An exterior view of Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress Bartholomew County in Columbus.
What could be the country’s first educational apprenticeship program for house managers at addiction recovery houses will be established in Columbus.
A $500,000 grant will allow participants who successfully complete one year of training achieve certification as a Recovery Residence House Manager, according to a news release from the Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board. Demand for these services are expected to grow by as much as 20% over the next decade, the release states.
The money will come from a funding opportunity established last year called a “Behavioral Health Workforce Innovation” grant, the release states. While administered by the state, the news release states the grant money originates from the federal “American Rescue Plan.”
The apprenticeship program is a joint undertaking of Work One (Indiana Department of Workforce Development), the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress (ASAP) in Bartholomew County and Ivy Tech Community College, ASAP director Sherri Jewett said.
While certain this is the first apprenticeship of its kind in Indiana, Jewett said she is unaware of others like it existing elsewhere in the U.S. After the program is developed and refined, it may serve as a model that can be followed in other communities, she said.
The workforce investment board will partner with Mental Health America of Indiana for the initiative to improve the regional substance abuse recovery system by building a peer recovery network, the news release states. Organizers say the peer recovery system is a good career fit for those in recovery who want to help others through their recovery journey.
House managers are critically important because they are responsible for building a culture of recovery, as well as ensuring that participants get the support needed to maintain their sobriety, Jewett said.
Key areas of learning will include direct responsibilities such as administering drug screens, first aid and assigning housekeeping chores. But there are broader responsibilities that include interacting with referral sources such as the court systems and health care providers, Jewett said.
“The training provides (house managers) with basic understanding and knowledge on how to identify what stage people are at in their recovery, and how to help move them forward,” Jewett said.
House managers also take the lead in making sure the recovery residence fits well within the neighborhood, she said.
Those who accept the position of a house manager will likely be asked to live in the home. Jewett said she believes a house manager should also have personal experience with recovery, which allows them to connect with residents on a deeper level.
“In addition to helping recovering addicts be successful in maintaining their sobriety, this program will open up job opportunities for people in recovery,” Jewett said.
When asked what she considered the ideal candidate, the ASAP director said it should be someone in recovery long enough to understand some of the pitfalls and danger areas. The house manager should also be able to recognize some behaviors that may indicate a person is beginning to struggle, and understand how to address those behaviors.
“It’s really someone who is in tune with the residents,” she said.
As the lead applicant on the grant, Work One will be the location for people interested in applying. Ivy Tech personnel will assist Work One in helping individuals get through the application process, Jewett said.
