HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has announced the launch of the program “Recovery Coach Workforce Education Series,” a partnership with the Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy to address workforce challenges arising from the opioid crisis.

The comprehensive five-part virtual training series is designed for care coordinators and professionals working in treatment and recovery services. The program will equip participants with evidence-based strategies to integrate employment services into the recovery process.

This initiative is part of L&I’s broader strategy to address the impact of the opioid crisis on Pennsylvania’s workforce, which includes developing the health workforce, providing employment support at various stages of recovery, and helping employers support those in recovery.

“The opioid crisis has had a profound impact on our workforce, and it is critical that we address this challenge holistically through programs like the Recovery Coach Workforce Education Series.” said Nancy A. Walker, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. “By empowering care coordinators and recovery professionals with the tools to guide their clients toward meaningful employment, we are not only addressing immediate workforce needs, but contributing to long-term recovery success and building stronger communities and more resilient in Pennsylvania.”

The training series will primarily target Pennsylvania’s 45 Centers of Excellence (CoE), statewide opioid treatment centers and other community recovery centers. This initiative builds on existing partnerships with the PA Department of Human Services and leverages federal funding from Statewide Set-Aside Act funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to address the opioid crisis.

“The Shapiro administration is taking a multidisciplinary approach to the opioid crisis, and this partnership is another example of that,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “We look forward to seeing the results of this new partnership created by the Department of Labor and Industry as it will address the critical work of reducing stigma in the workplace.”

Interested persons can apply to and the courses will start in December until April 2025.

This series is supported 100% with $150,000 in federal WIOA funding.