ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - s4story -- Flagler Open Arms Recovery Services (OARS) and Discover & Recover St. Johns County, in partnership with the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce (FCBHW), will host a regional convening, Data to Dialogue: Strengthening Peer Support in Florida's Substance Use System of Care, from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 100 Whetstone Place, Suite 303, St. Augustine.

The convening is part of a statewide effort to translate research findings into practical improvements for peer support services in Florida's publicly funded adult substance use system of care.

FCBHW was contracted by the Florida Department of Children and Families to complete a comprehensive, legislatively mandated evaluation of certified recovery peer specialists in the state's publicly funded adult substance use system of care. Funded by the Opioid Settlement Trust Fund, the evaluation included stakeholder interviews, surveys and a review of state policies to identify the effectiveness of peer support services and barriers to access and implementation.

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Organizers said the study is complete, but the work continues.

"Data only becomes meaningful when the people closest to the work have a chance to interpret it and shape what happens next," said Brock Birtolo, executive director of Flagler OARS, who will speak at the event. "This dialogue is an opportunity for stakeholders across our region to strengthen peer support infrastructure and ensure the recommendations reflect real-world needs."

The Aug. 5 session will bring together community stakeholders to review key findings, discuss local implications and collaborate on modified recommendations intended to improve peer support services across Florida's Northeast region.

Registration information and additional event details are available here: https://l1nq.com/7a5c07r

Discover & Recover St. Johns County is open Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. They are located at 3105 N Ponce De Leon Blvd, C2, Saint Augustine, FL 32084. They can be reached online at https://discoverrecover.org/ or 386-569-7930.

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About Discover & Recover:

Discover & Recover is dedicated to providing education, support, and peer services to individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. Located in Saint Augustine, FL, the center is committed to teaching about the recovery community, offering life-saving Narcan training, and supporting those affected by substance use disorder in all walks of life. Discover and Recover is a project of Flagler OARS and funded through LSF.