$12.2 million in awards announced through the California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI) for syringe service programs in the state.

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The National Harm Reduction Coalition announces $12.2 million in awards through the California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI) ([link removed]) for syringe service programs in the state. CHRI represents historic funding — both as the largest government investment in syringe services and as the first staffing support for harm reduction programs in the state in 10 years. CHRI funded 37 California Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) with an average award amount of $329,805 over three years.

CHRI is a new initiative in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Office of Aids (OA). Syringe service programs will receive direct funding to increase staffing as well as ongoing technical assistance and training from National Harm Reduction Coalition.

“CHRI represents California’s strong, decades-long support for harm reduction, a branch of public health that embraces the health, safety, and wellbeing of people who use drugs without judgement or coercion. The programs supported by this initiative – which encompass services such as syringe access and safe disposal, overdose prevention, and connection to substance use disorder treatment – are a vital part of our state’s commitment to ending the HIV and overdose epidemics.” — Marisa Ramos, PhD, Division Chief, Office of AIDS

CHRI was established by the California Budget Act of 2019 to deepen linkage and engagement with other social service programs for people who use drugs through funding and technical assistance.

Funding will increase staffing at qualified SSPs, provide technical assistance, and evaluate results of funded programs across the state. National Harm Reduction Coalition is also devoting resources to develop a peer leadership and mentorship program that will foster the growth of California harm reduction programs by providing grantees opportunities to visit other sites, share skills, and develop a network of learning.

"California syringe services programs put together thoughtful and exciting proposals to receive CHRI funding and I'm so looking forward to seeing what this investment will mean for harm reduction and people who use drugs in California. These funded organizations will not only be able to serve more people throughout the state, they will also be able to have staffing to offer more services and care to each person." — Savannah O’Neill, Capacity Building and Community Mobilization Manager at National Harm Reduction Coalition

National Harm Reduction Coalition is committed to racial equity and meaningful inclusion of people who use drugs and prioritized funding projects that centered people most vulnerable to structural violence in California.

This funding will impact the reach of harm reduction to rural areas, communities of color, unhoused people, LGB TGNC+ people, and people who face barriers to accessing evidence-based programs that improve safety and wellbeing for people who use drugs.
Learn more about CHRI ([link removed])
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