E71: Recovery-Ready Regions: How Multi-State Partnerships Are Rebuilding Appalachia

In this episode, you'll hear from two guests who share how a major multi-state initiative is reshaping workforce development across Appalachia by connecting recovery, employment, and economic growth. Listeners will learn how recovery-ready and second-chance employment practices are helping employers fill critical workforce gaps, how recovery ecosystems are being strengthened at the community level, and why meaningful work is such a powerful driver of long-term recovery. The conversation explores what it takes to reduce stigma, build effective cross-state partnerships, and create systems that support both individuals in recovery and the employers who hire them—offering practical insights and big-picture lessons for anyone interested in workforce innovation, public health, and regional collaboration.