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November 18, 2021  |  Volume 6, Issue 45
ARC NEWS
ARC INSPIRE Initiative Awards $5.5 Million to 17 Recovery-to-Work Projects
This week, ARC's INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) initiative awarded $5.5 million to projects addressing substance use disorder (SUD) through the expansion of community recovery ecosystems. 

INSPIRE awardees will support the SUD recovery-to-employment continuum in seven Appalachian states by training and certifying recovery specialists, establishing cross-sector community recovery partnerships, expanding peer recovery support networks, launching recovery-to-work programs with a full spectrum of services, and more.
In just seven months, ARC's INSPIRE initiative has awarded $14.9 million to 47 projects addressing substance use disorder in Appalachia

We plan to request project proposals for a third round of funding this winter.
The substance use disorder crisis isn’t only a health and family issue—it’s a workforce issue. The devastating impacts of this crisis also have severe economic impacts, keeping many Appalachians of prime working age from participating in the labor force and contributing to the Region’s economic growth,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin.
PARTNER PROFILE
Meet Our INSPIRE Partners
Across Appalachia, ARC INSPIRE partners are creating community recovery ecosystems to address substance use disorder. One incredible example is Philip Cooper in Asheville, North Carolina.

For Philip, INSPIRE Coordinator at Land of Sky Regional Development Council, recovery isn't just a job – it’s a personal, lifelong commitment.

Watch the video above and read Philip's story to learn how he uses his lived experience to help Appalachians recover and re-enter the workforce. 

For more inspiring stories, check out the ARC partners below ⬇️ 
Pike County Health Department: Helping Workers Rebuild

REBUILD participants will develop woodworking skills and create beds for community members in need. 
 
Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board: Creating Hope Through Careers

Career Continuum for Hope will hire a peer support specialist to recruit and guide workers through job training and workforce reentry. 
 
Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery: Providing Tailored Treatment

POWER provides gender-responsive treatment to help women reclaim their lives from addiction.   
COMMUNITY
Rural Health and Business Resources
National Rural Health Day

One-fourth (107) of Appalachia's counties are classified as rural. To bridge health gaps, WV Junior College is bringing education opportunities directly to rural areas with a mobile nursing lab.
 
Small Communities, Big Ideas Conference

This week, ARC joined several partners to discuss big ideas that work in WV communities (and could benefit other areas in Appalachia!). Follow the convo at #wvsolutions.

 
Investing in Rural Prosperity

This report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis outlines a framework for successful rural development and offers helpful community case studies. 
AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Community Building Programs
On November 30, join a virtual workshop hosted by the Interagency Working Group on Coal an Power Plant Communities, along with federal agencies and state officials, to discuss pathways for economic revitalization in Kentucky. 

Attendees will learn about connecting their communities to federal resources and have an opportunity to join breakout sessions following the program.

Register here
Community Capacity-Building Pilot: Bank of Credits 

ARC seeks proposals from qualified organizations to provide assistance to communities deploying American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars.

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on January 14, 2022.
 
EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

What Does the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Mean for Energy Communities?
November 19, 2021

Revitalizing Kentucky's Energy Communities
November 30, 2021

All Events

Please submit any events you'd like to see listed here to conferences@arc.gov.
ARC's In the Region Newsletter will not publish on November 25th due to Thanksgiving! We will be back on December 2nd.
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Appalachian Regional Commission
1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009-1068


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