A local business shares how the Opioid Use Disorder Business Toolkit helped turn intention into action.

For many employers, the desire to support employees impacted by substance use disorder is there. The challenge is knowing how to translate that intention into clear, thoughtful policies and practices that work in the real world.

For Awake Window & Door Co., a Gilbert-based business rooted in craftsmanship and community, that question led them to partner with Valley Leadership and engage with the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Business Toolkit.

Like many Arizona employers, Awake Window & Door Co. recognized that opioid use disorder is not an abstract issue. It affects families, workplaces, and entire communities. Leadership wanted to ensure their internal policies reflected compassion, clarity, and support, while also maintaining a safe and productive work environment.

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Through onboarding with the OUD Business Toolkit, Awake worked closely with the Valley Leadership team to review and refine its existing substance use and recovery support policies. The process helped leadership identify gaps, clarify language, and ensure policies aligned with best practices and real employee needs.

“Kate and Paige have been a huge support helping us to refine our substance use and recovery support policies,” said Joe Mason, Awake’s Director of Training and Development. “We’re very proud of some of the changes and improvements that have been made thanks to the support of Valley Leadership and the Opioid Business Toolkit.”

That sense of pride is important. Rather than reacting to a crisis, Awake took a proactive approach, strengthening its workplace culture and setting clearer expectations for how employees are supported when challenges arise. The result was not just improved documentation, but increased confidence among leadership and staff that the organization is prepared to respond with care and consistency.

Awake’s experience also highlights a broader truth for Arizona employers. Building a recovery-ready workplace does not require reinventing the wheel or navigating complex issues alone. With the right tools and guidance, organizations of all sizes can take meaningful steps that support employee well-being while protecting organizational health.

The OUD Business Toolkit was designed with employers like Awake in mind. It provides practical resources, policy guidance, and leadership support to help organizations move from awareness to action.

For Arizona businesses looking to lead with intention, Awake Window & Door Co. offers a clear example. Recovery-ready leadership is not just possible. It’s already happening.

Learn more about the OUD Business Toolkit at www.oudbiztoolkit.org.