Jobs & Hope WV Receives $1 Million Dollar ARC Grant to Expand Recovery-Friendly Workplaces Across West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jobs & Hope West Virginia has been awarded a $1 million grant as a subrecipient through The Fletcher Group as part of Connect Appalachia, a multi-state initiative funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) ARISE grant program.
Connect Appalachia was developed and led by The Fletcher Group, which brought together multiple states to apply for ARISE funding and advance a coordinated regional strategy focused on expanding recovery-friendly workplaces and strengthening economic opportunity across Appalachia.
This five-year, multi-state initiative is designed to support the hiring of individuals in recovery, increase workforce participation rates and optimize productivity for participating employers. Through this funding, Jobs & Hope WV will support West Virginia’s role in the broader regional effort by equipping employers with the tools and resources needed to implement recovery-friendly workplace practices.
As part of the initiative, Jobs & Hope WV will support an estimated 83 businesses annually that register for Recovery Friendly Workplace trainings. These trainings provide education and guidance to employers on best practices for fostering workplaces that understand and accommodate the unique needs of employees in recovery.
An estimated 63 businesses each year are expected to achieve measurable improvements through the adoption of recovery-friendly workplace practices, demonstrating a commitment to building supportive workplace cultures that reduce stigma and promote long-term employment success.
“We are proud to partner with the Appalachian Regional Commission and The Fletcher Group on this impactful initiative,” said Deb Harris, Manager of the Jobs & Hope WV program. “This funding will allow us to expand our reach, strengthen our partnerships with employers, and continue creating pathways to meaningful employment for West Virginians in recovery.”
Jobs & Hope WV works statewide to remove barriers to employment for individuals affected by substance use disorder, justice involvement and other life challenges by connecting them to education, training, recovery support and career opportunities.
For more information about Jobs & Hope WV and Recovery Friendly Workplace trainings, visit jobsandhope.wv.gov.
About Jobs & Hope West Virginia
Jobs & Hope WV is a statewide program dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and build sustainable careers through comprehensive support services, employer partnerships and workforce development opportunities. The program works collaboratively with businesses, community organizations and state agencies to create recovery-friendly, inclusive workplaces across West Virginia.
About the Fletcher Group
Decidedly different right from the start, the Fletcher Group applies a uniquely entrepreneurial approach to helping people move from the disease of addiction and the devastation of homelessness to lives of hope, dignity, and fulfillment. Staffed by financial, technical, business, and treatment experts, the Fletcher Group provides organizations, communities, counties, and states with an extensive suite of highly innovative and adaptable professional services—everything from technical assistance and ground-breaking research to program evaluation and project management.
Combined with a laser-like focus on what works best in the real world of SUD recovery, the Fletcher Group’s growing nationwide impact (over 5,000 clients, nearly 4,000 training participants, and more than 13,000 technical assistance encounters) has enabled the company to serve as a field catalyst, leading the way to an exciting new era in addiction recovery. To learn more about how the Fletcher Group is helping make a real difference in people’s lives, visit the Fletcher Group website at www.fletchergroup.org.
About Connect Appalachia
Connect Appalachia is a multi-state initiative created to drive large-scale economic transformation by supporting job readiness and job placement for Appalachians participating in SUD treatment and recovery programs. The initiative applies a Recovery-Ready Workplaces training and education model to help build and strengthen local recovery ecosystems, reduce workforce gaps, and expand economic opportunity across the Appalachian region
About ARC
Formed by a partnership of the federal government with 13 state governments, the Appalachian Regional Commission provides grants, publishes research, and sponsors learning experiences to help Appalachian communities seize opportunity, address economic disparity, and advance prosperity. ARC’s leadership includes the governors from each of the 13 Appalachian states and a Federal Co-Chair who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Dedicated to creating jobs and strengthening the economies of 423 counties across 13 states, ARC’s unique structure ensures that every investment is made in partnership with state leadership. Since its establishment in 1965, ARC has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in ARISE projects with recent awards covering areas like disaster recovery, cybersecurity training, and tourism. For detailed FAQs about ARC, including information on how to apply for grants and links to recorded webinars that explain the application process, visit the ARC Website at www.arc.gov.
About ARISE
The Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies is a multi-state initiative launched and funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission to drive regional economic transformation through large-scale, collaborative projects across multiple states. Since January of 2023, $188.6 million has been invested in 69 projects impacting all 13 Appalachian states. Those investments are projected to create or retain over 22,300 jobs, leverage more than $274.6 million in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare nearly 16,000 workers and students for opportunities in broadband development, workforce education, and manufacturing.
