Since 1972, Native American Connections (NAC) has been improving people’s lives through behavioral health, affordable housing, and community development services that are culturally appropriate for the Native American community.

Through decades of experience supporting people in recovery, NAC understands that people leaving residential treatment need ongoing support to fortify their sobriety before returning to life on their own. Viewing housing as an integral part of the recovery care continuum, NAC wanted to offer clients the wraparound support they need.

A Mobilize AZ grant enabled NAC to build the bridge from residential treatment to sober living for 63 adults. By providing peer and recovery support paired with a supervised sober living environment, NAC gave individuals the opportunity to practice and reinforce their sobriety skills. NAC also provided connections to community resources for employment, transportation, permanent housing, and other essential needs. 100% of individuals served maintained their sobriety throughout the duration of the grant project, as well as improved their job readiness skills.

NAC continues to find innovative ways to incorporate housing within the recovery continuum. As people graduated from the sober living program funded by Mobilize AZ, for example, NAC layered in Rapid Rehousing funding (under the CARES Act) to offer them six months of rental assistance. The organization is also working with Indian Health Services and AHCCCS to make recovery housing a billable service (which it is not under Medicaid) and with housing authorities to connect people in treatment to housing programs.

With wraparound support in reach, people in recovery can stay on the path to independent living.