Craig Stenning, Director, Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, was awarded the Ramstad-Kennedy Award for Outstanding Leadership by the National Recovery Month Planning Partners today at the national "Innovation in Treatment and Recovery Systems" conference in Baltimore, MD.

The award, presented by over 100 collaborating partner organizations, recognizes a Single State Agency (SSA) Director each year who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in support of recovery and Recovery Month and to acknowledge Congressmen Jim Ramstad (ret.) and Patrick Kennedy (ret.) for their commitment to recovery and recovery-oriented policies.

Image: NCADD President/CEO Robert J. Lindsey (left)Presents Kennedy-Ramstad Award to Craig Stenning- Rhode Island on Behalf of Recovery Month Planning Partners

Among his many contributions to supporting recovery, Stenning was honored for his efforts to change the landscape of treatment and recovery for incarcerated individuals. The conference is being hosted by the State Systems Development Program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

During his tenure at the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Stenning is credited with the creation of recovery coaches at the Department of Corrections, training those with lived experience with mental illness to become employed as peer wellness coaches in Health Home teams at the Community Mental Health Organizations statewide.

He is also applauded for his leadership during the 2nd Annual Project Immersion, a two-day educational experience designed to increase provider knowledge of military life, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury associated with returning military members and their families.

The Rally4Recovery has also grown exponentially in the past decade, from 50 to 5000 participants and earning Stenning's area the distinguished honor of serving as the 2013 Rally4Recovery National Hub for Recovery Month.

The Ramstad-Kennedy Award for Outstanding Leadership was established in 2008 to honor the extraordinary efforts and passionate leadership of the Honorable Jim Ramstad (R-MN-retired) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-retired) for bringing equity in care to people with addiction and mental illness. It is presented each year to the head of a state agency overseeing addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services and for outstanding support for recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, including actively supporting each September's Recovery Month activities and programs.

Robert J. Lindsey, NCADD's President/CEO noted "Speaking at the SSDP Conference certainly presented a wonderful opportunity for NCADD to express its grateful appreciation for the work done by the State SSA's to support Recovery Month."

Image: Rhode Island Receives Kennedy-Ramstad Award From Robert Lindsey, NCADD President/CEO on Behalf of Recovery Month Planning Partners