Recovery Oriented Employment Services (ROES)

Recovery Oriented Employment Services (ROES) Program

The DMHAS funded Recovery Oriented Employment Services (ROES) Program integrates recovery support with vocational tools for recoverees in the Hartford, Willimantic, and New London areas. ROES is a three-pronged approach to helping individuals in early recovery from alcohol or other drugs find employment. The seven week curriculum infuses recovery principles into vocational training. The program also connects participants (recoverees) with one-on-one support through CCAR’s Telephone Recovery System (TRS) and offers volunteer opportunities at CCAR’s Recovery Community Centers.

Individuals who are in either in-patient or out-patient are eligible for the program. CCAR is collaborating with a treatment provider on the project. The treatment provider gauges who is appropriate for the program, connects recoverees to other vocational programs, case manages their efforts at finding a job, and refers recoverees to treatment or other services.

CCAR’s ROES Curriculum, Recovery Works, is based on a seven module open-ended training designed to allow individuals to rotate in and out of the modules. ROES recoverees complete evaluation forms consisting of fill-in and multiple choice questions after each module. These evaluations confirm the success of the trainings; 91% of recoverees answered excellent or very good to their multiple choice evaluation questions.

Module One: Financial Basics and Time Management

Things recoverees learned from Module One Training are how to budget funds correctly, about living and fixed expenses, the difference between internal and external motivators for reaching goals, and how to make good use of time.

Module Two: Employment Risks for Early Recovery

Things recoverees learned from Module Two Training were to be more confident, recovery thinking, control attitude, learned to acknowledge self, triggers one may encounter at work, to be more assertive and say no, self knowledge, and saying things in a positive way.

Module Three: Transferable Skills and Resume Development

Things recoverees learned from Module Three Training were how to prepare an employment application, better ways to write a resume, how different wording can sound more effective, action verbs, looking at one’s self, acknowledging skills, and they do have qualifications that can be used in the workplace.

Module Four: Cover Letter & Job Search Strategies

Things recoverees learned from Module Four Training are how to search internet for jobs, that it is OK to call employers to follow up, they should always dress the part, cover letter should match resume heading, cover letter should highlight past responsibilities, how to do follow up letter, template for cover letters, snag-a-job website and posting resume on-line.

Module Five: Interview Skills

Things recoverees learned from Module Five Training are thank you letter, how to speak to employers, how to handle criminal history, ways to word past mistakes, to make sure they know their record, how to talk and what questions to ask at an interview, closing the interview, to send a thank you letter, and how to put their talents into a sentence.

Module Six: Recovery Thinking into Workplace Ethics

Things recoverees learned from Module Six Training are personal value beliefs and actions, how values shape their lives, work and career values for success, to look inside themselves, their qualities to offer in the work place, and think about situations before acting.

Module Seven: Common Work Challenges

Things recoverees learned from Module Seven Training were how to resolve conflict, express feelings, communicate in work environments, frame issues, different ways to communicate, and control feelings to handle conflicts.

Testimonials

One graduate needed the confidence to believe in himself.

“The program was a re-education for me, a kind of back to basics. Before the ROES Program I didn't have the slightest clue on how to successfully compose a resume, nor the pertinent information needed to put into it. I learned I was selling my self short; revising my resume gave me more confidence in my self and the things I accomplished. Once upon a time before my drug use, I did have a successful business and just because I don't have it now, doesn't mean it can't be reacquired. It's programs like these that give people in similar circumstances to mine, a second chance, if there willing to help themselves.”

Another graduate’s road to employment was a stepping stone in his recovery. He participated in CCAR All Recovery meetings and received vocational coaching for a year before finding employment.

“CCAR has helped me a great deal with all aspects of computer uses and application concerning resume, job hunting through job boards, posting resumes, uploading 31/2 floppy to send to perspective employers. All of which I had no idea how to accomplish prior to CCAR’s training through the ROES Program. I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to experience their training and having a place that respects the needs of someone like me who was confused and fearful in early recovery as to how I was going to put my life back together. Their patience and understanding has enriched my life today. My hope for my future is that I will be able to pay it forward.”

This graduate recently participated in a rigorous round of competitive interviews. She revisited the ROES training materials to practice for the interview and believes these materials prepared her to stand out from other candidates.

“I had a long and successful career as a registered nurse until the day my alcohol problem took charge of my life. I had an accident after drinking and was arrested for my third Driving Under the Influence (DUI). I spent 14 months in jail at the York Correctional Institute. While I was there, I met CCAR staff members and became involved with the ROES Program after leaving prison. This program gave me the confidence to overcome my shame as a convicted felon. Recently an agency that provides alcohol and drug treatment hired me as a nurse manager. I feel so grateful to be working in my occupation and to be able to give back to individuals who are just entering recovery.”

Recovery Friendly Business Coalition Resources for Print (link to pdf format)

Fostering Recovery and a Drug Free Workplace marketing flyer

CCAR’s Recovery Friendly Business Press Kit

Connecticut Department of Labor “Recovery Friendly Designation” directions.
(For employers to list job announcements free of charge on the Dept. of Labor website).

• CCAR Main Office
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• CCAR Recovery Community Centers