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Drug-Free Workforce Promising Practice
"IHR promotes collaboration between agencies and service delivery systems that may not traditionally
be expected to work together—we have the reputation for making the system work."
-Enid Watson
Substance Abuse/Vocational Specialist
Institute for Health and Recovery
The Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) is the Massachusetts non-profit agency with the most
experience working across substance abuse treatment and workforce development systems.
Incorporated in 1990, IHR provides research, program development, systems building,
technical assistance, consultation and training on substance abuse, mental health and violence/trauma issues,
with a particular focus on women, children and families. Services are provided locally, regionally and across the state.
Since its inception, IHR has been contracted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health/
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to provide specialized substance abuse services
(including tobacco cessation) for women and children, with special emphasis on capacity building and
systems development.
IHR’s educational/vocational resources enhance client economic self-sufficiency,
help clients remain stable in their recovery and reduce criminal recidivism.
For example, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
IHR’s Substance Abuse/Vocational Specialist, Enid Watson, developed A Pre-Vocational
Handbook for Women in Treatment, which gradually integrates work-related skills and
tasks into the substance abuse treatment setting as clients prepare for eventual
economic self-sufficiency. Both clients and clinicians report that the Handbook
is extremely beneficial. Women who complete the curriculum report increased
self-esteem and confidence in handling many of the difficult challenges inherent
to a job search or career change. “The information is extremely pertinent in helping
people in recovery reenter the workforce so they can become productive and contributing
members of society,” said one IHR program participant. Another said that the guidance
helped her "learn how to turn weaknesses into positives and how to fill in work gaps.”
According to treatment providers the Handbook’s instructions are clear and easy to follow for
implementation.
In delivering its services, IHR collaborates with state agencies responsible for public health,
including maternal and children's health, child welfare, housing, mental health, corrections
and the justice system. IHR also strives to build bridges between the substance abuse treatment
community, homeless family shelters and workforce development agencies.
Want to learn more?
Enid Watson, M.Div.
Substance Abuse/Vocational Specialist
Institute for Health and Recovery
349 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139,
Phone: (617) 661-3991
E-mail: asap2@healthrecovery.org
Internet: www.healthrecovery.org
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