This project, entitled Biehl Bridges to Recovery “Advancing Health Equity through Economic Stabilization within the Recovery Community”, was led by Marinette County Group Home Association and expanded the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) model in Marinette County and across Wisconsin to address substance use challenges and employment barriers for individuals in recovery. Through employer training and direct support services, the initiative connected individuals to sustainable employment and recovery resources while building a more coordinated, recovery-oriented system of care.
The Challenge
Marinette County is ranked among the least healthy counties in Wisconsin and faces significant challenges related to substance use. Rates of alcohol misuse are high, with 25 percent of adults in Wisconsin reporting binge drinking, and Marinette County ranking among the top counties for alcohol-related driving deaths. Opioids continue to be a major concern, with an opioid death rate of 14.6 per 100,000 and opioid-related hospital discharge rates higher than the Northeast Wisconsin regional average. Methamphetamine use and related deaths are also increasing disproportionately in Marinette County compared to the rest of the state.
Individuals in recovery represent a significant population facing health inequities. Substance use disorders remain a critical issue, and while recovery is possible with the right support, many individuals face barriers to long-term stability. One of the most significant challenges is obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment. Individuals in recovery, particularly those impacted by the criminal justice system, often face gaps in work history, limited education or training, lack of structure and support and employer stigma. Marinette County’s unemployment rate (7.8%) is higher than the state average (6.3%), further highlighting these challenges.
Project Goals
Their initiative aimed to support individuals in recovery, as well as employers, to connect individuals with sustainable employment. They achieved these aims through five specific goals:
Provide training and technical assistance to workplaces on the topics of recovery.
Connect workplaces with formal and informal support.
Support recovery for the workforce.
Provide mechanisms for community voice of those most impacted.
Provide recovery support and resource mobilization to individuals served.
Results
Biehl Bridges to Recovery and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension expanded the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) model across Wisconsin, training 11 businesses and reaching 5,230 individuals through presentations, trainings and community engagement efforts. The team also provided technical assistance to organizations locally, statewide and nationally, helping to grow awareness and adopt recovery-supportive workplace practices.
The project strengthened community capacity by developing and disseminating key resources, including a publicly available RFW toolkit, regional resource guides for mental health and substance use services and a “We Care” card addressing common community needs. These tools have been accessed and utilized by a range of organizations, including public health departments, recovery organizations and behavioral health providers seeking to implement recovery-friendly practices.
Direct services and support were also expanded. The program screened 144 individuals for eligibility and connected them to substance use treatment and community resources, while also providing case management and recovery coaching through a team of three full-time recovery coaches. Participants received pre-employment support, including resume assistance, job readiness training and referrals to workforce development programs, resulting in 87 referrals to the Department of Workforce Development’s Career Navigator program.
Lasting Impact
This work has laid a strong foundation for sustaining recovery-friendly practices across Marinette County and beyond. By training employers, developing practical tools and increasing awareness of the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) model, the project has helped shift how recovery is understood, helping establish a long-term, whole-life process supported by workplaces and communities.
The resources developed through this initiative, including the toolkit, training materials and community resource guides, will continue to be used by employers, public health partners and recovery organizations to support individuals in recovery. In addition, the relationships built between employers, recovery coaches and community partners have created a more connected and responsive support system that can continue beyond the grant period.
