Centering Equity in Opioid Abatement Initiatives: Session 2
Centering Equity in Opioid Abatement Initiatives: A Three-Part Training Series with Dr. Haner Hernandez
Rescheduled for Monday, May 19, 1-2:30pm. Registration link coming soon.
The overdose epidemic has disproportionately affected underserved populations, especially people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) or Hispanic/Latino/x/e. Using an equity lens includes ensuring that those most deeply impacted by the epidemic in your community are actively engaged in decision-making related to the use of abatement funds. It also means carefully assessing how proposed activities and policies will impact these populations to avoid unintended consequences, co-creating solutions to address identified disparities and barriers to care, and ensuring that the opioid abatement strategies selected align with the needs of the community.
This three-part training series will provide practical guidance and tailored support to municipal leaders at varying stages of readiness to advance equity in opioid response efforts. The training series will provide a historical context of racism and other inequities in the substance use system, insights into addressing stigma, shaping equitable policies, and building inclusive community engagement strategies.
Each session stands independently, allowing participants to attend based on their unique needs and readiness.
Key Cross-Cutting Themes Across Sessions:
- Addressing stigma and gaining buy-in from community leaders.
- Engaging and involving those most affected by the opioid epidemic.
- Building stronger networks of organizations and community leaders.
- Identifying concrete steps for small community changes with long-term impact.
- Using evidence-based resources to support equity and inclusion.
- Establishing transparent and accountable communication strategies.
Session 2: Building Capacity and Infrastructure for Centering Equity
Description: This session is designed for municipalities and interest holders who are exploring how to center equity in opioid abatement work. Participants will learn how to build capacity, foster leadership buy-in, and develop community infrastructure to support equitable approaches.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify barriers to equity integration and strategies to overcome them.
- List communication strategies to facilitate leadership and community buy-in, including creating talking points about the impact and importance of operating under an equitable approach.
- Outline practical steps to begin inclusive planning and engagement.
Dr. Haner Hernandez is a nationally known speaker on the topic of health equity. He has worked for 31 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs. He is a person in long-term recovery from addiction and is committed to eliminating health disparities by working at the national, state, and local levels. Currently, he is a Senior Consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with a focus on disparities, building health equity, addiction treatment, recovery supports, and the Recovery Support Centers located throughout the Commonwealth.