Washington Alliance
for Quality Recovery Residences
Recordings
All past WAQRR events have been recorded and you can view them below. To keep up with WAQRR webinars, follow us on Youtube and be sure to subscribe to the WAQRR Channel.
Recovery Residence 101
We'll introduce providers and other stakeholders to our work creating a statewide registry of reviewed and accredited residences based on NARR's Quality Standards. We'll also discuss state licensing as it applies to those offering higher levels of care. Other topics will include fair housing, NIMBYism, and MOUD. This will be an excellent time to network with other providers and share best practices.
Presenters: WA State HCA Foundational Community Supports Team
The Foundational Community Supports (FCS) team at the Health Care Authority invites you to learn about the program’s supportive housing and supported employment services funded through the state’s 1115 Medicaid waiver. These innovative services allow community-based organizations to bill Medicaid for services that help eligible individuals find and maintain stable housing and employment. The presentation will cover what the services are, who is eligible, and how to become a provider, as well as provide a thorough overview of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – a new short-term housing subsidy created to help cover the costs of immediate housing needs during the transition into permanent housing, including first and last month’s rent, deposits, and other housing costs. HCA’s FCS team will also highlight other new and exciting initiatives involving FCS services during this informational session.
Funding for Recovery Residences
Presenters: WAQRR Board Chairman Alan Muia, WAQRR Board Member Carmin Long, and WAQRR Executive Director Jason Bliss.
This webinar will discuss the funding options available for sober housing in Washington State. We will be discussing creative ways that program residents will be able to investigate funding sources. Part of our time will also discuss Medicaid reimbursement through sober housing programs and funding opportunities available to WAQRR-accredited housing providers.
Private Landlord Toolkit
Presenters: Blair Gaston, WAQRR's Marketing and Engagement Coordinator and Sherri Candelario, WAQRR Board Member.
We will introduce you to the Private Landlord Toolkit - the essential resource for building strong relationships with landlords. During this webinar, you'll learn how to address common challenges, negotiate lease agreements, provide ongoing support, and promote positive tenant behavior.
CBHA Toolkit
Presenters: Blair Gaston, WAQRR's Marketing and Engagement Coordinator; and Milena Stott, LICSW, CDP, Outreach and Engagement Specialist Fletcher Group.
Navigating the World of CBHAs: How to Partner or become a BHA. Exploring the CBHA Toolkit. You'll learn the levels of care guidelines set by NARR to help you select the right path for your recovery residence. This is an excellent opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions and connect with others in the recovery community.
Understanding Depression and Anxiety
Attendees will better understand the difference between mental health problems and a diagnosable mental illness. Commonalities between Depression and Anxiety will be addressed along with signs and symptoms of each diagnosis pertaining to physical, behavioral, and psychological presentation. Attendees will be able to identify risk factors for developing depression and anxiety along ideas on how non-behavioral health professionals can help someone living with these conditions.
Stages of Change
Stages of Change: Understanding the Framework and Primary Tasks for Recovery Residents
The Stages of Change model of behavior change offers a practical understanding of an individual's readiness to embark on new, healthier behaviors. The model also provides strategies for helping guide the individual towards positive change. This webinar will provide an overview and development of the model, its theories, and a close look at each of the six stages. Additionally, we'll review the strategies and resources that staff can use to properly support individuals to continue moving forward through the stages.
Operationalizing Peer Support
Presented by: Stephanie Lane, Peer Workforce Development Officer with Peer Washington
Learn how to implement an evidence-based practice peer support program. Learn about supervision, WAC's and other guiding principles of the Washington State Certified Peer Counseling training program. We will also explore other non-Medicaid peer support programs.
Motivational Interviewing: Skills for Effective Communication in Recovery Residences
Defined as "a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person's own internal motivation and commitment to healthy change," Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a powerfully effective method for supporting those in early and sustained recovery. This presentation will provide an introduction to MI, the crucial 'spirit' of the technique, the communication methods involved, and the four core 'interviewing' skills. Recovery residence operators and staff will be able to take away a basic set of effective communication skills that encourage those in recovery to feel understood, supported, and motivated to sustain positive change.
Mindfulness Skills for Addiction Recovery
Presenter: Garrett Kostin, LICSW, SUDPT
This presentation will provide an introduction to mindfulness and related practices, including a brief overview of the research on their applicability and benefits for those in recovery from active substance use disorders. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a few short, guided mindfulness activities, learn how these practices can support relapse prevention and emotional stability, and receive tips and resources for introducing mindfulness activities in recovery residences for the improved well-being of both staff and residents.
Diversity- Train the Trainer (Shapes)
Do you live or work with different diverse populations? Are the different personalities of people making it hard to find harmony? This train the trainer event will give you not only tools to implement in your life, but skills on how to present them. Presented by Randi Breuer and Kathy Reim, this time will be well spent. We will cover a lot of ground but also have meaningful conversations and exercises to help you be successful within the other groups in your life.
Overdose Treatment and Response
Thea Oliphant-Wells, MSW, Public Health – Seattle & King County Program Manager presents for us on how to best respond to an overdose. She will cover signs of overdose, overdose risk factors, the changing drug supply, and how to respond to an overdose- including administering naloxone for someone who has overdosed on opioids.
Peer Counseling in Washington State
Stephanie Lane is the Chief Workforce Development Officer for Peer Washington, she will train on what it takes to be a Peer Counselor, the process, and what it's like to work as a Peer in WA State.
Walking with Residents Through Conflict
WAQRR February 2022 Webinar
One of the most important life skills our residents can learn in recovery is how to successfully navigate conflicts. Whether it's with housemate or family members, conflicts with others can drive a person to relapse, be a catalyst for more trusting relationships, or anything in between. Recovery residence operator and WAQRR chair Alan Muia will present on this most important topic. We'll discuss how conflict works and strategies for coaching residents through effective conflict resolution.
MAT/MAR in Recovery Housing
Garrett Kostin, MSW, provides valuable information on different types of MAT for opioid and alcohol-related substance use disorders, including best practices, advantages/ disadvantages, and recent developments and how this relates to recovery housing providers.
SHAPES- Understanding Diversity in Recovery Housing February 2022
By reflecting on our internal biases, we can take the journey towards working with people from all walks of life. This workshop will give us insight and tools to not only understand ourselves but how to best find harmony with those around us. This workshop will also include a lesson on diversity and how to be an ally to all. Randi Breuer leads us in this conversation on how we can work towards having the most successful environment possible in our recovery homes and other areas of our life.
Career Coaching and Workforce Development Webinar December 2021
Employment is often vital to recovery and at times, finding work can be difficult, especially if you have a criminal record. There are organizations and programs available to help. Attend this special presentation that provides information about where to look for employment and identifies community organizations and government programs that support those with previous criminal justice involvement find and keep work.
Recovery Housing Summit September 2021
We'll introduce providers and other stakeholders to our work creating a statewide registry of reviewed and accredited residences based on NARR's Quality Standards. We'll also discuss state licensing as it applies to those offering higher levels of care. Other topics will include fair housing, NIMBYism, and MOUD. This will be an excellent time to network with other providers and share best practices.
Trauma Informed Care
Join WAQRR in a discussion with Garrett Kostin and Milena Stott as we discuss the role of a trauma informed care approach to supporting individuals in recovery residences. This webinar will discuss how trauma informed care can revolutionize the way that providers approach the care of the residents.
Effective Supervision of House Managers
August 2021 Webinar
House managers and peer leaders play a vital role in the lives and recovery of residents as they are learning to navigate a sober life. House managers are often the first line of support for recovery residents. This webinar will discuss how we can effectively hire, support, and correct (when necessary) leaders in our residences. We will also be discussing how effective supervision will benefit house leaders personally and professionally.
April 2021 Best Practices in Working with Residents in Recovery from Co-Occurring Challenges
How do you know if you have the resources you need to support a prospective resident? What can you legally do to support all of your residents in your home communities? What do you need to know about mental health conditions in order to responsibly manage recovery residences.
We'll explore these and other crucial questions with Beth Fisher Sanders. Ms. Fisher Sanders has worked in the field of addictions since 1987 as a social worker specializing in the field of addiction recovery, and has particular interest and expertise in recovery residences. She is founder and CEO of a recovery residence system offering Levels 1-3 homes for men and women in Atlanta, GA , Charlotte, NC and Greenville, SC. In addition, she is a Charter Board Member and founding President of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, Beth sits on the editorial board of Addiction Professional magazine, and is a frequent contributor addressing issues related to recovery residences. Beth often speaks publicly on both a professional and personal basis about the power of community, for which she attributes much of her own long term recovery.
March 2021 NIMBYism (Not in My Back Yard)
This webinar explores issues related to neighborhood relations and neighbor resistance to recovery residences located in their vicinity. What does the law say? How can you build healthy relationships in your neighborhood? How can your residents help? Bring your success stories and ideas.
February 2021 Relapse Prevention Return to Use Policies in Recovery Residences
Relapse prevention as a technique to reduce the need to respond to relapse is discussed. What happens when one of our residents returns to use? This webinar will discuss the philosophies, implications, and effects of a variety of return to use policies. Guest presenters will be Danielle Gray and Erin Helms from Ohio Recovery Housing.
Update from the WA State Opioid Treatment Authority
January 2021
Join us for a timely presentation from Jessica Blose, WA State Opioid Treatment Authority who will be discussing the current state of the opioid crisis in our state. We will discuss how the pandemic has impacted the crisis, efficacy of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and current legal and policy guidance related to MOUD.
November 2020 What Makes A Recovery Residence?
This webinar will discuss the difference between a housing program and a recovery residency program. The topics will include the needs for a recovery residency program and how to implement them into your program.
Licensing and Medicaid Reimbursement
October 2020
If your organization offers specific services to residents, WA state licensure may be a great way to serve more residents and even receive reimbursement from Medicaid. Residence providers who operate homes within the NARR levels III and IV may be eligible for licensure and Medicaid funding. Come learn more about levels of care and what's involved in being licensed by the state.
Funding for Recovery Residences
October 2020
This webinar will discuss the funding options that are available for sober housing. We will be discussing creative ways that program residents will be able to look into funding sources. Part of our time will also be spent discussing Medicaid reimbursement through sober housing programs.
September 2020 WAQRR Accreditation
This webinar will discuss the Washington Alliance of Quality Recovery Residences (WAQRR) accreditation. We will discuss the benefits to a sober housing program acquiring this accreditation. This webinar will discuss the process to becoming a fully accredited house. We will also be discussing the different levels of care in the WAQRR accreditation.
Basic Mediation Skills for Recovery Residence Staff and Peer Leaders
The ability to resolve conflicts is one of the most important life skills that people can learn in a recovery home. Relationship difficulty can lead to isolation, anxiety, destructive behavior, and return to use. In this intensive seminar, residence staff and peer leaders will learn the basics of mediating interpersonal conflicts between residents. When a conflict is effectively mediated, participants make agreements that can decrease tension, begin the process of rebuilding trust, and lead to healthy relationships. We strongly recommend watching the “Walking with Residents Through Conflict webinar before you attend.