Dear Recovery Champion,
As we reach the end of 2023, I want to express my gratitude to you and our fellow community members. It has been a year filled with transformative change and connection, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this incredible community.
In the new year, we have much to look forward to as we celebrate WRA's 10th anniversary, advocate fiercely for statewide and local change, and deepen relationships with more community partners and individuals throughout the state. We will continue to build on the past year's momentum and make even more significant strides toward behavioral health and peer equity in 2024.
Thank you for your commitment, passion, and unwavering dedication to our beautiful recovery community. It is truly an honor to be here with all of you, and I can't wait to see what we will achieve in the year ahead.
Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
Warmly,
Monika Whitfield Executive Director Washington Recovery Alliance
Legislative Priorities 2024
After several months of deliberation, the WRA Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors have identified the following areas to advocate for in 2024:
Fund the acquisition of properties for recovery housing with the capital budget
Ricky's Law reform: Ease roadblocks to expand utilization of involuntary commitment for substance use disorder
Amend the certified peer specialist statute established in SB 5555 to re-add section 4 to create a Peer Advisory Committee that was vetoed by the Governor
Proposed legislation on inpatient SUD treatment reform with changes to discharge criteria, MOUD access, and insurance coverage
Amend the harm reduction language enacted under SB 5536 to address concerns with siting issues and legal protections for harm reduction providers
Designating and funding a lead agency for school-based behavioral health
Finance behavioral health care coordination as performed by community health workers
You can learn more about each of these priorities on the WRA website and join the movement for change at Recovery Advocacy Day (RAD) 2024!
January Advocacy Events
Elevate | Recovery Advocacy Training
The Washington Recovery Alliance is hosting a free and virtual 2-hour Elevate Recovery Advocacy Training. At this training, we will help participants develop their skills in sharing their recovery story and learn more about the legislative process.
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 2024
TIME: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
WHERE: Virtual
Recovery Advocacy Day 2024
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 2024
TIME: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
WHERE: Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Recovery Advocacy Day (RAD) is the Washington Recovery Alliance's annual citizen action event, where we bring together hundreds of people in the recovery community from across the state to engage their lawmakers in conversations about legislative changes that would improve our behavioral health system. We concentrate our community’s power to advocate for things like recovery coaching, employment supports, behavioral health workforce development, and peer support services.
The day will include:
Meeting with your lawmakers to share your story and advocate for pro-recovery policy change
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided throughout the day
Opportunities to connect with recovery advocates from across our state
Recovery in Action activities, such as an interactive art booth, card writing station, overdose prevention & response training with free naloxone, and more!
Registration is required for this event. Once you complete this form, the WRA will arrange meetings with your state lawmakers on your behalf. We schedule these meetings by Legislative District using the address you list on registration. If you are unsure which Legislative District you are in, please use the link HERE to check. Make sure to complete the registration to receive updates. For more information, contact tristan@washingtonrecoveryalliance.org
As you consider your end-of-year giving, please don't forget about our recovery community. The Washington Recovery Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides critical support, advocacy and resources for individuals and families affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental health challenges. Your donation will go a long way in helping us continue our decade-long mission of making recovery a reality for all. As a registered charitable organization, your contribution is tax-deductible, so you can make an impact while receiving a tax benefit. Thank you for considering a donation to the Washington Recovery Alliance.
From all of us at the WRA, we wish you and yours a happy and healthy close to 2023. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!
