Utah became the first state in the nation to pilot a new federal recovery initiative this morning, as Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed the Recovery Utah Initiative at the State Capitol — a sweeping order aimed at addiction, homelessness and mental illness.
Federal officials from Washington, D.C. traveled to Salt Lake City for the September 21, 2026 signing, underscoring the national significance of Utah being chosen to pilot the program.
Gov. Spencer J. Cox stands with dignitaries from Utah and Washington D.C. for the Recovery Utah Initiative at the State Capitol, September 21, 2026.
The initiative is patterned after a federal executive order signed earlier this year, and Utah is the first state selected to pilot the concept. At its core, the program is designed to closely align public sector organizations with private sector entities — including those with lived experience and faith-based groups — to improve services and outcomes for individuals facing addiction, homelessness and mental illness.
Read Governor Cox’s press release about the Executive Order
View the official Executive Order
Solutions Utah will share more details on the Recovery Utah Initiative as implementation moves forward.
