Compassion for All: A Series on Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention, and Provider Resilience

The series aims to equip service substance use treatment professionals with the knowledge and tools to foster safer practices, support recovery, and maintain their well-being in the face of challenging circumstances.

These live virtual training activities will take place on Zoom..

Target audience: Clinical Content Level: Beginner

Note: It is not required to attend all four sessions.

Session 1: Harm Reduction Basics: Core Principles for Effective Practice presented by Rachel Sasseville, LICSW, LADC-I, Director of Corporate Training, Spectrum Health Systems

Thursday November 7, 2024 12-1pm

Course Description:

For decades, complete abstinence from alcohol and other substances has been the basis of treatment for substance use disorders in the U.S. While many treatment professionals believe that full recovery requires total abstinence, a harm reduction approach can prevent deaths and keep people alive and healthier in cases when total abstinence has not worked. In fact, harm reduction has been shown to be effective in preventing overdoses and saving lives. During this training activity, you’ll learn the foundational principles of harm reduction and explore how to effectively integrate these principles into your practice as a substance use professional.

Course Objectives:

·    Define harm reduction and its primary components

·    Recall how abstinence-based models can contribute to stigma of individuals with problematic substance use

·    List at least three current best practices for harm reduction in substance use treatments

Session 2: Bridging the Gap: Navigating the Harm Reduction Conversation presented by Mary Wheeler, Executive Director, Not One More Anonymous Death, Inc. (NOMAD)

Thursday 11/14 1-2pm

Course Description: This training will explore how effective harm reduction principles improves health outcomes for people who use substances, and how to apply evidence-informed, compassionate and non-stigmatizing practices in their work with clients. The activity will also explore a variety of resources available for community harm reduction programming, empowering professionals to better support their clients. By the end of the training, attendees will be equipped with practical tools and knowledge to foster safer, more inclusive care environments.

Course Objectives:

·    Explain the importance of harm reduction principles as it relates to improved health outcomes for people who use substances.

·    Identify at least three harm reduction strategies and language to utilize when working with people who use substances.

·    Describe resources for community harm reduction programming

Session 3: Thinking Outside the Narcan Box: Innovative Overdose Prevention Strategies presented by Kimber King, SafeSpot (MA Overdose Prevention Helpline)

Wednesday 11/20 1-2pm

Course Description: This training activity explores novel strategies for overdose prevention, emphasizing a multifaceted approach beyond naloxone. Participants will gain insights into the effectiveness of overdose prevention hotlines, the benefits of safe consumption sites, and the impact of Housing First models in reducing overdose rates. Through interactive discussion, attendees will learn how to integrate these innovative strategies into their practice to enhance client outcomes. By the end of the course, professionals will be equipped with a comprehensive toolkit for addressing overdose prevention in their communities.

Course Objectives:

·    Identify and describe at least three innovative overdose prevention strategies

·    Describe the impact and effectiveness of these strategies to reduce the rate of overdose for people who use drugs

Recall how to refer individuals to overdose prevention hotlines

Session 4: Grief and Loss for Direct Service Professionals presented by Gabe Quaglia & Jill Shanahan, Support After Death by an Overdose (SADOD)

Two offerings (when registering, choose one):

Thursday 12/5 12-2pm and Wednesday 12/11 2-4pm

** This session will not offer continuing education credit. **

Course Description: Grief is one of the most shared universal human experiences, and at the same time a truly unique personal experience. Grief is a natural emotional, somatic response to all kinds of loss, including but not limited to the death of someone(s). Grief can impact the physical, cognitive and spiritual realms of life. There are many different kinds of grief and many different ways people experience their grief. How one processes grief can often be influenced by culture and at times those around us. 

Direct Service Providers (DSP) working overdose crises are in a unique position often faced with multiple ongoing types of grief and loss. This training will explore this unique, shared experience of grief while providing education, resources, tips and tools for tending to grief. 

Course Objectives:

·    Define different types of grief and loss, especially kinds experienced in DSP work

·    Understand a brief history of death and dying in the US and how this influenced grieving culture

·    Identify what grief can look of feel like in themselves and others

·    Learn ways to support themselves and others in their grief

Recall resources for grief peer support for direct service providers

1.o Continuing Education Credit per training activity (please note: no CE credit offered for Grief and Loss sessions on 12/5 and 12/11)

• Mass Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
• Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6931. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
• This course is approved by Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 89245, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
• This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886493706-1133) for 2.5 continuing education contact hours.
• Pending approval from the American Nurses Association Massachusetts, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Spectrum’s training, technical assistance and consulting group provides customized education and training services to private providers, municipalities and public-sector agencies. All training services are tailored to the needs of the target audience.

For more information or to coordinate training for your organization,

contact Director of Corporate Training Rachel Sasseville at 

Rachel.sasseville@spectrumhealthsystems.org