The BeHERE Initiative at Health Resources in Action

Health Resources in Action’s Behavioral Health and Racial Equity Initiative, or BeHERE, is proud to announce the launch of Improving Overdose Safety at Work: A Public Health Learning Cohort focused on overdose prevention, response, and postvention.  Applications will go live on October 23rd, 2023. 

For questions, please contact:

Who are we?

At BeHERE, we build capacity in opioid overdose prevention, recognition, and response among service providers and support staff in community corrections centers, homeless shelters, family shelters, public libraries, public housing, and other venues. Our BeHERE trainings and technical assistance services are funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response grants, administered through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. Learn more at behereinitiative.org. 

What is this cohort about? 

Improving Overdose Safety at Work will serve as a learning community and network that connects public health workers, front lines workers, and other service providers dealing with different public health topics. This cohort is an opportunity to learn in a peer setting about what different organizational policies can look like and how to implement them.  The cohort will also offer guidance around advocacy and work planning to give you the skills to bring organizational leaders on board and take real steps toward a comprehensive overdose safety policy. 

Why did we develop this cohort?

As the American overdose crisis accelerates, many organizations are grappling with how to address overdose within their agencies in a practical way.  You may be working in a setting with people who are at risk for overdose, even if your primary job is not specific to overdose prevention. This could be a community corrections center, homeless shelter, family shelter, public library, public housing development, transitional assistance program, disability service, or other venue.  Ensuring our organizations have policies and practices for overdose safety is vital and helps ensure safety for all.  You may be committed to enhancing your overdose safety protocols, even if your organization is not fully on board yet. 

Who should apply? 

If you are interested and committed to bolstering your organization’s overdose prevention efforts, then this cohort is for you!  All levels of experience and leadership within an organization are welcome in this cohort.  Applications will be reviewed by our internal team at Health Resources in Action.  We will be accepting no more than 3 applicants from any one organization. 
 
If I am accepted into the cohort, what can I anticipate?  

In this cohort, participants will: 
  • Gain new perspectives to address stigma, including changes to language, behaviors, policies, and environment 
  • Develop skills to incorporate trauma-informed practices and healing centered approaches into program activities to better serve staff and clients   
  • Think critically and practically about implementing promising policies and practices around overdose<
What is the time commitment? 

The cohort will consist of 4 sessions, from the beginning of March through the end of May, 2024.  Two of the sessions will be in person and two will be held virtually.  To be accepted into the cohort, you must be able to commit to all four sessions. The session times and dates are listed below: 
  • Session 1: March 5th, 2024 – IN PERSON, LOCATION TBD (LIKELY BOSTON)
  • Session 2: March 21st, 2024 – VIRTUAL
  • Session 3: April 9th, 2024 – VIRTUAL 
  • Session 4: May 2nd, 2024 – IN PERSON, LOCATION TBD (LIKELY BOSTON) 

Is there a cost? 

This cohort is FREE to all service providers in Massachusetts thanks to generous funding from the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  We are accepting a limited number of applicants so be sure to submit your application by December 1st!   Applications will open on October 23rd.   

When will I find out if I am accepted into the cohort? 

We will send out final decisions for all applicants at the end of January 2024.
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