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The 2008 Advocacy Leadership Program is now closed. Check
back soon for updates
on the next class schedule.
Meet the
2008 Inaugural Leaders
Purpose
The Advocacy Leadership Program aims to develop highly
knowledgeable and trained citizens of New Jersey, especially
those most impacted or affected by alcohol and drug addiction,
who will contribute significantly by participating in policy
decisions that influence the treatment and prevention of,
as well as recovery from, alcohol and drug addiction. The
issues at the forefront of the Program are closing the
state’s
addiction treatment gap; ending the stigmatization of addiction
by promoting recovery; ending discrimination experienced
by persons in recovery; and, preventing addiction. The Program
will foster engaged and educated advocates by building an
understanding of self-advocacy, legislative / government
processes, social change models, story-telling, as well as
how to use social capital as a way of influencing others
to take action. The ultimate goal is to have Advocacy Leaders
become fully empowered advocates engaged in systems change
efforts via core leadership teams established throughout
New Jersey.
Background
Addiction is a public health problem that affects many people
and has wide-ranging social consequences for individuals with
addiction, for family members, for employers, and for communities
in New Jersey. 3-in-4 New Jersey residents report knowing someone
with an alcohol or drug problem, while 1-in-5 reports having
a family member with a problem.
The lack of access to quality care has been well documented
in New Jersey. In 2006, there were 54,825 addiction treatment
admissions in New Jersey – down 13 percent or more
than 8,000 from nearly 63,000 admissions from just ten years
ago because fewer people are able to access treatment due
to limited treatment capacity. The New Jersey Division of
Addiction Services reports more than 21,000 people sought
addiction treatment in 2007 but could not access it as a
result.
It is well established
that addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery advocacy
has lacked a large, dedicated constituency engaged in efforts
to accomplish improved access to a quality continuum of
care. Much of this can be attributed to shame, stigma,
and discrimination – conditions that are known
to exist in relation to alcohol and drug addiction. In a
2001 survey by of people in recovery and family members,
Faces and Voices of Recovery found a substantial number
of people in recovery said that once in recovery, they
faced discrimination or social shame. These findings were
further confirmed in a 2002 survey commissioned by NCADD–New
Jersey that found that almost half of New Jerseyans said
they would be more guarded meeting someone in recovery than
they would be in general. Furthermore, 40 percent of New
Jersey citizens still view alcohol and drug addiction as
a personal weakness instead of a health problem.
Attitudes that continue
to stigmatize people with an addiction or in recovery discourage
them, their family members and others from coming forward
to create a formidable constituency. This
in turn has undermined advocacy efforts, whether at the systems
level or on particular issues, such as access to treatment.
A fundamental goal, therefore, of the Advocacy Leadership
Program is equipping advocates with the skills and knowledge
to confront and overcome stigma and discrimination. The knowledge
acquired in the Program will empower a treatment, prevention
and recovery constituency that will translate into effective
action and advocacy, making possible both systems and specific
policy changes.
Commitment and Responsibility
Advocacy Leaders make a commitment to attend one weekend
retreat, bi-monthly education sessions
of a limited duration and other ongoing activities focused
on developing core leadership teams throughout New Jersey.
Learning occurs through participatory sessions, team learning
projects, and peer-to-peer consultations. Additionally,
Advocacy Leaders participate in activities that demonstrate
their leadership ability to influence others to take collective
actions to close the state’s addiction treatment
gap; end the stigmatization of addiction and discrimination
experienced by persons in recovery; and, prevent addiction.
Benefits include the following:
• Leaders will enhance their knowledge and skills of
leadership and addiction treatment, prevention and recovery
issues through one weekend retreat and additional education
sessions.
• Leaders will meet with national, state, local leaders
and policymakers.
• Leaders will receive a limited number of professional
coaching sessions.
• Leaders will have the opportunity to influence addiction
treatment, prevention and recovery policy.
• Leaders will develop long-lasting professional and
personal relationships with peers.
• Leaders will be recognized as members of the Advocacy
Leadership Program Inaugural Class at a special Recognition
Luncheon.
Eligibility and Selection
Applicants must:
• Be a resident of New Jersey and demonstrate professional
or volunteer work that directly impacts on the treatment
and prevention of, or recovery from, alcohol and drug addiction
in New Jersey.
• Have experience or interest in working to influence
others to take collective actions to close the state’s
addiction treatment gap; end the stigmatization of addiction
and discrimination experienced by persons in recovery; and,
prevent addiction.
• Show strong evidence of leadership experience or
potential for leadership, as demonstrated by community service,
life or work experience and formal education.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the treatment
and prevention of, as well as recovery from, alcohol and
drug addiction.
• Able to commit to full participation in all Advocacy
Leadership Program activities including ability to attend
the Advocacy Leader retreat on Friday evening and Saturday,
no more than six additional education sessions;
and, other ongoing activities focused on developing core
leadership teams throughout New Jersey.
Applications
Applications will be assessed based on the applicant’s
residency status, the answers provided in the essay section
of the application and the applicant’s commitment to
fully participate in all aspects of the Advocacy Leadership
Program. NCADD-New Jersey board
of directors’ members and staff
will review applications and determine the final candidates
for the Advocacy Leadership Program.
For more information
about upcoming Advocacy Leadership Programs:
Contact John L. Hulick, MS, CPS-Director, Public Affairs
and Policy
NCADD-New Jersey
360 Corporate Boulevard, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
E-mail: jhulick@ncaddnj.org
Download
2008 Advocacy Leadership Program Brochure
For additional information:
609-689-0121
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