Embedded Files
Preventing overdose and other drug and alcohol-related harms in NYC shelters
Overdose is the leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness in NYC.
The NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Harm Reduction in Shelters initiative builds capacity of NYC DHS-affiliated staff to carry out evidence-based harm reduction interventions to reduce overdose in shelter. Learn about our approach
Harm Reduction Toolkit
Training
Training
Overdose Responder Training:
Training on overdose response and how and when to administer naloxone in NYC shelters.
Learn more and register
Harm Reduction Training:
Training on harm reduction for people experiencing homelessness.
Learn more and register
Harm Reduction E-Learning:
Self-paced online training on how to use a harm reduction approach in shelters.
Learn more and register
CEI Drug User Health Training Portal:
Clinical trainings and resources on drug user health from the Clinical Education Initiative
View website
Understanding Trauma & Building Positive Environments in Shelter Training:
For Families with Children frontline staff to learn more about childhood trauma and how to build positive environments in shelter
Learn more and register
Client Education Resources
Client Education Resources
"Learning About High-Risk Alcohol Use" Handout: Handout with information on staying safe if you use alcohol.
View or download
Overdose Prevention Tips: Safety planning tips for drug use from the National Harm Reduction Coalition
"Learning About K2" Handout: Handout with information on staying safe while using K2.
View in English, Spanish, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Urdu, Yiddish.
Hepatitis C Counseling and Treatment Guidance: Guidance for medical providers working with people experiencing homelessness
Shelter Overdose Prevention Champion/Trainer Guidance and Tools:
Shelter Overdose Prevention Champion/Trainer Guidance and Tools:
OOPP Roles & Responsibilities:
Flow chart describing roles and responsibilities of Overdose Prevention Champions and Responders
View and download
Overdose Responder Training Slides:
Training slides for Overdose Prevention Champions to use to train staff and clients
View and download
Naloxone Training and Distribution Reporting Guidelines:
Instructions for reporting naloxone training and kit distribution to shelter staff and clients
View and download
Naloxone Training and Distribution Reporting Form
for DHS and HRA Overdose Prevention Champion and Trainers
View form
Naloxone training and distribution for clients should be documented in the Service Plan in CARES
Naloxone Order Form: Online form for ordering free naloxone kits for DHS and HRA shelters
Suspected Overdose Incident Report Guidelines: Guidelines for shelter staff on reporting overdose events in DHS incident reports
Overdose Response and Naloxone Distribution Train-the-Trainer:
Training for shelter staff who are Overdose Prevention Champion Trainers.
Learn more and register
General Guidance and Tools for Shelters
General Guidance and Tools for Shelters
Harm Reduction Services in Shelter Documentation Template
for direct service staff
View or download
Harm Reduction Services Billing Guide for Licensed Substance Use Programs: Billing guide to support community pre-admission harm reduction services delivery in shelter
Mental Health Toolkit: Listing of mental health resources for shelters, safe havens and street outreach programs
Client Referral Resources
Client Referral Resources
H+H Safetynet Clinic:
Referral list of H+H safety net clinics for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness
988: 24/7 free counseling and referrals to mental health, mental health, substance use and crisis care.
H+H Express Care: Medical and behavioral health urgent care and medications. Online or by phone. 24/7, no out-of-pocket cost for DHS clients.
Call (845) 397-2273 or visit www.expresscare.nyc/dhs
NYC Health Map:
Find health services including substance use and harm reduction programs in NYC
NYC Syringe Services Programs Pocket Card: Listing of syringe services programs (SSP) in NYC and drug use safety tips. Created by the NYC Health Department.
Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, French, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Urdu, Yiddish.
Drug Checking in NYC: Listing of places that check drugs for fentanyl and other contaminants. Created by the NYC Health Department. In English and Spanish.
Peer and Vocational Program Referrals: Peer certification and training programs for people with lived experience using alcohol or drugs
PORTpractices clinics: Specialized health care clinic for people who have been in jail or prison at Bellevue and Kings County Hospitals.
Refer: (646) 614 -1000 or CHSPORTLINE@nychhc.org
PORTline helpline: Helpline for people who have been in jail or prison providing support accessing medical care, social services, benefits and housing. Contact: (646) 614 -1000 or CHSPORTLINE@nychhc.org
Awareness Resources
Awareness Resources
Harm Reduction in NYC Shelters Strategic Plan: Harm Reduction in NYC Shelters: 2023-2024 Strategic Plan
Overdose Awareness Day Toolkit: List of ideas for Overdose Awareness Day educational activities to do in shelter
Harm Reduction in Shelters LinkedIn Page: Follow the LinkedIn page for news, upcoming trainings and new resources
Harm Reduction Resources from Other Organizations
Harm Reduction Resources from Other Organizations
Factsheets
Factsheets
Burprenorphine
Buprenorphine Flyer (NYC Health)
Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder: Information for Patients and Families (NYC Health)
Cocaine
Tips for Safer Use of Cocaine and Crack (NYC Health)
Safer Crack Smoking (Next Distro)
Safer Crack Smoking (Opioid SOR Missouri)
Safer Ways to Use Cocaine and Crack (Saskatchewan Canada)
Fentanyl
What Is Fentanyl? (NYC Health)
Let’s Talk Fentanyl Posters (English) (NYC Health)
Let’s Talk Fentanyl Posters (Spanish)
The Facts about Fentanyl (CDC)
Fentanyl Test Strip
Fentanyl Test Strip Quick Reference Guide (English) (DanceSafe)
DanceSafe – How To Test Your Drugs for Fentanyl (English)
DanceSafe – Fentanyl Test Strip Testing Guide (Spanish)
Fentanyl Use & OD Prevention Tips (NHRC The Dope Project)
How to Test Your Drugs Using Fentanyl Test Strips (NYC Health)
Harm Reduction
NYC Health – Safety Plan to Reduce Overdose Risk (English) (NYC Health)
Safety Plan to Reduce Overdose Risk (Spanish) (NYC Health)
Safer Syringe Reuse Practices (NYC Health)
Getting Off Right - A Safety Manual for Injection Drug Users (NHRC)
Respect to Connect - Undoing Stigma (NHRC)
Safer Meth Smoking (NextDistro)
Survival Strategies While Using Drugs Alone from People Who Use Drugs (Vital Strategies)
Project Safe - Using Drugs Alone (Vital Strategies)
Harm Reduction & Place - The Social & Physical Environment (NHRC)
Homelessness & Harm Reduction (NHRC)
Overdose Prevention Tips (NHRC)
Principles of Harm Reduction (NHRC)
Promoting Wellness – A Guide to Community Action (SAMHSA)
Hepatitis C
Datos Acerca de la Hepatitis C (Spanish) (NHRC)
K2
Naloxone
Reversing an Overdose with Naloxone (English) (CDC)
Reversing an Overdose with Naloxone (Spanish) (CDC)
Naloxone Overdose Response (NYC Health)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | বাংলা | Italiano | Polski | العربية | Français | ײִדיש | اردو
Xylazine
Xylazine: Responding to Overdose and Wound Care (NextDistro)
Xylazine in the Drug Supply (NHRC)
Xylazine Basics: Overdose Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Wound Care ( SAMHSA & HHRC)
Resource Libraries
Resource Libraries
Safer Injection / Use Resources (NEXT Distro)
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