Partners in Change: Bringing People in Recovery into the Process of Evaluating Recovery Oriented Services

Abstract

Involving people in all aspects of recovery, including the program evaluation process, can not only produce quality outcomes, but can also successfully promote recovery and recovery oriented services (Garverich, Simon, Grudinskas, McDonald, & Grillo, 2008). This article focuses on how involvement in program evaluation promotes recovery by utilizing SAMHSA's Fundamental Components of Recovery. Based on a review of the literature and the experiences at a psychosocial resource center for veterans, the process of involving people in recovery in program evaluation is illustrated with respect to several key recovery components including empowerment, responsibility, hope, peer support, holistic approach, individualized and person-centered care, respect, nonlinear course, strengths-based orientation, and self-direction. Challenges involving people in recovery in the program evaluation process and promoting this process to other staff members are described. Last, lessons learned from the authors' own experiences in this process are detailed to assist with future endeavors.

Keywords:

• Mental illness
• Program evaluation
• Psychiatric rehabilitation
• Recovery
• Veterans

Notes

This article not subject to U.S. copyright law.