The NYSDOH AIDS Institute is offering an intensive capacity building initiative to assist health care organizations to refine policies and practices related to people who use drugs to improve engagement in services and ensure the provision of quality, non-judgmental and stigma-free care.

Please read through the requirements for participation in this initiative before completing the application.  Applications are available here.

Applications need to be submitted by August 9th, 2024.

Public Health Crisis

It is a public health, economic, and moral imperative that health care organizations be more responsive to people who use drugs. Rates of HIV and hepatitis C are substantially higher among persons who use drugs than among persons who do not. Opioid use and overdoses in the United States are at epidemic proportions. Stigma related to drug use creates significant barriers to vital prevention and health care services for people who use drugs. Stigma can also have an adverse impact on the HIV, HCV, and substance use disorder treatment uptake, treatment adherence and quality of life.

Defining Drug User Health

Drug User Health is a set of services built on the harm reduction philosophy of “meeting people where they are”. These services address the structural and social barriers that may underlie use of drugs and does not rely solely on a “treatment only” approach. This approach engages individuals to seek and return for services from compassionate and competent providers, who take a whole patient-centered approach to medical care of a person who uses drugs.

Requirements for Participation

The DUHCBI is a year-long initiative, involving face to face meetings, conference calls and teamwork.

The following are requirements for participation in this capacity building initiative:

• The agency must identify two (2) representatives to participate in the initiative who are in leadership positions who have: 1) a long-term commitment to the agency, 2) the authority to implement changes in agency practices, and 3) the ability to train/ coach
• The agency must identify a “team” of DUH CBI Champions to support the two representatives.
• Agency representatives must attend and participate in:
  • Two in-person meetings – October ’24 & September ’25. Travel is the responsibility of the agency
  • Monthly coaching (attend monthly webinars related to specific topics)
• Agency must complete and submit two DUH CBI assessments in a timely manner (Staff Assessment and Organizational Assessment).
• Agency must commit to making improvement in policies and practices based on the results of the Organizations
• Agency must sign-on to provide stigma free care to people who use