Fairwinds Receives $87K From Cannabis Tax

Fairwinds announced Thursday that it has been approved for $87,500 in grant funds from tax revenue generated by the sale of cannabis on Nantucket that will be invested in the expansion of its "Peer Recovery Coaching" (PRC) program.

Substance misuse treatment and support is the focus area for the Town of Nantucket’s cannabis tax revenues.

In 2018, Fairwinds launched the PRC program, which is a nationally recognized program that offers peer support to community members who suffer from addiction or substance misuse. Peer Recovery Coaches have lived experience with substance use disorders and need to be sober for many years to receive the comprehensive PRC training. They are people who offer hand-over-hand support to addicted individuals who are thinking about the road to recovery or are already on it.

The grant from the Town will cover PRC clients who are not covered by MassHealth, which is the first carrier in Massachusetts to reimburse for this service and Fairwinds was one of the first agencies to be reimbursed for the program. This funding will allow Fairwinds to reach more people misusing substances, with the goal of keeping them out of the hospital and preventing needless loss of life. Peer Recovery Coaching is considered a low-cost/high-efficacy program that can saves lives.

The agency is actively hiring for Peer Recovery Coach positions. Anyone who has lived experience and is in recovery can apply for either a part-time or full-time PRC position. All training is provided, and coaches will be supervised in their roles by the Fairwinds' clinical director.

The coach provides support, information, mentorship, and an ongoing and beneficial professional relationship during a challenging time. They may refer a client to Addiction Solutions or a 12-step program, or connect them to additional supports. PRC services are provided seven days a week, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., ensuring that coaches are available to their clients when the need is there.

The coach can meet a client at the emergency room, the parking lot of the liquor store, at home, or wherever support is needed.