An informational presentation on National Recovery Month and the state’s collegiate recovery programs described program growth, campus events and student stories. Doctor Allison Smith, assistant commissioner for student health and wellness, briefed the Statewide Programs Committee on current activities and funding partnerships with the Louisiana Department of Health.

Smith said the first cohort of collegiate recovery programs completed and a second cohort is underway; South Louisiana Community College, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Northwestern State are in the second cohort. The programs have hosted conferences, training, Narcan distribution and public outreach; LSU’s program lit the state capitol purple for National Overdose Awareness Day and staged campus events including safe tailgates and demonstrations on overdose response.

Smith gave examples of students who used the collegiate recovery programs for support and persistence: one student who finished a GED, enrolled in an associate program and plans to continue toward a bachelor’s degree; another who became a statewide advocate after losing a family member to an overdose. Smith said funding from the Louisiana Department of Health has been important to sustain and expand programs and that staff are working to secure additional support.

No board action was required; the committee received the report and members encouraged continued support and outreach.