Recovery Coaches to be Town Employees

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

Town Manager James McKenna said that he would give the town council a proposal on Aug. 15 that would detail the expansion the town’s health department and bring on two peer recovery coaches as town employees.

“Our community is taking a new approach to support individuals impacted by addiction and mental health issues,” said LeighAnn Eruzione, of CASA, Community Action for Safe Alternatives.

McKenna made the announcement at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, where numerous supporters of the peer recovery coaches attended.

Linda Vecchia, a CASA board member, said the recovery coaches not only support addicts but also their families.

“Without them the cemetery will be full,” Vecchia said.

The peer recovery coaches have been in Winthrop for over two years and have helped dozens of people and their families work through addiction. They were paid through a grant. The recovery coaches currently make $20 an hour for 35 hours a week with no health insurance or other benefits.

“We learned a lot from restructuring the health department. It’s a major vision change,” McKenna said, adding that over 1,900 people died last year due to the opioid crisis. “It’s growing and its getting worse. Winthrop has it’s own challenges unique to the community.”

Winthrop’s Peer Recovery Program has gained national recognition and many other communities are seeking to have a program like Winthrop.

The idea to have the recovery coaches become town employees had been pitched before, but the town was concerned about liability issues. McKenna said there is no liability issue to bring them on board. Details of their town employee salaries and benefits were now yet disclosed.

“Everyone at CASA is thrilled to hear the town manager’s proposal,” said Eruzione of CASA, Community Action for Safe Alternatives. “The recovery coach team has worked tirelessly over the past few months to keep this program a continuous conversation.”

Public Health nurse Deanna Faretra said she was grateful to the town manager and town council for their support.

“This is a unique and valuable program,” she said, adding that it couldn’t be done without Chief Terence Delehanty, Police Sgt. Sarko Gregorian, nurse Meredith Hurley, CASA, Peer Recovery Coach Supervisor Paul Alves and recovery coaches Chip McHugh and Danielle Fernakees.