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RECOVERY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

A 10-month learning community that built research skills towards greater peer workforce integration into the opioid recovery support system. Fellows represented diverse recovery roles: peers, peer supervisors, clinicians, trainers, advocates, other agency staff, graduate students, and staff researchers.  

Fellows met once a month at the University of Maryland, Baltimore between September 2022 - June 2023 to achieve these outcomes:

  • Develop a network with which to collaborate, including through participatory research 

  • Use research to uplift benefits of peer services towards greater workforce integration  

  • Gain deeper understanding of research processes and practices        

  • Use agency data to enhance program management, evaluation, and fundraising 

  • Apply research to improve not just peer services, but all recovery supports 

  • Develop and share findings from research towards community education and advocacy  

Learn more about the IRIS Fellowship by downloading the "Program Summary" and "Fellowship Monthly Topics."

Position Paper

This paper was a collaborative effort between IRIS staff and Fellows, based on a literature review, Fellows' inputs, and interviews with key stakeholders. The paper defines what is effective peer workforce integration (PWI), and identifies barriers to and facilitators for effective PWI. 

Download Position Paper Materials
One Sheet
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Learn From Fellows' Research

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Examining the Role of Peer Recovery Support Specialists in Supporting Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Jennifer Carrano, Research Scientist, Maryland Treatment Centers/Mountain Manor Treatment Center
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A Review of Literature on the Benefits of Peer Support Specialists in Treatment Settings Serving Women with Substance Use Disorder

Carressa Christian, Evolve Life Centers, Behavioral Health Consultant
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An Examination of Potential Knowledge Gaps in Emergency Department Providers Regarding SBIRT, Stigma, and Emergent Drugs

Paul Cooper, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, MedStar SBIRT Unit
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Treatment Refinements for Young Adults with Opioid Use Disorder: A Focus on Mental Health

Morgan Dease, Research Assistant, Maryland Treatment Centers/Mountain Manor Treatment Center
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Bridging the Gap: A Creative Initiative to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Addiction Through Multilingual Health Literacy Engagement 

Susan Eldridge, Marketing & Community Engagement Coordinator, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of the Clinical Director, Intramural Research Program
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Requirements for Peers to Become Certified in States Across the Country –  Where Does Maryland Stand?

Jessica Golembrosky, Training Coordinator, Voices of Hope
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Take the Hand That’s Reaching Out: Examining the Relationship Between Referral Source And Treatment Admission Within Peer-Delivered Mobile Crisis Services

Robert Hamm, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Harford Crisis Office of Mental Health
Emily Henlein.jpg

The Effect of a Survivor-Led Training about Intimate Partner Violence on Addictions Counselors in an Opioid Treatment Setting

Emily Heinlein, Clinical Research Assistant, University of Maryland School of Medicine
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Examining Perspectives of Clients Receiving and Staff Delivering Harm Reduction Services at a Community-Based Behavioral Health Care Organization

Timothy Ibutu, Program Manager, Substance Use/Co-Occuring Disorders, People Encouraging People
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Assessing the Ability of Peers Working at Recovery Re-entry Homes to Administer a Validated Measure for Activities of Daily Living

Xavier Justice, Trainer, Jordan Peer Recovery
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Tying the Knot: The Importance of Co-occurring Disorder Training Integration for Peers

Margaret Kaiser, Prevention Associate, Office of Drug Control Policy, Department of Community Services, Harford County 
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Peer Recovery Coaches in Healthcare: A Mixed Methods Study Assessing Financial Value, Perceptions, and Barriers for This Unique Role

Heather Raley, Behavioral Health Consultant, Mosaic Group
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Utilization of Peer-Delivered Harm Reduction Services Within a Rural County

Megan Sarikaya, Recovery Support & Harm Reduction Supervisor, Calvert County Health Department
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The Equitable Inclusion of Peer Research Assistants with Lived Experience in Substance Use: A Review of Existing Literature & Analysis of the Institutional Context of Peer Research Assistant Employment

Bradley Silberzahn, PhD Candidate, University of Texas, Austin
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Assessing the Need and Desirability of a Syringe Exchange Program: A Mixed Methods Study

Damain Teat, Peer Recovery Advocate, Paul's Place
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Examining Experiences of Clients with Co-Occurring Disorders Within a Treatment Center Utilizing an Integrated Service Model

Charmaine Thomas, Addictions Counselor, TIME Organization
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The Kids Aren’t Alright: Increasing Engagement in Adolescent Clubhouses through Peer Supported Substance Use Prevention and Intervention

Marcus Webster, Children & Youth Program Manager, Ashley Addiction Treatment
Questions about the Fellowship? Email Jon from IRIS at jon.gilgoff@ssw.umaryland.edu
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