June 12, 2026 — In a pivotal moment for public health policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially opened the floor to the most important stakeholders in the national conversation on addiction and mental health: those with lived experience. By issuing a formal Request for Information (RFI), the federal government is signaling a shift toward community-led policy development, aiming to dismantle barriers and foster a more robust infrastructure for long-term recovery.
Faces & Voices of Recovery, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the recovery community, is spearheading the mobilization effort, urging individuals in recovery, recovery community organizations (RCOs), and clinical support providers to participate. With the submission deadline set for July 5, 2026, the clock is ticking for the recovery community to ensure their expertise informs the “Great American Recovery Initiative.”
The Core Objective: Why Your Voice Matters Now
For decades, federal addiction policy has often been drafted behind closed doors or through the lens of academic research and clinical observation. While these perspectives are essential, they frequently overlook the nuanced, real-world challenges faced by individuals navigating the recovery journey.
The HHS Request for Information is designed to bridge this gap. It seeks to identify specific federal policies—or the lack thereof—that influence the trajectory of recovery in the United States. By soliciting direct testimony, the department aims to create a blueprint for the "Great American Recovery Initiative," a program intended to standardize support, reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, and increase access to life-saving resources.
"This is not just another bureaucratic survey," says an advocate close to the initiative. "This is an invitation to rewrite the narrative of recovery in America. For too long, policy has been done to us rather than with us. Now, the federal government is asking for the blueprints from those who have lived the experience."
Chronology of the Initiative: A Path Toward Systemic Change
The journey to this RFI began long before the June 12 announcement. Over the past several years, the national discourse on the opioid epidemic and the concurrent mental health crisis has shifted from a punitive model to one centered on health and recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC).
- 2023–2024: Advocacy groups, led by organizations like Faces & Voices of Recovery, successfully campaigned for the formal recognition of "Recovery Community Organizations" as essential components of the public health infrastructure.
- Early 2025: HHS began internal deliberations regarding a more cohesive federal strategy to support long-term recovery, moving beyond acute crisis intervention.
- Spring 2026: Federal stakeholders finalized the scope of the "Great American Recovery Initiative," identifying critical gaps in housing, employment, and peer support systems.
- June 12, 2026: Official publication of the RFI in the Federal Register, marking the beginning of the public comment period.
- July 5, 2026: The deadline for all public submissions.
- Post-July 2026: The review and synthesis phase, where HHS will categorize the data to draft proposed legislative and regulatory frameworks.
Supporting Data: The Need for Targeted Policy
The urgency behind this call to action is supported by stark statistical realities. According to recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), millions of Americans currently meet the criteria for substance use disorders, yet a staggering percentage remain unable to access adequate long-term support.
The Landscape of Recovery
- Peer Support Efficacy: Studies have consistently shown that peer-led support systems increase retention in recovery programs by up to 40% compared to traditional clinical-only models.
- Economic Barriers: Employment remains one of the primary challenges for individuals in early recovery. Federal policies regarding hiring practices and background checks for those in recovery are currently fragmented across state lines.
- The "Treatment Gap": While clinical detoxification services have seen increased federal funding, the "recovery support" sector—housing, vocational training, and peer recovery coaching—remains significantly underfunded and undervalued in federal grant allocations.
The RFI specifically asks stakeholders to provide evidence on how federal grant funding (such as the Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse) can be redirected or augmented to better support community-based recovery organizations.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Perspectives
The response from the recovery community has been immediate and enthusiastic. Faces & Voices of Recovery has issued a clarion call to its network, providing templates and guidance to ensure that submissions are professional, evidence-based, and impactful.
"The federal government is looking for data, but they are also looking for stories," explains a policy analyst. "When a parent writes about the lack of recovery-friendly housing in their county, or a peer coach explains how rigid federal billing codes prevent them from doing their job, that is data. It is qualitative evidence that cannot be ignored."
Government officials involved in the AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) have emphasized that all submissions will be vetted by a non-partisan review board. The goal is to move past political gridlock and toward actionable, evidence-based policies that can withstand changes in administration.
Implications: What Happens After July 5?
The implications of this RFI are profound. If the recovery community successfully mobilizes, the resulting policy recommendations could fundamentally alter the federal landscape for the next decade. Potential outcomes include:
- Standardization of Recovery Housing: Establishing federal guidelines for quality and safety in recovery residences.
- Peer Support Professionalization: Developing national standards for the certification and reimbursement of Peer Recovery Support Specialists.
- Insurance Reform: Expanding the definition of "medical necessity" to include long-term recovery support services, not just acute care.
- Anti-Discrimination Protections: Strengthening the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding employment and housing for individuals in recovery.
Failure to participate, conversely, risks leaving the policy table to those who do not understand the complexities of the recovery journey. If the community remains silent, the federal government will be forced to rely solely on existing academic literature, which—while valuable—often lacks the vital, ground-level insights necessary to create effective change.
How to Participate: A Guide for Advocates
Participation in this process is straightforward, but it requires a commitment to detail. Faces & Voices of Recovery encourages all participants to follow these steps to ensure their input is effectively integrated into the federal record:
- Review the RFI: Read the full text at the Federal Register link. Focus on the questions that directly relate to your area of expertise or lived experience.
- Draft Your Testimony: When writing, be specific. Instead of general critiques, offer concrete recommendations. For example, if discussing funding, suggest specific ways that federal block grants could be structured to support smaller, community-led RCOs.
- Include Evidence: Whenever possible, cite personal experience, local data, or community outcomes. Evidence doesn’t have to be a published white paper; it can be a documented account of a successful program that is currently thriving in your community.
- Submit Properly: Send all comments to [email protected]. It is critical that you use the subject line "Great American Recovery" to ensure your submission is routed correctly.
- Engage Your Network: Encourage your colleagues, peers, and local organizations to do the same. A unified, massive influx of comments will send a clear message to Washington: the recovery community is organized, informed, and demanding a seat at the table.
Conclusion: A Turning Point
The "Great American Recovery Initiative" represents a potential watershed moment in the history of American public health. By inviting the very people who have rebuilt their lives through recovery to help design the policies of the future, the U.S. government is acknowledging that true healing begins in the community.
As we approach the July 5 deadline, the challenge is clear: we must move from being the objects of policy to the architects of it. The path to a healthier, more inclusive, and more recovery-friendly nation begins with a single submission. It is time to add your voice to the record.
Call to Action Summary:
- Read the RFI: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-11602
- Submit Feedback: [email protected]
- Subject Line: "Great American Recovery"
- Deadline: July 5, 2026
Let’s make a difference together. #RecoveryVoices #PolicyChange #FacesAndVoices
