Newswise — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing a new annual award program to honor organizations that do the most outstanding jobs of hosting National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) events. Each September Recovery Month provides a platform for communities and organizations throughout the country to highlight the social benefits of providing treatment and recovery services for substance abuse use and mental health conditions, and promotes the message that recovery is possible.
The Recovery Month Annual Event Award Program will recognize organizations that use innovative, collaborative approaches to inspire people within their communities to seek treatment for substance use and mental health conditions during Recovery Month and throughout the year. These events will also celebrate individuals and families in recovery as well as recovery service providers.
The Recovery Month Award Program will select the best possible organizational efforts based on standards that exemplify the dedication and hard work of Recovery Month event organizers in local communities.
There will be four Recovery Month event award categories:
Event Award Categories:
Rally and Walk/Run Events – examples include, but are not limited to, walks or runs, motorcycle/bicycle rides and rallies.Educational Events – examples include, but are not limited to, forums, town hall meetings, trainings, health fairs, movie or video discussion groups, provider or treatment center open houses with educational components and faith-based lectures or trainings.Special Celebrations – examples include, but are not limited to, art shows, picnics, cookouts, awards programs, concerts, open houses, entertainment events, communication/media events, sporting events, festivals, music or poetry jams, and worship or prayer services.SAMHSA-Sponsored Events – Events for which recipients received SAMHSA support for planning/conducting the event.
Annually, one winner from each category will be selected by an independent review panel. Organizations may only apply for one award category per year and award winners are not eligible to receive awards in consecutive years.
Organizations who wish to have their 2010 Recovery Month event considered for a Recovery Month Award Program award for this upcoming September must post their event on the Recovery Month Web site at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-Events.aspx and check the icon indicating interest in consideration for the Recovery Month Annual Event Award Program to receive the application form and required information by December 31, 2010.
Applications and additional required information is due no later than January 31, 2011. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel and winners will be notified in May 2011.
One winner from each category will be selected and travel arrangements and expenses will be paid for one person from each of the winning organizations to attend the 2011 Recovery Month luncheon to accept their 2010 Recovery Month Annual Event Award. Winners will also be highlighted on the Recovery Month Web site at www.recoverymonth.gov and through Recovery Month’s social networking initiatives such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and on SAMHSA’s Web site at www.samhsa.gov. In addition, information on the winners and their events will be submitted for publication as part of the Recovery Month activities to SAMHSA News, and SAMHSA’s ENetwork. Winning organizations will receive a “Recovery Month Event Award” banner to place on their Web site or use in their promotional material. For more information and to apply, please visit www.recoverymonth.gov.
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) has for 22 years recognized the accomplishments of people in recovery, the contributions of treatment providers and advances in substance use and mental health conditions treatment and recovery throughout the nation. For more information on Recovery Month or events visit http://www.recoverymonth.gov.
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
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