Employment is often a crucial factor for people in addiction recovery—it serves as a stabilizing force that is proven to help many avoid relapse. Unfortunately, finding a job coming out of rehabilitation or incarceration is also notoriously difficult. That not only makes life more precarious for individuals, but it hampers economic growth in many regions of the country. All told, some 2.7M adults are out of the labor force because of addiction—at a time when there aren’t enough workers to meet demand. The Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) and the state’s Healthcare Workforce Collaborative got together to create the Career Ladders in Mental and Behavioral Health (CLIMB-Health), which is now nearing the end of its first year. The program provides a pathway for people in recovery and reentry to quickly earn a certificate that qualifies them for jobs as entry-level peer support specialists serving others in recovery. And as they gain work experience, they can continue earning certificates and credit toward two- and four-year degrees in human services.