Center for Health, Work, and Environment and Colorado School of Public Health thought leadership plays a central role on the national stage.
Aurora, Colorado (September 18, 2024)—Today, in recognition of National Recovery Month, David Shapiro, Assistant Director of Programs & Partnerships at the Center for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) at the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH), participated in an important roundtable discussion at the White House on behalf of the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative (RFWI). This event, held in Washington, D.C., is a critical gathering of national leaders dedicated to advancing recovery-friendly workplace policies.
Shapiro’s involvement highlights CHWE’s leadership in partnering with businesses across Colorado to support employees in recovery from substance use disorder and addressing the opioid and overdose crisis. The Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, spearheaded by CHWE in collaboration with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, is at the forefront of these efforts nationally.
“At CHWE, we have long recognized the pivotal role employers play in fostering healthier, more supportive workplaces,” said Dr. Liliana Tenney, CHWE Director of Outreach and Programs. “Having the opportunity to share our work on the national stage represents the commitment of our partners and our Center to focus on supporting workers affected by mental illness, opioid misuse, and other substance use disorders. We are united in a shared goal to have more Colorado employers foster a culture that supports individuals in their recovery journey.”
The National Recovery Month is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader strategy to promote recovery-ready workplaces and tackle the national substance use crisis. This effort is a key priority under President Biden’s Unity Agenda, which aims to support millions of Americans in recovery and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use.
Shapiro shared insights from the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, which has provided more than 100 Colorado businesses with guidance on how to support employees in treatment, recovery, and overall mental health. By engaging with fellow leaders nationwide, Shapiro represented ColoradoSPH’s successes and essential thought leadership that will ultimately make workplaces more inclusive and supportive of those in recovery.
"It was an honor joining leaders from across the country to address this public health challenge,” said Shapiro. "When the public and private sectors come together and implement strategies to support those on the path to recovery, communities can thrive; Colorado is poised to lead in this work," he continued.
The Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, established in 2022, has worked with businesses across various industries—including healthcare, construction, and hospitality—to develop workplace policies that reduce stigma, support recovery, and contribute to a more resilient workforce. The program’s ongoing work has been supported by Colorado legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 24-048, signed into law in 2024, which invests nearly $1.5 million over the next four years in the Center for Health, Work, and Environment (CHWE) at the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) to deliver the Recovery Friendly Workplace across the state. The event, which coincides with National Recovery Month, brings together state and business leaders to share best practices and foster collaboration on recovery-friendly workplace policies nationwide.
For more information about the Center for Health, Work & Environment or the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, visit CHWE's RFWI page.
About the Center for Health, Work & Environment
The Center for Health, Work & Environment is an academic center within the Colorado School of Public Health. The Center is one of 10 Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® and houses the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC), one of 18 centers of its kind supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The Center team works with faculty, students, and community partners to advance worker health, safety, and well-being. The Center is committed to developing education, research, and public health practice initiatives that combat the problems of racial and environmental inequity and injustice facing workers. To effectively address the future of work, we aim to ensure a healthier and safer workplace for all. Main offices for the Center are located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.
About the Colorado School of Public Health
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top-tier faculty and students from across the country and providing a vital contribution towards ensuring our region’s health and well-being.
Collaboratively formed in 2008 by the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado School of Public Health provides training, innovative research, and community service to actively address public health issues, including chronic disease, access to health care, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and costly injuries.
About the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education, and patient care. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado – which see more than 2 million adult and pediatric patient visits yearly. Innovative, interconnected, and highly collaborative, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus delivers life-changing treatments, patient care, and professional training and conducts world-renowned research fueled by $705 million in research grants. For more information, visit www.cuanschutz.edu.