Establishing the Office of Recovery

Part A of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 501C (42 U.S.C. 290aa–0b) the following: 501D. Office of Recovery (a) In general There is established, in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an Office of Recovery (referred to in this section as the Office). (b) Director The Office shall be headed by a Director who has demonstrated experience in, and lived experience with, mental health or substance use disorder recovery. (c) Responsibilities Through the Office of Recovery, the responsibilities of the Director shall include— (1) providing leadership in the identification of new and emerging issues related to recovery support services; (2) supporting technical assistance, data analysis, and evaluation functions in order to assist States, localities, territories, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations in developing recovery support services and identifying best practices with the objective of expanding the capacity of, and access to, recovery support services; (3) providing support for the training, education, integration, and professionalization of the peer support specialist workforce; (4) disseminating best practice recommendations with respect to peer support specialist training, certification, supervision, and practice to States and other entities that employ peer support specialists; (5) supporting peer support specialists with ongoing professional development and retention activities; and (6) developing recommendations on creating career pathways for peer support specialists. (d) Functions Beginning on the date of enactment of this section, the functions of the Office shall include the responsibilities described in subsection (c) and the functions of the Office of Recovery of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on the day before such date of enactment, including all of its personnel, assets, authorities, obligations, and liabilities, except as otherwise specified in this section. (e) Definition of peer support specialist In this section, the term peer support specialist has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery Support Act.