October Recovery Ready Communities Collaborative Meeting Minutes
Welcome back after a long weekend!
What’s New
- Today we are going to have an update on the new Doorway system in Greater Manchester, now managed by Elliot Health System.
- In addition, we are going to do some group work on Communications, one of the four core 2025-2026 priorities that the collaborative members identified during the September meeting.
Featured Speaker: Danielle Mackey & Gil Colon, The Doorway
- Everyone will be welcomed and assisted for all substances including alcohol, which is a new feature for the Doorway system.
- The new location now has in-office clinicians, which is also a new offering under the new Doorway contract with Elliot Hospital.
- Short- and long-term treatment and recovery support are available through Elliot’s Center for Recovery Management and the Hillsborough County-North Recovery Court, both housed under one roof alongside The Doorway at 300 Hanover Street.
- They can also provide free overdose prevention kits and Naloxone for anyone who would like some – feel free to walk in or call ahead!
- The Doorway is in the process of creating a Real-Time Community Reporting system (shared via QR code) allowing anyone to provide feedback on how The Doorway is working and suggestions for improvement, barriers, challenges, etc.
- Plan is also to provide updates and changes to improve The Doorway
- The goal of the Reporting System is to collect community input to have a data-driven approach to their quality improvement plans going forward.
- During office hours (M-F, 8am-5pm), The Doorway receives all 211 calls that are seeking substance use disorder information/referrals. After hours, individuals can still call 211 and get information, but it will not be automatically directed to The Doorway office.
- The hub and spoke model will be utilized. They are a referral agency, so they rely on this model to refer clients to appropriate treatment and recovery services.
- Their catchment area is the Greater Manchester region, which covers a radius that is approximately 1 hour from Manchester. They will help anyone in the state; however, efforts will be made to get them connected to a local Doorway closer to their hometown if they are from outside of the region.
- Everyone will be initially set up with an assessment/clinician; if there is a waitlist for services, every effort will be made to ensure individuals have a safe place to be until a spot opens up, or they will be placed in available respite services within the state.
- For questions or concerns regarding The Doorway, you can contact Danielle: [email protected].
Overdose Prevention Updates: September
General Updates/Information
- Prevention:
- DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is coming up on October 25th – 10AM – 2PM. All eight communities within greater Manchester will have a drop off spot – most will be at the local police department. In Manchester, the drop off locations will be at the VA and the Elliot at Rivers Edge Pharmacy. Deterra bags and overdose kits will be available at the drop off sites in the region.
- Treatment:
- Farnum is still doing outpatient services, working on adding psychiatric services, more to come. But Farnum outpatient services are still open!
- Recovery:
- Recovery Friendly Workplace has recently teamed up with Keene State College to create data on the impact of the initiative. View the findings here.
- Granite United Way has recently released information regarding the new statewide Opioid Abatement Community Grants Program (OACGP). To learn more about this funding opportunity, visit their website here and view their press release here.
- Other:
- The Manchester Health Department is hosting a session for community partners to come learn about the citywide transportation available to your clients! Click here to view the flyer and register here.
- The Manchester Health Department has also released their 2025-2026 Food Resource Guide. The guide provides residents, City Departments, and community partners with up-to-date resources for food assistance, public food pantry locations, and community gardens, among other resources and assistance.
Action Plan
- Communication: Increase communication about SUD, increase awareness of partner agencies, and increase understanding, skills, and attitudes about SUD in the community.
- Workgroups discussed strategies to increase communication in the region and will be summarized and analyzed for November’s meeting.
- Representation: How is the recovery community represented? Who are our champions? Where is the voice of recovery where decisions are made?
- Education – Increasing positive connections, stigma reduction, and cultural competency
- Expansion – Encompassing the entire community, developing a diverse cross-section of support regarding SUD, not just community providers.
What’s Next
- My Recovery Gallery is going on the road within the region! Starting November 1, the gallery will be at Manchester Comprehensive Treatment Center and will pop up at other locations throughout 2026. If you’re interested in hosting the gallery at your organization, please reach out to Janelle: [email protected].
- On The Road to Wellness is hosting a community clean-up at Veterans Park on October 24th, 11AM- 2PM. The parks department will supply gloves/bags. All are welcome, including community partners!
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 11th, 10am-11am, in-person at the Makin’ It Happen office.
Do you want to be added to the email list for the RRCC? Please click here to subscribe!
