SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK)
SAMHSA’s Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) is operated by SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery with support from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment as a national training and technical assistance center to assist states, tribes, territories, and communities to expand the delivery of recovery support services - such as peer support services, recovery housing, collegiate recovery and more - across the United States. SPARK partners with people in recovery, providers, family members, and others to improve behavioral health outcomes. Through these partnerships, SPARK develops sustainable solutions and implements coordinated strategies to expand access to recovery support services.
SPARK Services
- Training and technical assistance resources
- Evidence-based practices to achieve recovery-oriented systems of care, services, and community supports
- Organizational and leadership development
- Infrastructure and capacity development
- Enhance strategies to connect people in recovery to jobs and training for competitive employment
Past Events
In 2024, SAMHSA hosted the inaugural SAMHSA Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery (STAR) Awards, honoring recovery champions from across the nation, including leaders with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use conditions, youth and family members. Watch a recording of the STAR Awards Ceremony (1 hour, 53 minutes).
SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery offered a follow-up session to our June 28 webinar on Psychiatric Advance Directives building on what we covered in the initial offering, diving deeper into topics requested in feedback from the first session: legal questions related to PADs, the details of what to do with your PAD once complete, and discussion on organizing community-based trainings on completing PADs. Watch a recording of this September 20, 2024 event (1 hour, 29 minutes)
During this 2024 event, SPARK and local, state, and national partners discussed Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), obtaining funding, and successful implementation efforts in Texas and Indiana. Watch a recording of this event (1 hour, 39 minutes).
SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery hosted an event with support via the OR’s SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) to share how psychiatric advance directives (PAD) can promote community living! This event described the benefits and challenges of completing a PAD, highlighted the role peers can play in advancing PAD usage, and shared tools and innovations. Watch a recording of this June 28, 2024 event (1 hour, 2 minutes).
SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery convened SPARK and local, state, and federal partners on Peer Specialist Workforce Development including growth, specialization, and emerging practice trends on May 22, 2024. Watch a recording of this event (1 hour, 29 minutes).
Spark Resource Center
Spark Resource Center
Access to SPARK Resource Center which includes current information focused on recovery-oriented care, recovery supports and services, and recovery-oriented systems for people with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions.
New Resources:
Free Training & Technical Assistance
Free Training & Technical Assistance
Individuals, families, organizations, employers, systems, and communities supporting recovery can request information, resources, training, and consultation about goals, ideas, and challenges. We respond to many requests virtually and in a timely manner. Learn more and read examples of possible training and technical assistance.
Contact SPARK
For any questions about SPARK and our work, email or call us at 781-247-1724.
Connect with SPARK
Subscribe to SPARK’s e-newsletter to receive information about training and technical assistance, upcoming events and webinars, new products and publications, and other updates and opportunities.
About SPARK
SPARK supports states, tribes, territories, and communities in expanding recovery support services. SPARK helps embed recovery support services such as peer support, employment, recovery housing, and collegiate recovery in behavioral health systems. Activities are tailored to support knowledge exchange to implement strategies that ensure recovery support services are responsive and accessible to all people pursuing a pathway to recovery anytime, anywhere.
SPARK Partners
SPARK is led by C4 Innovations with Faces & Voices of Recovery, Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly NYAPRS), and National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Additional partners include the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Center for Applied Research Solutions, and Advocates for Human Potential, along with a national faculty and steering committee and other expert consultants.
Learn more about Recovery and Recovery Support.