Everyone knows someone who has been touched by the opioid crisis and or/substance abuse.   One of the roadblocks that people in recovery have to navigate is finding and keeping employment.

Speakers will include the VT Attorney General, TJ Donovan and Mickey Wyles of Working Fields.

TJ will share how the State of Vermont is fighting the opiate crisis by suing major drug manufacturers, supporting law enforcement efforts, creating policy decisions on employers’ rights and responsibilities under the new marijuana law. TJ’s efforts to reduce recidivism and a program available to non-violent offenders are key factors in helping Vermonters succeed.  

Mickey Wyle’s experiences as an employee and employer while in recovery will give insight into those roadblocks and how we as employers can help others to be successful. Both speakers will present different views of the impact of how employing people in recovery will help Vermont employers to fill vacant positions and make Vermont’s workforce more dynamic.

Speaker Bio's:

TJ Donovan was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont. TJ began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, PA, before returning to Vermont to work as a Deputy Chittenden County State’s Attorney. TJ worked as a criminal defense attorney and a civil litigation lawyer before he was elected Chittenden County State’s Attorney in 2006. TJ served as State’s Attorney for 10 years.

As State’s Attorney, TJ worked to reduce recidivism and address the causes of criminality. In 2010, TJ started the Rapid Intervention Community Court, an award winning criminal justice program available to non-violent offenders whose crimes have been driven by addiction or mental illness.

TJ continues to fight to make Vermont communities healthier, safer and more prosperous. As Attorney General, he is committed to providing greater access to justice, fighting to end the opiate epidemic, supporting businesses and protecting consumers, defending the environment and standing up for the civil rights of all Vermonters.

TJ earned a J.D. from Suffolk Law School in 2000 and B.A. from Merrimack College in 1996. TJ currently lives in Chittenden County with his wife Jessica and their two sons.

WORKING FIELDS is a staffing agency that specializes in connecting employers in need of high quality and dedicated staff who, for various reasons, are looking to improve their lives through securing sustainable employment.

Mickey Wyles will share his experience in working with people in recovery and how Working Fields provides employers the chance to engage qualified people who are seeking a second chance. Working Fields evaluates and monitors the candidates before and throughout staffing assignments. Staffing through Working Fields allows employers to be part of a solution in the community.