216 Exploring the development of recovery community organizations in non-metropolitan settings: A community-engaged multiple-methods approach

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Rural recovery community organizations (RCOs) are key to fostering people’s resilience in the face of the nation’s substance use crisis. However, their development is often a black box. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A community-engaged multiple-methods approach was conducted to elucidate stakeholders' perspectives about the creation of two RCOs through a consortium intended to build peer recovery support services in a rural Southern Indiana designated health professional shortage area. Document review (e.g., meeting minutes, event photography, and administrative reports) were extracted to map activities, products, and milestones of the development of the RCOs. Consortium members, RCO leadership and staff, and community members identified by consortium or RCO leadership/staff participated in one-on-one interviews or community roundtable sessions were held to reflect on the evolving development of the RCOs. Procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Indiana University. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This designated health professional shortage area is unique as it is the nonmetropolitan county with two accredited RCOs. Each RCOs has its own distinct brand. One RCO primarily provide support services to prepare justice-involved individuals who are re-entering the community from jail or probation. The second RCO operates a recovery café – a drug free space that offers accountability groups (recovery circles), volunteer opportunities, and multiple pathway (e.g., 12-steps, referral to medication assisted treatment) meetings. Services are facilitated through peer recovery coaches. Services are provided by certified peer recovery coaches (individuals who has lived experience with addiction and recovery) who offers informational, socio-emotional, and instrumental/basic needs support. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This collaborative rural-based model features recovery community organizations as emerging lead agencies in providing informational, socio-emotional, and basic needs for individuals living in long-term recovery as well as individuals using substances and is not yet in recovery services or acknowledging an addiction is present.