Specifications include, but are not limited to: The state of North Dakota, acting through its North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division (STATE) is soliciting proposals to implement the Recovery Talk program. The Recovery Talk program is a 24/7, confidential, non-crisis, telephone and text line that offers peer support to individuals with a substance use disorder. STATE provides leadership for the planning, development, and oversight of the state's behavioral health system. STATE works with partners within the Department of Health and Human Services and the state behavioral health system to improve access to services, address behavioral health workforce needs, develop policies, and ensure quality services are available for those with behavioral health needs. When an individual is working towards or maintaining recovery from a behavioral health need, they at times may experience situations when additional support would be beneficial. Due to the rural nature of North Dakota, recovery support may not be readily accessible, when needed. To provide additional recovery supports, a 24-hour non-crisis Telephone Recovery Support service was implemented in 2008. As STATE continued to create opportunities for recovery support, a training for Peer Support Specialists (PSS) was created and implemented statewide. A PSS is an individual with personal lived experience willing to publicly identify as an individual in recovery from a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, brain injury, or any combination thereof who uses their lived experience and skills learned through formal training to deliver services to promote mind-body recovery and resiliency.
