The Appalachian Regional Commission recently awarded $9.2 million in ARISE funds to the Fletcher Group, Inc. to launch Connect Appalachia, a regional workforce and recovery initiative that will support individuals in recovery from substance use disorder across six Appalachian states. The East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research (CRHR) will serve as the project evaluator.
Connect Appalachia will provide job readiness training and job placement services to 1,500 participants in recovery across Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The project will also serve 2,500 businesses and offer training and technical assistance to 252 communities throughout the region.
The initiative will implement the Recovery-Ready Workplaces (RRW) training and education
model, developed during a prior ARISE planning project. The model is designed to strengthen
local recovery ecosystems, reduce workforce gaps and expand economic opportunity in
Appalachian communities.
The Fletcher Group, Inc. is leading implementation in collaboration with nine partners,
including CRHR. Together, the partners are contributing more than $4.1 million in
matching funds to support the project’s reach and long-term impact.
CRHR will collaborate with the Fletcher Group, Inc. to evaluate the implementation
and potential impacts of the initiative across participating states. The center’s
role will help ensure project outcomes are documented and can used to inform future
rural workforce and recovery initiatives.
“Efforts to address substance use disorder and improve economic opportunity are too
often siloed, discouraging the exchange and adoption of effective practices,” said
Dr. Ernie Fletcher, co-founder and chief medical officer of the Fletcher Group, Inc.
“The Connect Appalachia project will bring together experienced organizations in the
six-state service area to help Appalachian employers address workforce needs and individuals
maintain recovery and obtain employment. The Fletcher Group is proud to partner with
these organizations to strengthen recovery pathways and expand economic opportunity.”
Project description: Connect Appalachia
The East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research (CRHR) is
serving as the evaluator for Connect Appalachia, a new regional workforce and recovery
initiative funded by a $9.2 million Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) ARISE grant
to the Fletcher Group, Inc. Announced in November 2025, the project will provide job
readiness training and job placement support to 1,500 individuals in recovery from
substance use disorder across Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
and West Virginia. Connect Appalachia will also serve 2,500 businesses and offer training
and technical assistance to 252 Appalachian communities.
At the heart of the initiative is the Recovery-Ready Workplaces (RRW) training and
education model, developed during a previous ARISE planning project. The model is
designed to help employers better support workers in recovery, strengthen local recovery
ecosystems, reduce workforce gaps and expand economic opportunity throughout the region.
The project is being implemented by the Fletcher Group, Inc. in partnership with nine
organizations, including CRHR, with more than $4.1 million in matching funds supporting
the work.
CRHR’s evaluation role will help track implementation and regional impact across all
six states. Findings could inform future rural workforce and recovery efforts across
Appalachia.