LOUISA, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky Addiction Recovery and Training program (eKART) was recently awarded $1.4 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce Economic Revitalization) grant program.

eKART is a partnership between Addiction Recovery Care, the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and Sullivan University.  Addiction Recovery Care is a Cornerstone Partner of Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR) and EKCEP is a Grassroots Partner of SOAR. The project will help bridge the gap between addiction recovery and productive participation in the workforce.

SOAR has worked with Addiction Recovery Care, EKCEP, and Sullivan University on the Peer Support Specialist Academy program.  This program has helped to establish a network of Peer Support Specialists for recovery centers, as well as hospitals and healthcare clinics.

“Providing those in recovery the opportunity to participate in training and finding gainful employment is not only important to the individual in recovery, but it also important to addressing the workforce challenges in Appalachia Kentucky and across the country,” said Jared Arnett, executive director of SOAR. “I believe Addiction Recovery Care and EKCEP are leading the way in promoting second-chance employment in Kentucky and across the nation.”

Read more about the grant announcement here.