Center of Expertise for Drug User Health

Drug User Health Training Center of Expertise (COE)

The Center of Expertise at ACR Health provides a range of free training services related to improving the health of people who use drugs, overdose prevention, and capacity building across New York State. All of our services are grounded in harm reduction, striving to uphold dignity and reduce stigma for people who use drugs.

DUH Training COE

Training Calendar & Registration

All of our trainings are free, however, registration is required. To register for any training, you must have an account on hivtrainingny.org. Once you have logged into your account, you can click on the respective training title below to access more details and proceed with the registration. If you encounter any issues with your account or password, please contact the NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute in Albany at (518) 474-3045 for assistance.

Training and Technical Assistance

We provide free training and technical services to all agencies across NYS. If you are interested in receiving assistance please complete and submit the training request form below. Once the Center of Expertise Staff has reviewed your request, you will be contacted with further details or questions. Please allow 3-5 business days for review.

The Power of Voice: Leadership Training Institute

This six-week hybrid series will train individuals to develop skills in community t, leadership, public speaking and storytelling, and advocacy. This series will also offer insight on how to influence the development and provision of services, provide input into program design, and educate on policies impacting the lives of People Who Use Drugs in New York State.

Please consider applying for the Power of Voice: Leadership Capacity Building Institute for People Who Use Drugs.

Participants will be paid $25/hr and hotel & travel to and from Syracuse will be provided.

Capacity Building Initiatie

What is the Drug User Health Capacity Building Initiative?

ACR Health’s Center of Expertise in collaboration with NYSDOH AIDS Institute is offering an intensive one year long 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.

How can You Join this Capacity Building Initiative?

You must apply to be apart of the capacity building initiative. Applications are available here. Please read through the requirements for participation in this initiative before completing the application. Applications need to be submitted by August 2nd, 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:

Must be an Article 28 facility.
Must identify two 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 staff.
Must identify a “team” of 3-5 staff members to support the two representatives.
Agency representatives must attend and participate in two in-person meetings, scheduled for October 2024 and September 2025, as well as monthly 90-minute coaching webinars.
Must complete and submit DUH CBI organizational and staff assessments within the first month of acceptance into this year-long initiative. These assessments will accompany the acceptance email, which will be sent out by 8/30/2024.
Must commit to making improvements in policies and practices based on the results of the organizational and staff assessments.
Must sign-on to provide stigma free care to people who use drugs.

If you have any additional questions please contact Jaclyn Oshins at coe@acrhealth.org.

Resources

We’re here to help you find, understand, and keep the health insurance coverage that’s right for you—confidentially and at no cost.

DUH Training COE

We provide youth with affirming spaces, education, housing, and advocacy to help them thrive, stay healthy, and reach their full potential.