1.5 CEUs: The Principles of Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction (part 1)

Virtual on Zoom | Tuesday, May 9, 2023 @ 12 - 1:30pm EST.  

Sponsored by RIZE Massachusetts and the National Harm Reduction Coalition

Speakers: Tanagra M. Melgarejo, MSW, & Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS

Part 1: The Principles of Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction is a workshop designed to educate social workers on the importance of cultural humility and its relationship to harm reduction. After the workshop, participants will be able to integrate the principles of cultural humility and harm reduction into their work and will have some key tools to effectively engage with diverse communities. The workshop will cover the following topics:

• What is cultural humility and why is it important in harm reduction?
• Identifying power imbalances in the provision of healthcare and social services.
• Strategies for building trust and engaging with communities affected by substance use in a culturally humble manner.
• Case studies and interactive activities to enhance understanding and application of the material.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the concept of cultural humility and its importance in the context of harm reduction.
• Recognize and identify power imbalances in the provision of healthcare and social services.
• Develop strategies for building trust and engaging with communities affected by substance use in a culturally humble manner.

Free event

Webinar details (Zoom link and course evaluation form) will be shared a day before the webinar.

This is a three-part series:

Part 2: Unpacking Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction: Giving Space for Mistakes is a workshop that aims to provide social workers a space to put in practice the principles of cultural humility in the context of their harm reduction work with clients. It will focus on the following:

• The importance of self-reflection and self-awareness in working with diverse communities affected by substance use.
• Giving space for mistakes and learning from them in order to improve the provision of culturally humble and harm reduction-oriented care.
• Utilizing case studies and interactive activities to enhance understanding and application of the material.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and address one's own biases and privileges in working with diverse communities.
• Develop skills to work effectively with marginalized communities in a culturally humble and harm reduction-oriented manner.
• Understand the importance of ongoing self-reflection and self-awareness in maintaining cultural humility in practice.

Click here to register for part 2

Part 3: The Lived Experience of Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction from a Client Perspective is a workshop that aims to educate social workers on the importance of cultural humility in harm reduction from the perspective of individuals and communities impacted by substance use. It will focus on the following topics:

• Hearing the lived experiences of persons impacted by substance use in regards to the provision of healthcare and social services.
• Building trust and engaging with persons engaged in substance use in a culturally humble manner by incorporating the perspectives and experiences of clients.

This panel discussion will be led by people with lived experience of substance use and those who have worked in harm reduction. It will be an interactive and inclusive experience, providing opportunities for group discussion, reflection, and skill-building. 

Learning objectives:

• Understand the lived experiences of individuals and communities affected by substance use in regards to the provision of healthcare and social services.
• Incorporate the perspectives of clients in building trust and engaging with communities affected by substance use in a culturally humble manner.

Click here to register for part 3