Free Three-Part Series: Emerging Issues in Harm Reduction: Family and Community Work

Tuesday, June 25 @ 12:00 - 1:30pm EST

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

Sponsored by RIZE Massachusetts and the National Harm Reduction Coalition

Virtual on Zoom

This workshop is tailored for social workers engaged in using a harm reduction approach, addressing the complex challenges associated with managing risk in their work with clients. Principles of harm reduction will be reviewed and practical skills to assess, mitigate, and communicate effectively about risks will be introduced. The workshop will provide a comprehensive understanding of the nuances involved in harm reduction, emphasizing the importance of personal autonomy, client-centered approaches and collaborative decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop skills in assessing various types of risks associated with substance use from a harm reduction lens.
• Understand the importance of individualized risk assessments based on the unique needs and circumstances of clients.
• Discuss strategies for actively involving clients in the identification and mitigation of risks.

Fees: FREE for NASW members and non-members

Please note: This webinar’s Zoom Meeting link and course evaluation form details will be shared a day before the webinar.

Register for part 1 here: https://www.naswma.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1809037&group=

Register for part 2 here: https://www.naswma.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1809044&group=

Speakers:

Tanagra M. Melgarejo, MSW was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is the proud daughter of Mexican  and Cuban immigrants. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of organizational and  program development, evaluation, technical assistance, community organizing, and direct service  with underserved/over-surveilled/stigmatized folks, particularly within Latinx communities. She  currently works as the National Learning and Engagement Strategist for the National Harm Reduction Coalition. Her commitment and passion for harm reduction started out in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the  1990’s while she worked as Popular Education Director for a local HIV prevention program. Before  moving to Oakland, she was working in Puerto Rico with women who are survivors of gender  based violence, focusing her work and activism around economic/human rights of women. She holds an MSW from the University of Puerto Rico and was a lecturer for social work students at  the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus and the University of Turabo.  Finally, Tanagra identifies as an intersectional feminist who believes in decolonization as the way towards liberation. 

Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS is a licensed clinical social worker and addictions specialist who has been practicing for over 30 years.  Joe was a co-founder of Outlook Associates of New England, a practice started to assist persons with anger control problems. He is currently in private practice in Arlington, MA offering individual and group therapy as well as training and consultation with a focus on anger management to adults and adolescents.  Joe has given numerous trainings locally as well as nationally and internationally on the treatment of anger management problems as well as workplace conflict, chemical addictions and stress management.  He was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal on the topic of working with people with anger control issues and has made an appearance on the Boston local news show “Chronicle” discussing”the topic of road rage.  He also was involved with the Massachusetts Medical Society on developing a program for disruptive physicians. Joe has been a lecturer at the Boston University Graduate School of Social Work since 2013.