NASHUA – Recently, Harbor Care hosted a roundtable discussion on substance use and recovery with US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra and local community leaders, including Congresswoman Annie Kuster and Nashua’s Mayor Jim Donchess. Occurring at Harbor Care’s Community Health Center, located at 45 High Street in Nashua, Secretary Becerra invited roundtable attendees to ask question related to HHS priorities around substance use treatment and recovery supports. Attendees’ questions ranged from how the federal government will ensure New Hampshire residents continue to gain access to quality treatment and recovery services, to current workforce shortages and reimbursement challenges. Many in attendance praised the recent advancements in telehealth as a means to provide care to those most in need and least likely to have access to in-person services. They stressed that telehealth is a lifeline to many in the community with hopes it will continue to be a permanently available option.

Recovery Community Centers, a relatively newer type of non-clinical service provider in New Hampshire that uses peers to deliver supports to individuals in recovery, were lauded by Peter Kelleher, CEO and President of Harbor Care, in his opening remarks.

He reflected on the power of partnerships and what has changed in New Hampshire’s recovery community over the recent years, stating, “I think we have a powerful asset today that is guiding us: a recognition that the opportunities to enter recovery have never been greater. Not only is there much more treatment available in our community, but throughout New Hampshire, we’ve seen Recovery Community Organizations fully take their place as pillars of recovery. These centers and the peer support services they provide are a key part of our entire State’s strategy to building a sustainable recovery and resiliency-oriented system of care.”

Harbor Care serves as New Hampshire’s capacity builder of Recovery Community Organizations, helping stand up and provide backend supports to twenty Recovery Community Centers across the state.

Besides staff and board members from Harbor Care, other roundtable participants included Jessica Parnell, Executive Director of ReVive Recovery; Cynthia Whitaker, President and CEO of Greater Nashua Mental Health; Kristin Makara, Director of The Doorway of Greater Nashua; Chris Stawasz, Regional Director of American Medical Response; Greg White, CEO of Lamprey Health; Casey Caster, Executive Director of Nashua Youth Council; John Jurczyk, President of St Joseph’s Hospital; Hon. Jacalyn A. Colburn, Recovery Court Judge with Hillsborough County South Adult Recovery Court; Daisy Pierce, Executive Director of Navigating Recovery; and Bobbie Bagley, Director of Public Health, City of Nashua. Congressional staff and staff from various Health and Human Services agencies, including the US Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, were also at the event.

Headquartered in Nashua, Harbor Care is a nonprofit organization that provides critical housing, medical and behavioral health care, and supportive services to address social determinants of health that are foundational to the success of 5,000 community members throughout New Hampshire. Designated as an EnVision Center by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Harbor Care is one of the largest providers of supportive housing for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, including veterans. Its unique Health & Wellness Center provides integrated medical, behavioral, residential and outpatient substance use treatment services, and dental care for individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay for services. The organization also offers homecare, HIV/ AIDS services, employment services, and is the “Facilitating Organization” of New Hampshire’s Recovery Community Centers, providing funding, capacity building and technical assistance. To learn more about Harbor Care, visit: www.harborcarenh.org.

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