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Peer Support for Recovery

Hamot Health Foundation helped lay the groundwork for a new program at Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot by funding state-sanctioned training for the supervision of certified recovery specialists.


A certified recovery specialist is a staff person and also a peer who is trained to support individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorder. They have an especially unique role because these individuals are people who are in recovery themselves. This helps them help others by sharing their own recovery stories, linking individuals to resources for recovery, and utilizing their experiences to inspire hope and connection.

Vicki Church Recovery Specialist

A new certified recovery specialist, Vicki Church, was hired at Safe Harbor this summer and is already supporting individuals seeking recovery. The program complements existing work being done by Addiction Medicine Services, but it adds a person with a valuable recovery perspective and the ability to engage credibly with individuals in their wellness journey.

The certified recovery specialist is a strong addition to the Women’s Recovery Center team, another program at Safe Harbor that has received immense support from Hamot Health Foundation and the Board of Corporators. Vicki's experiences include overcoming substance use disorder while parenting, helping women see possibilities beyond their current situations, and finding a peer who shares in common goals and dreams for their families.

You can support this and other behavioral health programs by donating to the Safe Harbor Behavioral Health Fund at Hamot Health Foundation.

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