NCADD's Richmond Affiliate Holds First Recovery Community Program Graduation

Founded in 2004 by Hanover resident John Shinholser, The McShin Foundation is NCADD's Richmond Affiliate and Virginia's leading non-profit, full-service Recovery Community Organization (RCO), committed to serving individuals and families in their fight against Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).

While providing the tools for recovering individuals to create positive lifestyles, it aims to spread the word of recovery and educate families, communities, and government regarding SUDs as well as reduce the stigma attached to them. Following is an example of its success.

The Caroline County Recovery Community Center (CCRCC), managed by The McShin Foundation, hosted its first annual Recovery Community Program graduation on April 12, 2012. The event was attended by R. Gil Kerlikowske White House Deputy Director of the Office Of Drug Control Policies (ONDCP) as well, Caroline County Commonwealth Attorney Tony Spencer, Bowling Green Mayor David Storke, President of McShin John Shinholser, and CCRCC Program Director Frank Brewer. This was the first graduation for a court referral program funded by consumers and services provided by peers.

The CCRCC is a pre-judicated referral program, funded by consumer participation, services delivered by recovery coaches/peers, and partial reimbursements from justice saving (jail savings). Any community that can't afford a drug court, but has a Recovery Community Organization and a motivated attorney (as well as open minded judges) can pilot a similar program.

The Center has been up and running for 14 months and boasts 30 clients in the program. Four individuals were members of the first graduating class. McShin's mission, in part, is to help any stakeholder in Virginia regardless of agency or affiliation.

The Caroline County Recovery Community Center is a simple yet very effective and common sense program McShin developed for any group of interested stake holders in the state to utilize at no cost for participants. The CenterLeft is Caroline County Commonwealth Attorney Tony Spencer, Frank Brewer CCRCC Program Director and John Shinholser, McShin President provides free training, certified recovery coaching materials, free authentic advocate training, and much more. The CCRCC follows the McShin Model of care which encompasses relapse prevention, drug testing, 12-step lifestyle and meetings, recovery coach training, job skills, and life skills.

For more information on this event, contact The Caroline County Recovery Community Center at 804.632.6015 or visit their website at: http://caroline.mcshin.org/ or The McShin Foundation at www.mcshin.org