Podcast Community Inclusion with Jim Kochany About the Episode Date: March 4, 2022 Episode 14: Community Inclusion with Jim Kochany Summary Community inclusion means that people, regardless of their disabilities, have the right to participate fully in public life. The goal of community inclusion is to create inclusive, diverse communities which are welcoming without labeling. Community inclusion promotes active engagement in the everyday world and participation in mainstream community life, like everyone else. It takes place outside of institutions and agencies, which segregate participants. Peer Recovery Specialists can advocate for change by initiating conversations to address the need for unbiased community inclusion and overcome the obstacles of stigma, discrimination, and marginalization. Jim Kochany is a Registered-Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Family Support Partner, and Certified Community Health Worker. He is currently in a new position as a Community Inclusion Specialist for Henrico County but has worked with the CSB since 2016 on their Assertive Community Treatment Team and Psychosocial/Rehab Treatment programs. Jim is also DBHDS-certified as a trainer for the Peer Recovery Specialist certificate training program and a recovery ally trainer.   Jim Kochany, CPRSkoc003@henrico.us Resources Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion Spirit Works Foundation The Peer Facilitated Community Inclusion Toolkit ARCO Faces and Voices of Recovery NAMI Pledge to be Stigma-Free Virginia Commonwealth University Rams in Recovery