Addressing two crises at once:

Recently, I joined Representative Pramila Jayapal and Senator Edward Markey to reintroduce legislation to break down barriers to employment for people in recovery and fund local organizations to help address the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage.

This legislation would:

• Create job opportunities for people affected by substance use. This includes helping workers move into careers that support others in recovery, such as addiction treatment, peer support, pain management, emergency response, or mental health care.
• Offer real support, not just a job listing. Participants would have access to treatment, peer mentors, networking opportunities, and help connecting with other federal, state, Tribal, or local assistance programs.
• Work with employers. This means helping businesses create training programs and find practical ways to hire and support workers in recovery.
• Help people build lasting careers. This includes job training, professional skill-building, and covering costs like job applications, testing fees, and certifications that can otherwise stand in someone's way.
• Track what works. Programs would be built around approaches with a proven track record, and outside experts would independently review results to make sure the program is helping people and communities.
• Ensure these programs and stakeholders have the funding they need to succeed. The bill would reauthorize and expand a pilot grant program and provide a total of $187.5 million in funding for state and local workforce development boards so they can partner with treatment providers, employers, education providers, Tribal organizations, legal services organizations, and other community-based organizations. These partnerships would support individuals impacted by substance use through innovative, wraparound services designed to help them succeed.

This work builds on efforts I have led for several years. This epidemic has touched families in every corner of Northwest Washington, and I remain committed to doing the work required to address it, from supporting people in recovery to cutting off the trafficking networks that fuel this crisis. I will continue to update you as this legislation moves forward.

More soon,

Rick