Empowering Positive Transformations in Recovery Housing

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Challenge Overview

The Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge is a dynamic and collaborative initiative aimed at fostering creative solutions and breakthrough innovations in the field of recovery housing. This challenge invites individuals, teams, organizations and entrepreneurs to share ideas that address the critical gaps and opportunities in recovery housing.

 

This year ORH will be partnering with finalists to create short (3- to 4-minute), impactful promotional videos of each finalist’s program. Not only will all finalists earn a small cash prize to invest in their innovation, but they also will have a promotional video to share and use to promote their innovation to funders, investors and community members. 

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Objective

The primary goal of the Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge is to identify and support innovative solutions that enhance the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of recovery housing programs. Participants are encouraged to design novel approaches that promote long-term recovery, community integration and overall well-being for individuals seeking long-term recovery. 

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Key Areas of Focus

The Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge is seeking recovery housing operators who have implemented an innovative approach to improve recovery housing in one or more of the following ways:

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• Holistic Recovery Support: Develop innovative models of recovery housing that prioritize holistic well-being, including physical, mental, emotional and social health.

• Technology Integration: Explore the integration of technology, such as mobile apps or virtual support platforms, to enhance communication and engagement among residents and recovery communities. 

• Community Engagement: Foster strong community connections, reduce stigma and promote positive neighborhood relationships through partnerships with local organizations, businesses and institutions.

• Recovery-Oriented Environment: Create recovery housing environments that facilitate personal growth,  skill development and empowerment for sustained recovery journeys.

• Data-Driven Insights: Leverage data-collection tools and existing resources to analyze data on recovery outcomes, resident experiences and program effectiveness for continuous improvement.

• Accessibility and Equity: Design solutions that address barriers to entry, affordability and inclusivity, ensuring that recovery housing is accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.

• Fostering Family Involvement: Investigate ways that recovery homes can promote positive family engagement and support.

 

How to Participate

Eligibility: The Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge is free and open to all ORH-certified recovery housing operators AND those active in the application process. To be considered active in the application process, the organization must have a full application submitted in RHOADS. 

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Idea Submission: Participants will be required to submit a comprehensive proposal outlining their innovative recovery housing solution. Submissions should include a detailed description of the idea, its potential impact, the implementation strategy and any relevant supporting materials.

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Judging Process: Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of experts in the recovery housing field. Judges will assess the proposals based on the following criteria:

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• Novelty and Creativity – Is the idea new? Or does it use a new approach or serve a new population?

• Scalability – How easily can this idea be implemented in other environments?

• Success Measurement – Can the idea’s success be measured?

• Potential for Impact – How big is the potential impact, either on an individual or a community level?

• Alignment with Recovery Principles – Does this idea advance the social model of recovery?

• Community Engagement – Does this idea involve partners? Is the community supportive and engaged? 

 

Finalists and Winners: All applications will be reviewed. Three ideas will be selected as finalists. 

Selected finalists will have the opportunity to create a FREE promotional video about their program.  ORH will work with the finalists to schedule a time for ORH and a videographer to spend a day on-site to interview the program leaders, community partners, and, if appropriate, program participants. ORH will create a promotional video about the program. 

 

All finalist program videos will be screened at the ORH conference and posted on the ORH YouTube channel. 

The audience at the ORH annual conference will have an opportunity to vote for the Innovation of the Year, with the winner announced at the ORH conference dinner.

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Timeline

• Challenge Launch: September 20, 2024

• Submission Deadline: October 31, 2024

• Finalists Announcement: November 8, 2024

• Scheduling with Finalists for Video Recording: November – December 2024

• Videos Finalized: March 1, 2025

• ORH Conference: March 25-27, 2025

• Winner Announced: March 26, 2025, at the ORH Conference Dinner

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Prizes

• 1st Place: $2,500 cash prize and a 3- to 4-minute promotional video

• Other Finalists: $500 and 3- to 4-minute promotional videos

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Contact

For inquiries and updates related to the Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge, please visit website or contact info@ohiorecoveryhousing.org or 614-453-5133.

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Information

Join us in revolutionizing the future of recovery housing and making a lasting impact on individuals and communities in need. Your innovation could be the key to transforming lives and promoting sustainable recovery journeys.