Harm Reduction Coalition Annual Report 2017
Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces for dialogue and action that help heal the harms caused by racialized drug policies.
2017 Highlights Syringe Access
Supported advocates and officials in multiple states pursuing syringe access legislation and implementation
Overdose Prevention
Facilitating Leadership Development For People Who Use Drugs
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Annual Report 2017
Collaborated with national advocates to call for federal funding for syringe access programs
Building Community
Advocated for stronger federal and state leadership on access to naloxone and medicationassisted treatment
Provided leadership and guidance on responding to the overdose risks of illicitly manufactured fentanyl
Hosted monthly in-service for the Peer Network of New York and HCV Peer Navigators
Led the New York State Harm Reduction Peer Foundational Training Curriculum and Training series
Engaged housing and homelessness service providers on shared harm reduction strategies
Advanced access to overdose prevention and naloxone funding as federal priorities
Strengthened federal agency commitment to syringe access programs Partnered with advocates and experts to advocate for hepatitis C elimination in New York State
Joined advocates and allies to launch the End Overdose NY campaign Called for the establishment of safer consumption spaces
It Has Been an Exciting Year For Harm Reduction Coalition. As a commitment to ensure that the organization reflects on its mission, Harm Reduction Coalition, led by Monique, embarked on a two-year strategic visioning exercise last year to reimagine the future of harm reduction. In response to a dramatic shift in the political landscape and the increased toll of the overdose epidemic, we developed a new North Star statement to orient the organization, and articulate a clear vision to guide us as we move forward: “Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces for dialogue and action that help heal the harms caused by racialized drug policies.” To better engage the broader harm reduction world, we held many listening sessions where we heard that people are hungry for stronger advocacy networks and infrastructure support, and they need answers about how to deal with the opioid crises in their communities. This year we expanded our West Coast operations by laying the foundation for the re-opening of the East Bay Training Institute in Oakland, and expanding our funding base. This will allow us to leverage our extensive experience advocating for, and training, best practices for syringe services programs. We will miss Sharon Stancliff, who served for ten years as Harm Reduction Coalition’s Medical Director. Her unwavering focus on overdose prevention and naloxone distribution impacted several jurisdictions in the US and abroad. As the opioid epidemic worsens, it remains crucial to keep harm reduction real, by keeping people with lived experiences central to solutions and equipped to be part of conversations; by committing to racial justice; and by challenging rhetoric that seemingly—but does not actually— include harm reduction. It's been a productive year of growth, reflection, and expanded focus. I am honored to serve as Board Chair and look forward to the time to come.
2017 has been an exciting year for Harm Reduction Coalition, one filled with reflection, innovations, and growth. Last year, we supported advocates and officials in multiple states pursuing syringe access legislation and implementation. We provided leadership and guidance on responding to the overdose risks associated with fentanyl; trained nearly 6,000 people to reverse an opioid overdose; and piloted our Peer Foundational Training Program. Despite these successes, we’ve also struggled through a tough period of transition. Internally, we’re working hard to improve our organizational infrastructure, which hasn’t kept pace with the demand for our services. We’ve launched a number of important changes in the way we work with each other and with our partners to ensure we have a strong foundation upon which we can grow. We’ve been on the road a lot—listening to you and collaborating on ways Harm Reduction Coalition can help address the issues that affect your communities. In a few months, many of you will be joining us in New Orleans for the 12th National Harm Reduction Conference, and we can hardly contain our excitement! The conference team is cooking up an extra special program, driven in large part by you. This year’s theme is centered around racial justice and we have a number of workshops, roundtables, and other activities that encourage the harm reduction community to examine the way in which we integrate racial justice in our practices. We hope to bridge divides and build a strong, unified movement. Thank you to all our partners—funders, advocates, and community members—for your support and unwavering commitment to upholding everyone’s right to health and well-being, and ensuring that everyone has the right and opportunity to participate in the public policy dialogue. Our work is more important now than it ever has been, and together we can be the change we want to see in the world. In Solidarity,
Professor Susan Sherman, MPH, PhD Chair, Board of Directors, Harm Reduction Coalition
Monique Tula Executive Director, Harm Reduction Coalition
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Our Impact 2017 By the Numbers Training and Capacity Building
Peer Workforce Development
17
1,118
38
states (includes
training hours
Peer Foundational Training Program graduates
District of Columbia)
Overdose Prevention
5,935
199
13,581
1,266
training participants
trainings
naloxone kits distributed or refilled
(San Francisco only)
Corrections Initiatives
reversals reported
Community Development
2,456
863
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people under criminal justice supervision trained to use naloxone
people leaving criminal justice settings received naloxone kits
interventions on harm reduction at the United Nations
People leaving correctional settings are particularly vulnerable to overdose. Harm Reduction Coalition has an ongoing partnership with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the New York State Department of Health.
NEW TOOLS
Online Training Modules Be on the lookout for three new, self-paced online modules that will be launched in 2018, making it easier than ever to learn about: • Harm Reduction Approach • Overdose Prevention Strategies • Engaging People Who Use Drugs
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Annual Report 2017
Harm Reduction Trainings 2017 HIGHLIGHTS WA
California In September 2017, over 100 syringe access program staff from across California joined together to share best practices, discuss new initiatives, and priorities for 2018. As a precursor to the statewide needs assessment and listening sessions, Harm Reduction Coalition hosted an open house to connect with providers to hear about what resources were needed.
NH MA CT
NY PA NV CA
UT
It is difficult to overstate how vital the Harm Reduction Coalition has been to capacity building in Maryland as we stand up Syringe Services Programs. We couldn't recommend them highly enough for those looking for short term help and looking to build up their own long-term capacity as they seek to address the harms associated with drugs and the barriers to adopting helpful, evidence-based, and compassionate approaches. – Andrew Bell, Maryland Trainings
Harm Reduction Coalition has been instrumental in providing technical assistance for a local health department starting one of the first harm reduction programs in West Virginia. Their expertise allowed us to build a program that fit the needs of our community and allowed the decision making to occur at our level. They have continued to provide outstanding assistance anytime we are in need. – Tim Hazlett, Cabell-Huntington Health Department
IN
CO
WV VA
MD DC
TX FL
Maryland In November and December 2017, Harm Reduction Coalition provided a series of trainings to support expansion of syringe service programs in Maryland. Thirty providers are now approved and prepared to implement new syringe service programs across the state, and a second cohort will be trained in 2018.
West Virginia In August 2017, HRC collaborated with AIDS United and the New York City Department of Health to host the Appalachian Harm Reduction Summit in Charleston, West Virginia. Providers from West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Colorado came together to explore how to advance harm reduction including syringe service and overdose programs in their communities.
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Faith in Harm Reduction In collaboration with Judson Memorial Church, Harm Reduction Coalition launched a unique initiative to build bridges between the harm reduction and faith communities. Faith in Harm Reduction is the only program in the country dedicated to building capacity and mobilizing community at the intersection of harm reduction and faith-based organizing. Born from conversations with communities of faith, harm reduction organizations, and unions of people who use drugs throughout the United States, Faith in Harm Reduction fills a unique role as connector, community mobilizer, and capacity builder, fostering innovative—and previously untapped—cross-sector collaborations to expand and strengthen harm reduction in principle, practice, and policy.
Since its inception in Fall 2017, Faith in Harm Reduction has contributed thought leadership, vision, and direction for overdose and other harm reduction advocacy events and conferences, including the following key events: • Faith Leader Panelist at Clinton Foundation and John Hopkins School of Public Health’s America’s Opioid Crisis: From Evidence to Impact summit, Baltimore, MD • Conduct Opioid Overdose Memorial Service for New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Lifesavers Event, New York, NY • Create and host Shaping Sanctuary Summit – The Role of Faith Leaders in Transforming the Overdose Crisis at Judson Memorial Church, New York, NY
Goal To expand support for harm reduction messages, practices, and policies among faith leaders in the United States through resource development, capacity building, and community mobilization Objectives • Build a network of faith leaders that will advance responses to the overdose crisis that are rooted in compassion, dignity, and social justice • Advocate for a spiritual and theological approach to address the overdose crisis and the harms of racialized drug policy • Confront the root causes that increase vulnerability to drug-related harm • Encourage a healing movement for people who use drugs or have a history of drug use • Support public policies that expand harm reduction and other evidence- based, community-led education, prevention, and treatment opportunities for persons at risk of opioid overdose
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Annual Report 2017
Harm reduction is holy, faith-full resistance, rooted in love and unapologetically insistent on justice. It is the expression of radical welcome, the welcoming of all stories and paths. Harm reduction calls people by name, and attends to and cherishes the particularities. It is a hospitality that seeks people out, meets them where they are and invites them into loving community. Harm reduction is love that stands with awe at the hardships that people carry, rather than stands in judgment at how they carry it.
Planning for the Future Listening Sessions Last year, we began hosting listening sessions to learn more about how Harm Reduction Coalition can support the work of our partners around the country. To date, more than 350 stakeholders have participated in the community listening sessions in Montreal, Chicago, Boston, Jackson, Michigan, New York, and California. Participants joined Harm Reduction Coalition staff for candid conversations about the state of harm reduction in their communities, including how people with lived experience are meaningfully involved in policy and programmatic decision making, and how the opioid crisis is affecting their communities. Several important themes emerged that are informing our strategic priorities for the coming years. Stay tuned!
Our volunteers are deeply appreciative of the ongoing support and solidarity of Harm Reduction Coalition through personal and professional relationships, as well as scholarships to their biannual conference that convenes national allies. – Nora Trystereo, New Orleans Harm Reduction Network
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Our Team STAFF MEMBERS
Kacey Byczek
Capacity Building Services Manager East, NY
Maria Chavez
National Conference Director, CA
Hiawatha Collins
Jamie Favaro
Harm Reduction Community Mobilization Coordinator, NY
Senior Advisor of Strategy and Special Projects, NY
J. K. Fowler
Taeko Frost
Nicole Godreau
Charles Hawthorne
Carolina M. Lรณpez
Kristen Marshall
William Matthews
Bethany Medley
Tanagra Melgarejo
Benjamin Phillips
Erica Poellot
Daniel Raymond
Director of Communications, CA
Deputy Director of Administration and Finance, NY
Capacity Building Services Manager West, CA
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Annual Report 2017
Western Regional Director, CA
DOPE Project Manager, CA
Special Projects Coordinator, NY
Community Engagement and Events Coordinator, CA
Physician Assistant, NY
Director of Faith and Community Partnerships, NY
Capacity Building Coordinator, CA
Opioid Program Manager, NY
Deputy Director of Planning and Policy, NY
We have the good fortune to receive training from staff at the Harm Reduction Coalition. We have found their trainings to be thorough, cutting edge, and delivered with great skill! We work with the hardest-to-reach, hardest-toserve segment of the homeless veteran population and these trainings have been very helpful in strengthening our skills and enhancing our effectiveness with the challenging folks we serve. – Leo Joslin, Swords to Ploughshares, San Francisco Emma Roberts
Director of Capacity Building Services East, NY
Mike Selick
Hepatitis C Training and Policy Manager, NY
BOARD MEMBERS
Sidie Sisay
Office Manager, NY
Kimberly Sue
Medical Director, NY
Marissa Stiebel
Administration and Data Coordinator, NY
Monique Tula
Executive Director, CA / NY Staff not pictured:
Joanna Berton-Martinez
Senior Trainer and Curricula Developer, CA
Keila NuĂąez
Senior Accountant
Nancy Nwaifejokwu Eliza Wheeler
Opioid Response Strategist, CA
Director of Development, CA / NY
Kiefer Paterson
Government Relations Manager, DC
Susan Sherman, MPH, PhD (Chair) Associate Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Dakarai Larriett Global Program Manager, Elizabeth Arden, New York, NY Billy Pick, MSW, JD Senior Technical Adviser, Bureau for Global Health, Office of HIV/AIDS, US Agency for International Development, Washington, DC
Alex H. Kral, PhD (Vice Chair) Director, Urban Health Program, Research Triangle Institute International, San Francisco, CA
Nandini Pillai Programs and Operations Officer, Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sabin Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC
Marcia McIntosh, CPA (Treasurer) Controller - Portfolio Reporting, YMCA Retirement Fund, New York, NY Russell Barbour, PhD Associate Director for Statistics, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT Mark Kinzly Co-founder, Texas Overdose Naloxone Initiative (TONI), Patient Navigator Hep C Project, Austin Harm Reduction Coalition, TX
Carlos Roig Chief Strategic Officer, Subject Matter Washington, DC Julie Stampler Mother, Activist, Actor, Business Owner, New York, NY
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Thank You! By championing the principles of justice and dignity, every single one of our contributors are critical to the vibrancy of the harm reduction movement. Thank you for standing with us! 2017 SUPPORTERS Harm Reduction Coalition received significant support from the following individuals, private institutions, and public institutions: Adapt Pharma
Christopher Lowe
Jeffrey Carneal
AIDS United
Comer Family Foundation
Jodie Miller
amfAR
Julie Stampler
Elton John AIDS Foundation
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Fishman Family
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
California Department of Heath Office of AIDS
H. van Ameringen Foundation
MAC AIDS Fund New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Open Society Foundations OraSure Technologies, Inc. San Francisco Department of Public Health Syringe Access Fund
New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute
Finance Revenue Breakdown 2017
New York State 27%
NYC
9% CA
10%
All percentages are rounded.
San Francisco 12%
NY State
California 10%
27%
New York City 9%
Earned Income 11% SF
12%
Foundation 27%
Foundation
27%
Earned Income 11% (including Capacity Building fee for services and fiscal sponsorship work) Individual Giving 2% Corporate 2%
Design by Imaginary Office
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Annual Report 2017
Government Total 59%
Join Us In New Orleans! For more information, visit: https://harmreduction.org/conference/
Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces for dialogue and action that help heal the harms caused by racialized drug policies.
Because of Harm Reduction Coalition’s training and guidance, we are able to meet the folks we serve where they are at and ensure we don't leave them there…but guide them along the way. – Adriana, Jericho Housing
Photo: Nigel Brundson Harm Reduction Coalition
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Harm Reduction Coalition is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health and dignity of individuals and communities affected by drug use. Our efforts advance harm reduction policies, practices and programs that address the adverse effects of drug use including overdose, HIV, hepatitis C, addiction, and incarceration. Recognizing that social inequality and injustice magnify drugrelated harm and limit the voice of our most vulnerable communities, we work to uphold every individual’s right to health and well-being and their competence to participate in the public policy dialogue.
East Coast Office
West Coast Office
22 West 27th Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 Tel: (212) 213-6376 Fax: (212) 213-6582 hrc@harmreduction.org
111 Broadway, Floor 3 Oakland, CA 94607 Tel: (510) 444-6969 hrcwest@harmreduction.org