The Office of Recovery Community Affairs (ORCA)
Our goal is to inform people of our Initiatives, Services and Resources that are offered by DMHAS and DMHAS-funded agencies throughout the state.
ORCA endorses the ‘No Wrong Door’ motto for recovery and encourages people to find the pathway(s) that work best for them.
Elsa Ward, MS, CAC, Director, (860) 418-6989, Elsa.Ward@ct.gov
For issues regarding client rights and grievances contact William Pierce, 860-418-6933, william.pierce@ct.gov or go to Client Rights and Grievances.
DMHAS ORCA Initiative:
Peer Recovery Support Listening Sessions
Announcing the 1st Listening Session with the DMHAS Office of Recovery Community Affairs
Your Voice Matters
Come and share your thoughts and suggestions on Peer Education, Training, and Credentialing. We look forward to hearing from all of you.
Date: Monday, June 24th, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Amplify Training Room, 178 Oakwood Drive, Glastonbury, CT
SAVE THE DATES - LISTENING SESSIONS (In-person Locations TBD)
* Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Virtual with Commissioner Navarretta https://tinyurl.com/2vewcz6e
* Monday, July 21st, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - In-person with Commissioner Navarretta at CT Women's Consortium - 2321 Whitney Ave, Suite 401, Hamden, CT
* Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Virtual Wrap-up Session https://tinyurl.com/2vewcz6e
*Thursday, August 7th, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - In-person Wrap-up Session
Peer Certification Advisory Committee Meetings - Click date for recording of the meeting
- September 28, 2022
- October 12, 2022, Breakout: The Complaint Process, Breakout: Ethics, Principles & Guidelines, Breakout: The Grandparenting Process
- November 9, 2022
- December 14, 2022
- January 11, 2023
- February 8, 2023
- March 15, 2023
- February 5, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions/Answers (FAQ)(2022)
DMHAS-endorsed Peer Recovery Support training centers:
- CCAR Recovery Coach Training
- Advocacy Unlimited Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Training
- Hartford Healthcare Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Training
- New Life II Community Center
Monthly Recovery Calendars:
CT Peer & Family Organizations
- Advocacy Unlimited (AU)
- ArtReach
- Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness-CT (NAMI-CT)
- New Life II
- Recovery Innovations for Pursuing Peer Leadership and Empowerment (RIPPLE)
- TriCircle
Resources