Contact(s): John Gardner, 715-221-8659
gardner.john@marshfieldclinic.org
Jeff Starck, 715-389-4978
starck.jeffrey@marshfieldclinic.org
Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Recovery Corps, the newest AmeriCorps program offered by Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach (CCO), will be launched in September to assist with those affected by substance abuse in northern Wisconsin.
MCHS Recovery Corps is recruiting 20 full-time AmeriCorps members to be placed and trained as recovery coaches throughout the region served by the HOPE Consortium to support individual and community-based recovery endeavors. HOPE Consortium is a partnership of 10 organizations that came together through Wisconsin’s HOPE legislation funding to address growing problems associated with opioid use disorders.
Substance abuse is a national issue that has gripped the northwoods particularly hard. The new AmeriCorps team is the latest example of the efforts taken by MCHS to combat substance abuse. Last November, Family Health Center of Marshfield (FHC) opened its new Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center in Minocqua.
“Substance abuse, particularly opioid abuse and methamphetamine use, is crippling our communities,” said Danielle Luther, CCO Substance Abuse manager. “The positive news is that there are solutions. There is hope and people do recover. Marshfield Clinic Health System and its staff are dedicated to developing these resources and helping people who struggle with a substance use disorder.”
HOPE Consortium places focus on detoxification, treatment, and recovery oriented systems of care to improve quality of life and reduce deaths associated with opioid addiction for residents in Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Price, and Iron counties or Forest County Potawatomi, Lac du Flambeau Chippewa, and Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Nations. Marshfield Clinic Health System including Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc. and Center for Community Outreach, provide support to the HOPE Consortium.
Individuals 19 years of age or older as of Sept. 11, 2017, with at least one year of lived direct or indirect experience with recovery from a substance use disorder are eligible to serve as MCHS Recovery Corps members. All members will receive training in AmeriCorps policies and procedures as well as training specific to their role as a recovery coach through the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery model of recovery coaching. Members receive living expenses and education awards in addition to other benefits. Members must commit to the full 1,700 hours of service, usually for a period of up to 12 months.
Host sites include Human Service Center, Rhinelander, Iron County Human Services & Associates, Hurley, Price County Health & Human Services, Phillips, Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc. – Alcohol & Drug Recovery Services, Minocqua and a main office in Minocqua serving all five counties and three tribes.
“AmeriCorps members have served the northwoods in a number of capacities for many years,” said Brian Blahnik, AmeriCorps manager. “The community is faced with a challenge and AmeriCorps will be here to serve and help those who are affected by substance abuse.”
To apply, visit http://marshfieldclinicamericorps.org and choose “Recovery Corps” under the Programs menu.
