Your monthly Stepping Up Initiative newsletter has been revised.

A Recovery Community That Is STRONG!

This newsletter will be released once a month to recap recovery news and resources. You will also experience a word from Commissioner Doreen Williams, personal recovery stories and information on how to support the Rockdale County Stepping Up Initiative in our ongoing efforts to reduce the number of people in the criminal justice system with mental health and substance use challenges.

COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

Commissioner Doreen Williams provides a monthly recap for the Rockdale County recovery community and their partners, allies and stakeholders. In this month's Commissioners Corner, she discusses the new Opening Doors to Recovery (ODR) Program that is being implemented in Rockdale through a partnership between the Stepping Up Initiative and Viewpoint Health. ODR is an Intensive Case Management model used to reduce recidivism in individuals with behavioral health challenges.

Breaking Recovery News!

Click the links provided to watch more videos on Opening Doors to Recovery...

Rosalynn Carter on ODR

ODR Pilot Project

ODR Navigators

Opening Doors to Recovery

Championed by Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams, the Rockdale program is the first county in Georgia to launch ODR. Under the new program, funded by a grant from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, mentally challenged inmates who have been released from jail back into the community will receive wrap-around services to help them succeed and stay on track. ODR will provide the individuals a team that includes a licensed professional counselor, a certified mental health peer specialist and a certified peer specialist who is a family member. Participants in the program also will receive help in finding a job and other needed services and resources.

Read Full OCG News Article

CHAMPION OF RECOVERY

Brandon's Story

Brandon Jackson has been selected as the Champion of Recovery and shares his recovery journey in hopes of motivating others that have made the decision to walk a more positive pathway through life. Brandon is a participant of the Rockdale Adult Drug Court program and says that although it has been challenging he is dedicated to giving it his all.

We are grateful to have people in recovery that remember what it's like to be in the dark and are determined to keep spreading hope to others in recovery!

Click on the video to hear Brandon's story

Visit YouTube Channel

CHAMPION OF CHANGE

Vivian Johnson

We are proud to announce Deputy Vivian Johnson as this month's Champion of Change! She is an integral part of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s office community transition team. Her title is Educational Specialist and she holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement but she is so much more to us here in Rockdale County, she is in the trenches assisting people navigating the difficult pathways to re-entry.

She has been critical to the implementation and success of integrating the jail curriculum into the treatment milieu at the Rockdale county Jail. With her courageous approach and eternal optimism We are proud and privileged to have her on our team. She is a valuable contributor to our recovery community and to the success of the Stepping Up Initiative. Thank you Deputy Vivian Johnson for your commitment to changing our community in a positive way and always being a symbol of hope!

SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Come out for an evening of candid conversations with a panel of young adults from Rockdale County speaking on topics such as addressing social anxiety, opioid misuse navigating the stress of college preparation, finding Mental Health coping skills for whole health and wellness and the power of positivity! For more information email mona@rockdalecoalition.org or call 678-386-1444.

Fun In The Sun is the Alabama Northwest Florida Regional Convention of Narcotics Anonymous. For Decades, Addicts have been ascending to Panama City Beach to celebrate recovery, While sharing the message of hope, and fellowship in the sun. With great Speakers, Workshops, Volleyball, Pool Parties, and hospitality, it is a reminder of just how powerful recovery can be- for both newcomers and old timers alike.

Add to Calendar

Connect Today!

Rockdale County and partners are holding the Community Relief Action event Sat., April 2 at Emmanuel Community Church. Get your questions answered about rental assistance and landlord/tenant issues. There will be a drive-thru food give-away and COVID-19 home test kit distribution.

For more information email : andre.thomas@rockdalecoountyga.gov

April 18-21, 2022

It's time to reverse the numbers and re-discover hope. Rx Summit is a global community of stakeholders "from federal to family" who come together annually to share best practices and strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Registration is open. Join us for the largest, most influential annual conference addressing the opioid and addiction crisis. Reserve your spot today while rates are low!

Visit Their Facebook

GRIT & GRACE RCO

As we continue to intentionally grow in our recovery we invite you to our daily Recovery Oriented zoom meetings in hopes that our recovery community will also grow in numbers. We know that it is our duty to carry the recovery message to those that still suffer. If you or a loved one needs the support of a recovery community, we meet every weekday at 11am and 6pm and again on Saturdays at 6pm. Please follow our Grit & Grace RCO pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our new YouTube and Podcast Channels to show your support and stay connected.

Join Us On Zoom

Monthly Featured Recovery App

Download from Apple App Store

Download from Google Playstore

The Phoenix Mobile App

The Phoenix is excited to announce that the The Phoenix Mobile App is now available for free download for Apple and Android phones everywhere.

The Phoenix mobile app will help you discover joy in recovery with an active, sober lifestyle. Find activities in person, live-streamed & on-demand. Join groups to connect with like-minded members and track your days with our sobriety counter.

Ready to go? Just click on one of the buttons to download the app and get started. Don’t forget to tell your friends and colleagues in recovery about the app so they can get started too.

Click resource images for more information

Find a Local AA Meeting

Find a Local NA Meeting

PARTNERSHIPS

The Rockdale County Stepping Up Initiative acknowledges that it takes a community and we are truly grateful for the the continued support of the following partnerships:

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners

Rockdale State Court

Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office

City of Conyers Police Department

Piedmont Rockdale Hospital

Rockdale County Accountability Courts

Grit & Grace: A Rockdale Recovery Organization, Inc.

Viewpoint Health

Restoration Storehouse

E911

Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office

Rockdale County Public Defender’s Office

Rockdale County Probate Judge

Rockdale County Magistrate Judge

2800 SW HWY 138

Conyers, GA 30094