Michael Askew is the Deputy Director of The Office of Recovery. In his role at Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to manage, provide leadership, and ensure SAMHSA’s needs are met. established to evaluate and initiate policy, programs and services with a recovery focus and ensure the voices of individuals in recovery are represented.
Previously, Mr. Askew served as the Director of Center for African American Recovery Development (CAARD), providing national leadership in advancing the development of African American Recovery Community Organizations in BIPOC Communities.
In his previous role, he was Director of Advocacy for Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) where he directed advocacy efforts with CCAR at the state legislature in supporting Recovery Community Centers, Clean Slate Initiative, Prison Reform and other advocacy efforts. Michael was the manager of the Bridgeport Recovery Community Center (BRCC) since its inception in 2006 – 2017.
Michael served on the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHMAS) State Advisory Board as a regional substance abuse board member, supporting the early structuring of their Recovery Oriented System of Care.
A self-identified person in recovery since May 28 1989, Michael has helped many people get into recovery, maintain and sustain their recovery. Michel has gained recognition as an experienced recovery advocate with 30 years in raising public awareness, prison reentry programs, supporting system and individual recovery processes, and building recovery capital on a local, state and federal level.
Among the many awards Michael has received, He was inducted into the 2020 CT Hall of Change as one of the “Great 8” recipients being recognized and memorialize as a former incarcerated person that made substantial contributions to Connecticut over the years.