NYC Harm Reduction in Shelters

March 2026 Newsletter

Featured Content | Trainings | Jobs | Health Services

Virtual Support Group for Pregnant or Parenting People With History of Substance Use

Starting March 4! Join the Mount Sinai Bridge Program virtual support group through Zoom for people who are pregnant, postpartum, parenting, or thinking of starting families and have a history of substance use. This group is FREE, and held for one hour on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 12pm-1pm.

March 4 (12 - 1 PM). Join support group

March 18 (12 - 1 PM). Join support group

Harm Reduction Skills Share for Shelters

Harm reduction skills share sessions offer in-depth exploration of topics like risk reduction counseling, safety planning, and effective treatment referrals. Open to shelter staff who have completed the DHS Harm Reduction Training. Facilitated by Sadat Iqbal, DHS Harm Reduction Consultant.

Upcoming Skills Share Sessions:

Withdrawal Management & Safety Planning. March 18 (12 - 1 PM). Register

Safety Planning & Care Pathways with People who Use Drugs, Part 2. March 24 (2 - 3:30 PM). With Emma Roberts from Opioid Response Network (ORN). Register

Research Study: Impact of Harm Reduction Initiatives in NYC Shelters

Participate in a Research Interview about the DHS Harm Reduction Strategic Plan
NYU School of Medicine researchers are studying the impact of harm reduction (substance use risk reduction) initiatives in NYC shelters and safe havens. They would like to conduct confidential interviews to learn about staff thoughts and experiences with harm reduction over the last three years.

If interested, email the research team or call (646) 580-1748. More information can be found in the research flyer.

Trainings for Shelter Staff

Ongoing Trainings:

Understanding Trauma and Building Positive Environments in Families with Children Shelters. March 4 (3 – 4PM). Register

Harm Reduction Training. March 9 (2 – 3 PM). 

• Register for the live training.
• Take the online Harm Reduction training anytime on Absorb. 

NYC Mental Health Housing 101. March 10 (9:30 AM – 12PM). Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). Gain a comprehensive understanding of the NYC OMH mental health housing spectrum and how to navigate the HRA 2010e application and referral process. Register

• Learn about the CUCS Housing Resource Center

Overdose Response and Naloxone Training. March 11 & 25 (2 – 3 PM). Register

Therapeutic Communication Skills. March 11 (10 AM - 3 PM). Center for Urban Community Services. Learn more and register

Psychological First Aid. March 16 (12 PM - 3 PM). Psychological First Aid skills can help reduce distress in clients facing stressful and potentially traumatic events. Academy for Community Behavioral Health. Learn more and register

First Person Perspectives: From Incarceration to Recovery. March 19 (1:30 - 3:30 PM). Center for Urban Community Services. Learn more and register

Talk Saves Lives: Intro to Suicide Prevention for DHS Staff. March 26 & April 30 (12 – 1 PM). American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Learn common risk factors for suicide, how to spot warning signs and engage in critical conversations and connect to resources. Register

Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPOA) Training for DHS Shelters. May 19 & Oct 6 (10 – 11:30 AM). NYC Health Department. How to apply for services such as Shelter Partnered Assertive Community Treatment (SPACT), Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) and non-Medicaid Care Coordination. Training is now required for all DHS shelter social service directors and staff submitting SPOA referrals. Register

Training for Shelter Overdose Prevention Champion Trainer:

Overdose Response and Naloxone Distribution Train the Trainer. March 11 & April 15 (10 AM – Noon). Required for Shelter Overdose Prevention Champions. Register

• See the flowchart of roles and responsibilities for Overdose Prevention Champions and Responders

NYS Clinical Education Initiative

CME Accredited Trainings

Stimulant Use Disorder: Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Primary Care Provider. March 19 (4 - 5 PM). Prescribing psychostimulants for stimulant use disorders. More info and register

CEI Hepatitis C and Drug User Health: Three-Part Educational Series on Patient-Centered Care

• Antiracism and Harm Reduction. April 10 (12 - 1 PM). Register

• Trauma Informed Care for People Who Use Drugs. April 17 (12 - 1 PM). Register
• Integrating Harm Reduction into Every Clinical Encounter. May 1 (12 - 1 PM). Register

Sign up for the NYS Clinical Education Initiative training newsletter. 

Jobs & Opportunities

Open Jobs

• Harm Reduction Specialist @ DHS
• Bronx Hub Project Manager @ DHS
• Complex Care Coordinator @ DHS
• Family Care Community Coordinator @ DHS
• Child Mental Health Care Coordinator – City Research Scientist I @ DHS
• CASAC Counselor (Bronx, Queens) @ Acacia Network
• CASAC (Brooklyn) @ Acacia Network
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn) @ Acacia Network
• Harm Reduction - Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) @ Project Renewal Shelters
• Peer Navigator/Front Desk @ VIP Shelters
• Harm Reduction Specialist @ SUS Shelters

Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness

H+H Express Care

(845) 397-2273

www.expresscare.nyc/dhs

Medical and behavioral health urgent care and medications. Online or by phone. 24/7, no out-of-pocket cost for DHS clients. 

H+H Safety Net Clinics

Primary and specialty care for people experiencing homelessness. Clinics located at Bellevue, Lincoln, Woodhull, and Elmhurst Hospitals. Learn more and refer.

NYC Health Map

Find health services including substance use and harm reduction programs.

988

Call, text of visit on line for counseling and referrals to care.

Connect!

The NYC Harm Reduction in Shelters Strategic Plan (2023-2024) was developed to build capacity of NYC shelters to prevent overdose and improve health and wellness. Each month, we will share tools and resources to support shelter staff to help clients reduce their risk.