Our Focus
Recovery support services for people experiencing substance use disorder are multiplying, but there is little research on what makes these services effective. We’re working to change that.
The JEAP Initiative is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R24DA051950)
Sign Up for Updates
Hear about job openings, trainings, mentorship opportunities, and other ways to get involved by subscribing to the JEAP Initiative newsletter.
Our Approach
Over the course of five years, we are engaging in a variety of activities in order to advance the research on recovery support services.
Community Boards
Our work is guided by three Community Boards, comprised of people in recovery and people from organizations that provide or pay for recovery support services.
Off-Site Training and Mentoring
We offer a Training Institute and ongoing mentoring for early career investigators interested in researching recovery support services.
Intensive In-Residence Fellowship
We offer two-year Postdoctoral Fellowships that help early career investigators launch their career as a researcher focused on recovery support services.
Expert Consultant Panel
In addition to working with our team, participants in our Fellowship and Training programs will also have access to the expertise of our consultant panel, a group of practitioners and researchers with a variety of skillsets.
Pilot Studies
We will be funding several pilot studies focused on recovery support services.
Training Workshops
Through webinars and pre-conference workshops, we are offering virtual and in-person trainings for researchers and practitioners.
Centering the Voices of People with Lived Experience
Bringing together research expertise and lived experience leads to better research. For this reason, lived experience is at the heart of everything we do:
- This Initiative is a partnership between researchers, persons in recovery, providers, and payors.
- Our Community Boards set the research priorities and determine the selection of early career investigators for our Fellowship and Trainee programs, and decide which pilot studies are funded.
- For our Trainee, Fellow, and pilot study opportunities, we are seeking applicants who have lived experience with recovery from substance use or with the justice system.
Social feed
🌟 SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Joely 🌟
Joely will be one of several speakers during our FREE virtual forum on recovery capital, taking place TOMORROW, February 18th!
Register for the forum: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
#recovery #capital #forum #addictionresearch
🌟 SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Eleanor Byrd 🌟
Eleanor will be one of several speakers during our FREE virtual forum on recovery capital. Join the JEAP Initiative and @chearresearch on February 18th to explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families.
Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
#recovery #forum #addictionresearch
🌟 SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Sandy Valentine 🌟
Sandy will be one of several wonderful speakers during our FREE virtual forum on recovery capital. Join the JEAP Initiative and @chearresearch on February 18th to explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families.
Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
#recovery #forum #addictionresearch
📆 Mark your calendars!
The JEAP Initiative and @chearresearch are co-sponsoring a free 90-minute interactive virtual forum on February 18th focused on recovery capital – the internal and external resources that help individuals initiate and maintain recovery from substance use disorders.
This forum will explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families, featuring panelists with lived experience to offer valuable insights.
Learn more and register at JEAP's website, or visit this link: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
#recovery #forum #addictionresearch
All papers published in the Frontiers in Public Health special issue, “Innovations in Recovery Science: Pathways, Policies, and Platforms that Promote Thriving After Addiction” have been compiled into an ebook, accessible to everyone for free! 📙👥
➡️ Download the ebook here: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/61837/innovations-in-recovery-science-pathways-policies-and-platforms-that-promote-thriving-after-addiction/magazine
#frontiersinpublichealth #research #recoveryscience #addiction
🎉 @chearresearch and @jeapinitiative Investigators Kristyn Zajac, Ashli Sheidow, and Tess Drazdowski are guest editors of a special issue of the journal Emerging Adulthood focused on recovery from substance use disorders. Please consider submitting your manuscripts and sharing with colleagues! The submission deadline is March 1st, 2026.
Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/msx3r5rv
JEAP research scientists recently published an article in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology titled "Legal Outcomes of Task-Shifting Contingency Management for Youth Substance Use to Rural Probation Officers: Secondary Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial." This study found that legal system consequences do not worsen when JPOs deliver contingency management (CM), and that the likelihood of a new charge actually decreases when JPOs deliver CM. Task-shifting CM for youth substance use to JPOs could increase treatment access in rural communities. 📄 Read the article here: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2027-50452-003.html APA Journals The National Institute on Drug Abuse - NIDA
The final JEAP Initiative newsletter is out! 🌟 Read it for some big announcements about JEAP, plus updates on upcoming grants, conferences, and ways to participate in recovery science research.
🌟 SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Eleanor Byrd 🌟 Eleanor will be one of several speakers during our FREE virtual forum on recovery capital. Join the JEAP Initiative and the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR) on February 18th to explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families. Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
🚨 New webinar alert! 🚨 Harnessing Community Power: Using the Task-Shifting Model for Emerging Adult Recovery in Underserved Areas 📅 Feb 18, 2026 | 12–1:30 pm MDT | 1–2:30 pm CDT Join Dr. Tess Drazdowski to learn how non-traditional support networks—parents, peers, probation officers—can expand recovery access for emerging adults in rural areas. Key takeaways: ✅ Understand barriers to treatment for 18–26-year-olds ✅ Learn how to strengthen recovery capital ✅ Explore practical task-shifting strategies for your community Next week! Register here: https://und.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wKgiEQkmShiNwdjp_Tpz3Q#/registration
📢 Call for Nominations: Join the IPRCC! 📢 The Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (IPRCC) is excited to announce that nominations are now open for new Committee members! They are seeking scientific experts and members of the public who are passionate about advancing pain research and improving the lives of people affected by pain. The IPRCC welcomes nominations from individuals with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. Serving on the Committee offers a meaningful opportunity to help inform national research priorities, foster collaboration across federal agencies, and drive real progress in pain management and policy. 📝 Application details: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/30/2026-01865/national-institute-of-neurological-disorders-and-stroke-interagency-pain-research-coordinating ⏰ Nomination deadline: February 27, 2026
🌟SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT: Sandy Valentine 🌟 Sandy will be one of several wonderful speakers during our FREE virtual forum on recovery capital. Join the JEAP Initiative and the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR) on February 18th to explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families. Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
📆 Mark your calendars! The JEAP Initiative and the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR) are co-sponsoring a free 90-minute interactive virtual forum on February 18th focused on recovery capital – the internal and external resources that help individuals initiate and maintain recovery from substance use disorders. This forum will explore critical gaps in recovery capital among emerging adults and their families, featuring panelists with lived experience to offer valuable insights. Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-capital-forum/
All papers published in the Frontiers in Public Health special issue, “Innovations in Recovery Science: Pathways, Policies, and Platforms that Promote Thriving After Addiction” have been compiled into an ebook, accessible to everyone for free! 📙👥 ➡️ Download the ebook here: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/61837/innovations-in-recovery-science-pathways-policies-and-platforms-that-promote-thriving-after-addiction/magazine
📥 Applications Open: PCORI Advisory Panel Spotlight Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute - PCORI is seeking applications and letters of support for open advisory panel positions through March 6, 2026. Advisory panels are one way PCORI brings valuable perspectives from the healthcare community into PCORI's work. Consider applying or submitting a letter of support today! Learn more:
The Ready to Work research study is inviting young adults ages 18-26 who were formerly involved in the juvenile justice system to participate in an online focus group or interview about the challenges and strategies related to employment after involvement in the justice system. Take the eligibility survey here: https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEc4jWYLceAaKcC
📍 The 2026 Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery will be taking place March 24-26 in Baltimore, MD! Hosted by the Massachusetts General Hospital National Center on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery, this national conference brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, youth, and their loved ones to learn about the latest research, policy, and practice innovations on youth substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery. Learn more and sign up for email updates at youthrecoveryanswers.org/national-conference
⏯ If you were unable to attend our recent virtual forum on Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) in substance use research, the recording is now available online! During the forum, we introduced the CBPR Toolkit for Substance Use Research, a practical resource developed by Chestnut Health Systems to support researchers in applying CBPR principles across all stages of a project. The toolkit incorporates lessons learned from extensive collaboration with individuals with lived experience through initiatives such as the JEAP Initiative Community Boards and the HEAL Connections Lived Experience Panel. Access the recording and toolkit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Mka3TFt-M #CBPR #CommunityEngagement #HealthEquity #SubstanceUseResearch
Have you ever wanted specialized training and mentoring in research? Are you interested in the health/criminal legal system nexus? Consider applying to the JCOIN LEAP Scholars/Investigators year-long program! Applications are due September 15th. Learn more and apply: https://www.jcoinctc.org/leap-2025/scholar-application/
Take a moment to read this guest editorial by Emily Pasman, one of our wonderful JEAP trainees! 🖋 Reconceptualizing Recovery: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health
📆 Join us September 22 for a free virtual forum launching the Community-Engaged Substance Use Research: Effective Community Board Partnerships Using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) toolkit! This 90-minute session will highlight practical strategies for building meaningful, equitable research partnerships featuring insights from Community Board members and researchers. The forum will walk through key themes from the toolkit and offer space for reflection and dialogue. Learn more and register: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/applying-cbpr-methods-forum/
The JEAP Initiative Summer 2025 newsletter is out! ☀️ Check out our upcoming CBPR toolkit forum, research opportunities, new publications from our team members and collaborators, and more! Read it here:
📣 There is a NEW funding opportunity from JCOIN Coordination and Translation Center! Applications are due August 31, 2025. The JCOIN Rapid Innovation Grant (J-RIG) program provides funding to support pilot projects, feasibility studies, and program evaluation projects focused on emerging policies, practices, or interventions that address the prevention and treatment of overdose and addiction among individuals involved in the criminal legal system. Projects may take place outside of criminal legal settings, but must maintain direct relevance to that population.
🎉 Big news - the final chapters have been added to our CBPR toolkit! In collaboration with our partners, the JEAP Initiative team has just released the complete version of our toolkit on working with community boards. This free online resource was created to help substance use researchers build meaningful partnerships with people with lived experience. ➡️ Access the toolkit here: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/resources-cbpr/
📄📣 NEW publication from the JEAP Initiative team! This article, published in Frontiers in Public Health, details how JEAP engaged with three community boards – consisting of young adults with experience in recovery from substance use issues, people who have a history of criminal legal system involvement and recovery, and payers and provider of substance use services and harm reduction – to understand on-the-ground priorities for research into recovery support services. Read it here:
📖 Our close collaborator Jess Hulsey, founder of Addiction Policy Forum, recently published a book titled Understanding Addiction: A Guide for Families. She shares her own family's struggles with addiction to help dispel myths and misinformation about addiction. Based on decades of research and experience, she offers pragmatic suggestions for dealing with substance use disorders, from understanding levels of severity and diagnosis, evidence-based treatment options, relapse prevention strategies, and resources for family members. Find it here:
Following our collaborative 3-part forum series on EA recovery support services research with CHEARR (the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research), we have created a recap that summarizes each session and key takeaways from the series. ➡️ Access the recap here: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/resources/
In collaboration with our partners, the JEAP Initiative’s team at Chestnut Health Systems has recently released new chapters of the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) toolkit! This free online resource was created to help substance use researchers build meaningful partnerships with people with lived experience. ➡️ Access the toolkit here: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/resources-cbpr/
📅 Drs. Ashli Sheidow and Tess Drazdowski will be presenting multiple sessions during the National Conference on Addiction Recovery Science on April 23rd and 24th. If you have an interest in treatment and recovery research, be sure to attend! 📍 Learn more about #NCARS2025 and register here: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/coarsconference/
🖊📖 A 2024 research article led by Emily Pasman (one of the JEAP Initiative’s off-site trainees) and co-authored by Tess Drazdowski was cited in a March 2025 blog post by NIDA Director Nora Volkow. Read it here:
'The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research' focuses on innovative approaches to youth violence prevention that utilize consistent principles found within existing best practices but are dynamic and adaptable across settings—and the sociohistorical and cultural realities of those settings. This book features scholars anchored in applied practices who can ground these forward-thinking strategies in the substantive base of research and theory that has produced successful interventions across multiple disciplines. 📣➡️ PRE-ORDER NOW and use code RUP30 for 30% off and free US shipping from Rutgers University Press: http://youthviolence.rutgers.edu
🎙 PODCAST: From Research Lab to Real Life: How Translational Science is Changing the Fight Against Addiction William L. White, an Emeritus Senior Research Consultant at Chestnut Health Systems/Lighthouse Institute, appeared on The Catalyst to discuss best practices in treating people suffering from addiction, among many other topics. Listen now on Substack:
📅 Dr. Ashli Sheidow will be presenting at this year's virtual Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery on Thursday, March 20th. We invite you to join us for her session, titled: "The Future of Emerging Adult Substance Use Research" 🌱 Learn more about JMYPTR and register here: https://youthrecoveryanswers.org/national-conference/
The JEAP Initiative Winter 2025 newsletter is out! ❄️ Check out our list of resources for people with lived criminal legal system experience, our new intern, study recruitment opportunities, and more! Read it here:
📆 This forum series co-sponsored by the JEAP Initiative and the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research is open for registration! These discussions are designed to inspire early career and senior investigators to conduct new or expanded research on emerging adult recovery support services. REGISTER HERE: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/ea-recovery-support-forums/