South Middlesex Times

Rutgers Health, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), has introduced the Pathways to Recovery website. This platform aims to assist New Jersey residents affected by the opioid crisis in finding employment within supportive workplaces and helps employers become certified as Recovery-Friendly Workplaces.

The website offers resources for individuals in recovery and employers, including connections to organizations that link grantees with employers, application guidelines for obtaining the Recovery-Friendly Workplace credential, and testimonials from individuals in recovery alongside success stories.

“Employment is fundamental for people to maintain their recovery. However, often there is fear or stigma related to employing people who are in recovery,” said Nina Cooperman, associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who leads the project for Rutgers Health. “A recovery-friendly employer is knowledgeable about how to support their employees’ recovery long term as well as how to recognize if an employee has a substance use disorder and facilitate support.”

This initiative is part of Pathways to Recovery, a statewide program designed to help New Jersey residents impacted by the opioid crisis secure stable employment through training opportunities and supportive services.

“As New Jersey continues to address the opioid epidemic, it’s crucial that we create pathways to sustainable employment for those in recovery,” stated Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “NJDOL’s partnership with Rutgers Health has been vital to this effort, and the new Pathways to Recovery website is a critical tool for providing the resources and support needed to foster understanding and inclusivity in the workplace. Together, we can build a workforce that values and supports recovery, paving the way for healthier communities across New Jersey.”

The Pathways to Recovery program was initiated in 2019 as part of Governor Phil Murphy’s strategy against the state’s opioid crisis. Initially targeting six counties most affected by opioids, it expanded statewide by 2024. Since its inception, over 1,600 employer partnerships have been established, serving more than 4,350 participants.

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Division of Addiction Psychiatry has played a key role since 2019 in bridging gaps between employers and grantees through Pathways to Recovery. The program's toolkit addresses stigma faced by individuals entering the workforce post-recovery while guiding employers on creating supportive environments and becoming credentialed as Recovery-Friendly Workplaces.