Optimizing the Vermont Recovery Residence Landscape

RURAL CHALLENGES IMAGE 1

A New Initiative To Promote Long-Term Recovery

The Fletcher Group is honored to collaborate with the state of Vermont to expand the quality, capacity, and effectiveness of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery residences.

In partnership with the Vermont Department of Health’s Division of Substance Use Programs, the Fletcher Group will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to create a comprehensive inventory of Vermont recovery residences and community recovery resources. 

As part of this work, we will be looking to recovery residence owners and operators, and other stakeholders throughout the recovery ecosystem, to help us understand the gaps, unique needs, and the potential for expansion of SUD recovery services in Vermont.

Over the next year we will be reaching out to community stakeholders to gain diverse perspectives to inform this work. Your experience is valued and appreciated.

Meet the Project Team

The following subject matter experts are committed to supporting Vermont’s SUD recovery services and may be reaching out to you, via email or phone, with surveys or interview requests.

ERNIE FLETCHER, MD
Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer

Fighter pilot, physician, statesman and healthcare visionary, Ernie was elected in 1998 to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives. In 2003, he was elected the 60th Governor of Kentucky. As the founder of the Fletcher Group, Ernie continues a legacy of public service and innovations in health and human services that promises to extend sustainable models of recovery service supports and recovery residences throughout rural America.

DAVID JOHNSON, MSW, ACSW
Chief Executive Officer

Dave has over 35 years of experience leading program development with a focus on holistic service models that address physical and mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health. He provides leadership in developing innovative programs and services for those experiencing a substance use disorder and health related social needs. His areas of expertise include value-based payment models, integrated care models, and research and evaluation with a focus on outcomes-informed care.

RACHAEL NICHOLS
Team Leader

Rachael assists recovery allies and recovery housing operators build effective programs and put together the financing necessary to support their clients in sustaining long term recovery. She collaborates with a wide range of partners to improve the capacity and quality of recovery housing and services throughout Ohio and her native Pennsylvania. Rachael previously resided in Washington, DC, where she helped raise capital improvement funds for one of the nation's largest school districts.

ROBIN THOMPSON, DrPH, MPH
Director of Research and Evaluation

Robin provides overall guidance and support to the research team. With over ten years of experience in public health research, she has expertise in mixed methods study design, survey development, and program evaluation. Dedicated to preventive medicine and promotion of healthy behaviors, she completed her MPH in Health Behavior and DrPH in Epidemiology from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health in 2014 and 2019, respectively.

MADISON ASHWORTH, PhD
Health Economist

As a health economist, Madison leads various research projects related to substance use disorder stigma, the economic impacts of recovery support services, and program evaluation. She has expertise in designing evaluation protocols, developing survey instruments, implementing data collection processes, completing complex statistical analyses, and using economic modeling for program evaluation. She earned her PhD in economics from the University of Wyoming in 2023.

GRACE CLANCY
Research Coordinator

A graduate of Portland State University, Grace helps evaluate the impact and effectiveness of recovery support services, with a focus on policies related to recovery housing, measurement of client outcomes and recovery capital. Her evaluation interests include the impact of Oregon’s drug decriminalization and the state’s expansion of recovery support services. Grace coordinates work underway on numerous research and evaluation projects.

Our Work

The Fletcher Group’s team of recovery ecosystem experts provide tailored no-cost Technical Assistance to rural organizations and communities. Our expertise spans behavioral health integration, community/stakeholder development, criminal justice SUD initiatives, recovery programs/models, program evaluation, and sustainable funding models.

Click here to visit our website and see the many ways in which we can help you build an effective recovery ecosystems in your community.

Click here to directly contact one of our Outreach and Engagement Specialists who will e-meet with you to address your organization’s individual needs.

Resources

Recovery residences interested in expanding the quality and capacity of their programs may find the following resources helpful.

This web page is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3.3 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.