Our Mission
IHR’s mission, since our founding in 1990, has been to develop and support a comprehensive continuum of care for families, individuals, youth, and pregnant and parenting women affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, violence/trauma, mental health challenges and other health issues, while advancing principles of health equity and social justice. Our work is focused on addressing and eradicating inequities in our health care, economic, and justice systems, especially as they disproportionately affect women and people of color. We are committed to providing services and creating communities that mitigate the effects of substance use, mental illness, and trauma.
IHR’s work is based on these principles:
- Establishing collaborative models of practice that promote resiliency and recovery.
- Integrating gender-responsive, anti-racist, trauma-informed, and relational/cultural models of prevention, intervention, and treatment.
- Fostering family-centered, strength-based approaches.
- Advancing principles of health equity and social justice.
- Promoting evidence-based practice.
There is no other service like [IHR], you all bring professional, quality work to our population that is at their lowest points and do it all with knowledge and grace."
-DCF Employee
Overview
The Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) is a statewide, nonprofit organization incorporated in 1990 to provide services, policy and program development, research and capacity-building activities. IHR provides training, consultation, technical assistance and curriculum development for state, local and national organizations to improve integration of best practices and policies into prevention and treatment programs.
IHR is certified by Massachusetts’ Supplier Diversity Office as a women-operated agency, and employs over 90 staff, as well as interns and research/evaluation consultants. At least 30 percent of IHR staff are in recovery from substance use, mental health issues or trauma, and/or living with HIV/AIDS. IHR’s primary funding sources are Mass. Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS); Mass. Department of Children and Families (DCF); MassHealth; and federal partners SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. Health insurance, private donations and fees support IHR’s direct services.
IHR’s main administrative offices and a licensed, CARF-accredited behavioral health clinic are located in Watertown, Mass. Other licensed clinic sites are in Lowell, Boston, Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester, Mass. IHR has additional satellite offices, and also works in homes, communities, and other organizational settings across the state.
IHR has been recognized by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment as an Exemplary Program for Homeless Addictions Treatment, and Pregnant and Parenting Women and Infants Promising Practice; and has received numerous awards, including a SAMHSA Science and Service Award.
We are doing essential work with families and professionals across the state ... at the forefront of cutting edge educational and clinical topics."
-IHR Employee
Hope Rising
Recognized as a local and national leader in the behavioral health field, IHR has received numerous awards, particularly for work prioritizing pregnant and parenting women and family-centered approaches.