How to Measure the Effectiveness of Recovery Community Centers: Insights Gained From a Nationwide Survey of Directors of RCCs
An RCC, or Recovery Community Center, is a community-based brick-and-mortar hub where people seeking or in recovery can find support, connection, and resources. These centers provide peer-led services that range from social connection and emotional support to skill-building and goal-setting activities. As RCCs grow across the country, it is critical to understand their impact and how to measure it. It is important for nonprofits, funders, and policymakers seeking to invest in sustainable recovery infrastructure.
To address this need, a nationwide survey of RCC directors was conducted to learn which measures best capture the positive effects of RCCs on participants. Directors were invited to take part via email, with follow-up phone calls on several days to ensure broad participation. The survey was completed through a secure, web-based system. In the first part of the survey, directors shared basic information about their RCC, such as staff size, the types of services offered, and the number and demographics of people they serve. In the second part, directors reviewed a set of outcome measures and indicated which they believed could best show participant progress over time and demonstrate the impact of their RCC.
The survey looked at both short-term and long-term outcomes. Short-term outcomes included participant satisfaction and reflections on the center’s services, while long-term outcomes focused on recovery capital, quality of life, personal growth, and the achievement of life goals. The results highlighted the important role RCCs play in building recovery capital. For instance, 78% of directors said that social connection was one of the most important services they provide. Measures like the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital (BARC-10) and life-goal achievement reflected how RCCs help participants develop skills, gain confidence, and feel empowered. On average, the surveyed RCCs engaged around 530 participants each year, showing the wide reach and capacity of these centers.
Among the measures presented, 26% of RCC directors identified the BARC-10 as the best single measure of RCC impact, followed by a self-developed list of “Ways in which RCCs Confer Benefits,” selected by 20% of directors. Although no single measure fully captures the variety of ways RCCs support recovery, these findings show that recovery capital-focused measures are meaningful and widely recognized indicators of RCC success.
Key Takeaway: Recovery Community Centers are essential in the recovery ecosystem. By providing peer-led, community-based support across social, human, and community domains, RCCs strengthen recovery capital, empower participants, and foster sustainable recovery. This research gives RCCs practical, evidence-based tools to demonstrate their impact, secure funding, and guide investment in long-term recovery support.