On April 14, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, Bridget Sherman of the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board joined fellow Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) partners to present at the Ohio Recovery Housing Conference. Their presentation, titled “From Stigma to Strength: The Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative,” focused on the growing importance of creating supportive workplaces for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and those living with a mental health condition.
The presentation highlighted Ohio’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, which encourages employers to create environments that support wellness, reduce stigma, and provide opportunities for individuals in recovery to succeed in the workforce. Recovery-friendly workplaces promote education, understanding, and supportive policies that help employees feel valued while encouraging access to treatment, recovery supports, and mental health resources when needed.
During the presentation, Sherman and fellow presenters discussed how employers play a critical role in recovery by fostering workplaces built on compassion, second chances, and support rather than judgment. They also shared how recovery-friendly practices can strengthen businesses by improving employee wellness, increasing retention, and creating healthier workplace cultures. By educating employers and communities, initiatives like Recovery Friendly Workplace help create pathways for individuals in recovery to rebuild their lives while contributing meaningfully to their workplaces and communities.
If your organization is interested in learning more about becoming a designated Recovery Friendly Workplace, Bridget Sherman is available to provide a brief presentation and guidance on the designation process.
Employers can reach Bridget via e-mail: bsherman@ashtabulamhrs.org or call 440-992-3121
Pictured from left to right; Cale Burke from Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Jamie Belcher from Sandusky County Public Health, Bridget Sherman from Ashtabula County MHRS Board, Miranda Gray from the Fairfield County ADAMH Board, Nicole Williams from the MHRS Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties, and Holly Raffle from Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.
