New toolkit! Harm Reduction is Healthcare: Sustainable Funding for Harm Reduction Programs

We created this toolkit because harm reduction programs are under-resourced and need additional funding — with the U.S. reaching 100,000 overdose deaths in the first year of the pandemic there is an urgent need for the healthcare system to fund work that is designed and driven by people who use drugs across the country.

National Harm Reduction Coalition, Vital Strategies, In The Works, and Anka Consulting partnered to produce the “Harm Reduction is Healthcare: Sustainable Funding for Harm Reduction Programs” toolkit because we’re committed to seeing harm reduction grow and thrive -- and there is a unique opportunity unlike ever before to pursue healthcare financing. We’ve been leaders of harm reduction programs and know how exhausting the deliverable treadmill and precarious public health dollars can be. Not only is it possible to pursue healthcare financing in a way that doesn’t burden community-based harm reduction organizations with administrative or billing logistics, but the healthcare systems need harm reduction programs to partner with to better close the gaps on the continuum of care. This toolkit was designed for leaders of harm reduction programs and was conceptualized with the input of harm reduction leaders across the country.

This interactive toolkit contains several components, all free to access for harm reduction programs and organizers:

Harm Reduction is Healthcare E-Course (free!) — Not sure how the healthcare system works? Staying too busy running a program to keep up with the many changes of the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid Expansion? Maybe you are clear, but you have team members who need a crash course so they can participate in conversations. We've got you covered. Take our 90-minute e-course to refresh your memory, get on the same page about language and systems, and get inspired by case studies from your peers.
Harm Reduction is Healthcare: A Workbook for Harm Reduction Programs — After you've taken the e-course for background, take time to reflect, plan, and act to pursue healthcare financing options that make sense for your organization. The workbook includes self-assessments, links to downloadable templates, and facilitator guides on how to work with your team and community to make choices about partnerships with healthcare entities or expanding your own health services. You can download the full workbook in our public drive or navigate to our Resource Center for text-on-page accessibility.
Harm Reduction is Healthcare: An Overview — Download this simple handout with some key explanations to keep on hand for yourself or team members who are part of your assessment.
Harm Reduction is Healthcare: Glossary — Download this quick reference glossary of terms and processes that are commonly referred to throughout the e-course and in conversations about healthcare financing.

Harm Reduction is Healthcare: Sustainable Funding for Harm Reduction Programs — Facebook Live

Be sure to join us on the National Harm Reduction Coalition Facebook page on Tuesday, December 7 at 4:30 pm ET with toolkit contributors Dr. Kimá Taylor, MD, MPH of Anka Consulting, Taeko Frost, DrPH, MPH of In The Works, and Tracy Pugh, MHS of Vital Strategies.

Are you still looking for support with pursuing healthcare financing? In 2022, we will be offering additional group and individual-level support. Add your name to the list and tell us a bit more about what you're looking for. We will be reviewing responses in early 2022 and follow up via email.

You're receiving this e-mail because you're a colleague providing services, research, advocacy, or other supports for people who use drugs.

National Harm Reduction Coalition
243 Fifth Avenue
Box 529
New York, NY 10016
United States

Changed your mind? unsubscribe