SOAR Initiative
Onboarding
Harm reduction means a much deeper, inclusive sense/ approach to self-care, which paves the way to holistic solutions for wellness and recovery in general.
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Temperance Tivera
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
”
Agenda
Image credit: NextDistro
Mission Statement
We work to prevent overdoses and save lives through harm reduction. By building innovative technology that promotes connection and providing on-the-ground support throughout Ohio, we strive to empower people who use drugs to build strong, healthy communities.
Organization History
The SOAR Initiative is a young, innovative harm reduction nonprofit. We harness the powers of technology, grassroots harm reduction activists, and people who use drugs themselves to enhance public knowledge of the drug supply and allow people to use safer. The SOAR Initiative was founded in 2019 by a group of students at The Ohio State University. It has quickly expanded and transitioned to be an organization run by the people that it serves. Our organization consists of 2 full-time administrative staff (an Executive Director and a Director of Technology & Program Services), 8 part-time outreach workers, a part-time Director of Community Relations, an active Executive Board, and volunteers who assist with outreach, training, management, and evaluation.
9/11/2023
Jessica Brager
She/her
Executive Director
Kim Adams
She/her
Director of Technology & Program Services
Jessica Mitsch
She/her
Director of Community Relations
Linda Smolak
She/Her
Grants & Contracts specialist
Zee Fishman
They/Them
Social Media Coordinator
Jamie Decker
He/him
Sharona Bishop
She/her
Jessica Collier
She/her
Holly Woodruff
She/Her
Tonja Catron
She/Her
Community Outreach Specialists
Jordan Mays
They/them
Abby Spears
She/Her
Rontae Bass
He/Him
What we do:
A text message alert system that sends warnings about laced drugs, overdose surges, and other important information to subscribers across the state.
Anyone in Ohio can anonymously request a free envelope of test strips via a form on our website. Outreach workers can request larger shipments of items, which include additional stuff like cookers, syringes, bandages, and more.
Deadly Batch Alerts
Strip Club
We utilize people with lived experience across the state of Ohio who are ingrained in their communities to assist getting supplies, education, and resources by meeting them where they are.
Outreach
By now, you’re probably aware that The SOAR Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides harm reduction resources and support throughout Ohio to people who use drugs and their loved ones. To accomplish this goal, we have three major programs:
DBA Regions & Outreach by Region
Harm Reduction 101
Engaging People Who Use Drugs
Foundations of Harm Reduction
Overdose Prevention & Response
Click each image to the right to take each course.
Please complete each course before moving forward.
email is jwarner@thesoarinitiative.org password is SOARTraining2023!
Naloxone HCI
9/11/2023
Naloxone HCI
9/11/2023
Tap to watch video
People Centered Language
A major tenet of harm reduction is the use of people-centered language, which avoids any kind of stigmatization, judgment, shaming, or victim-blaming and places the needs and agency of each individual first. Some examples include:
Sexual Health & Harm Reduction
Sex Positivity
Dismantling shame & Stigma
Prevention
Reducing the likelihood of STIs and the management of existing STIs
Barrier Methods
Types of barriers for STI prevention
Pregnancy Prevention
Plan B
Testing
What to expect
Where to get tested
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Harm Reduction� in Sexual Health & Queer History
Sex positivity within harm reduction recognizes that individuals engage in a wide range of sexual practices, some of which may carry potential risks, such as unprotected sex, substance use, or participation in sex work. By fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding, sex positivity helps create safer spaces where individuals feel comfortable seeking information, support, and resources to reduce harm associated with their sexual activities.
While harm reduction as a concept is not exclusive to queer history, it has played a significant role within the LGBTQ+ community and harm reduction history:
HIV/AIDS Epidemic:
In the 1980s and early 1990s, the LGBTQ+ community was disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. During this crisis, harm reduction strategies were instrumental in raising awareness about safer sex practices, distributing condoms and clean needles, and providing education about reducing the risk of transmission. Organizations like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) incorporated harm reduction principles into their advocacy efforts. This movement brought government assisted prevention programs such as free condoms, and SSPs.
Penetrative Condoms
Pros
Cons
Tips
Penetrative Condoms
Internal Condoms (Female condom/ FC2)
Dental Dam
Dental Dam
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When done reviewing photo, please click above to watch video
Gloves & Finger Cots
PrEP & PEP
Click the image above to view video
Plan B vs. Plan C
We distribute Plan B and it’s important to understand the differences between this emergency contraceptive and the abortion pill.
Testing for STIs
Where?
How?
Resources
Blood Draw | Syphilis, HCV, HIV |
Finger Stick | HIV, HCV |
Swab | Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis, others |
Urine | Chlamydia, Gonorrhea |
Free or low cost options | Public Health Depts, FREE STD Walk-in clinics, Some Planned Parenthoods |
$$$ | Planned Parenthood, Primary Physician, Urgent Care, At home test kits |
Harm reduction is empowering people to find, and sometimes create, the recovery pathway that works best for them. In short, harm reduction is an act of love.
“
Temperance Tivera
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
”
Data Collection & Reporting
Outreach tracking forms & Naloxone
Expectations
Protecting the privacy of yourself, your peers, and your participants
Turning in data tracking forms monthly
Attending team meetings Tuesdays at 5 pm, unless notified in advance
Communication of major schedule changes
Communication of any delays in work
Collaborative mindset with Team, safety to make mistakes
Thank you!
9/11/2023