Dearborn County employers are learning how a job can be a life saver for employees in recovery from substance use disorder.
In 2019, over 31,000 Hoosiers who needed substance use treatment did not seek help, citing a fear that it would negatively impact their job, according to the Wellness Council of Indiana. It is a statistic businesses right here in Dearborn County are helping to change.
The council partnered with Indiana Workforce Recovery and Indiana Chamber to hold the Employer Opioid Strategy Session at Ivy Tech Community College in Lawrenceburg on Monday, March 9. One Dearborn, Inc. was a proud presenter of the event.
Human resources professionals and community leaders heard from two people who have served jail time for drug crimes, but turned their lives around because they were able to attain employment skills and certifications, then put those skills to work for employers who took a chance and hired them.
“I needed somebody to believe in me,” said Brittany Young, a recovering addict who was recognized by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb in his 2019 State of the State address.
Aaron Spaulding with the Indiana Recovery Council shared about how the company who has employed him since 2007 overlooked the stigma attached to him as a convicted drug felon. That company has earned his loyalty in a time when many employers are struggling to retain employees.
Lawrenceburg Mayor Kelly Mollaun spoke about the Dearborn County Community Action Recovery Effort (CARE) Initiative system of care. Working with the recovery community and a family experience has changed his outlook of providing individuals a second chance.
CARE Initiative director Brenda Spade said more than $2 million in grant money has been secured, helping to establish four sober living homes in the county.
“We don’t need to be putting people in treatment facilities. We need to be teaching them to live in and be part of the community,” said Spade.
Today, more than 200 people are involved with the initiative’s workgroups.
HR department heads with local businesses learned how Indiana employers willing to employ and retain people with substance use disorder have the support to do so. In 2019, state lawmakers passed the HEA 1007, the Indiana Substance Use Treatment Law. It provides employers civil immunity for hiring or retaining individuals who fail drug tests and their use leads to an incident. The law requires an employee to voluntarily consent to a treatment plan, the cost of which can be shared between the employer and employee.
Mike Thibideau, director of Indiana Workforce Recovery and himself in recovery, stated his belief that Indiana is ahead of other states with HEA 1007.
“Employers must make sure that substance use disorder employees are engaged and feel important,” said Thibideau.
Two southeastern Indiana employers who have experienced success with second chance employee programs are Batesville Products, Inc. and Decatur Plastic Products, Inc. BPI has partnered with the Cincinnati Works program for a peer recovery coach to help not only substance use disorder or justice-involved employees, but other employees who face challenges to work, such as budgeting, transportation, family matters, and more.
Decatur Plastic Products has experienced an 89 percent success rate with second chance employees who stay with the company at least 90 days.
Employers who would like to learn more about second chance employment programs can learn more at www.wellnessindiana.org. To learn more about the Dearborn County CARE Initiative, visit www.dcincare.org.