Kaiser Permanente Funding expands CCBC’s Addiction Recovery Workforce and strengthens pathways to opportunity.
The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) recognizes Kaiser Permanente for its $50,000 investment in strengthening the region’s addiction recovery workforce. This funding expands access to education and career pathways for individuals with lived experience in addiction recovery and the justice system—perspectives that are invaluable in supporting others on their path to healing.
With this support, CCBC’s Human Services Counseling program welcomed 50 new Peer Recovery Specialist trainees, fully covering the costs of tuition, certification fees, textbooks, and clinical supervision. By removing these financial barriers, the program enables students to focus on rebuilding their lives while preparing for meaningful careers in behavioral health.
Participants bring not only academic commitment but also lived experience, empathy, and a deep understanding of recovery. Through hands-on training in real-world settings, they apply harm-reduction principles, practice trauma-informed communication, and engage directly with individuals seeking support, all under the guidance of experienced professionals. This approach ensures graduates are both career-ready and equipped to serve their communities effectively.
Many will go on to become Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, using their personal journeys to help individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges. Their contributions are essential to a behavioral health system in urgent need of compassionate, well-trained professionals.
Kaiser Permanente’s investment extends beyond education. It fosters stability, opportunity, and second chances while strengthening the recovery workforce. In doing so, it helps build a healthier, more resilient community for the future.