9th - Harm Reduction Coalition

9th
National Harm Reduction Conference
FROM PUBLIC HEALTH TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
Devine, Elizabeth, Veterans Administration, Tacoma, WA
elizabeth.devine2@va.gov
Harm Reduction in VA Supportive Housing
Transition to the Housing Fist Model in the Puget Sound Veterans Administration Supportive Housing Program (“VASH”) has
involved cooperation and support from local public housing agencies, landlords, government partners, and non-government
community partners, as well as rethinking what constitutes “readiness” for housing. We now serve Veterans who still struggle
with substance use disorders, many of whom have mental health and medical issues as well. Our presentation focuses
on Harm Reduction as a crucial part of our work with these Veterans
Elizabeth R. Devine, LICSW, CDP is the Clinical Supervisor for the VA Supported Housing Program (VASH) at the American Lake
VA. She received her MSW from the University of Washington in 2004. She has also earned a Certificate in Psychological Trauma;
is a Chemical Dependency Professional; and has additional training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Elizabeth’s Social Work
practice has also included work with chronically mentally ill populations and managing housing for late-stage alcoholics.
Dhokia, Poonum, Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle, WA
poonum@hepeducation.org
The Hepatitis C Case Management Program: Recommendations for Accessing Hepatitis Medical Care
This year, the Hepatitis Education Project launched a hepatitis C medical case management program in Seattle, Washington.
This program extends support to hepatitis C patients by linking them to appropriate medical care and social services. Since
hepatitis C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, injection drug users comprise a significant part of the population.
Studies have determined case management interventions a beneficial tool in linking recently diagnosed patients to medical
care. Case management programs are inexpensive, highly utilized, and produce effective results. Patients enrolled in a case
management program are more likely to receive early treatment; this is significant because hepatitis C has successful treatment
options. This presentation illustrates barriers to accessing hepatitis medical care, outlines various components of a
case management program that was developed to overcome these challenges, and suggests preliminary recommendations
of such a program for the harm reduction community.
As a California native, Poonum earned her MPH from the University of Southern California and spent one year as a Fulbright
scholar in India. She is an experienced project manager and researcher, with a passion for innovative approaches to health education.
At the Hepatitis Education Project, Poonum is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining the Hepatitis C
Medical Case Management program.
Di Meo, Rebecca, Streetwork Project, Milwaukee, WI
rebecca.dimeo@safehorizon.org
The Gray Areas of Rape: A Harm Reduction Approach.
Through my work as the Harm Reduction Coordinator at the Streetwork Project, a youth program of Safe Horizon, I work
with runaway and homeless youth focusing in the areas of sexual health, trauma, and drug use through counseling and
group facilitation. In my work with youth I have found that discussing consent is critical to understanding sexual health,
but because of the ways that sexual trauma is stigmatized in our society, it is often difficult to address the topic at all. By
taking a Harm Reduction approach to the issue I often bear witness to youth who have experienced sexual assault, as they
take steps in working through their trauma and preventing further harm. I have found that the subject of rape and sexual
assault can be accessed most effectively by beginning with a discussion about sexual consent and asking questions that do
not assume someone’s individual experience with the issue. By approaching the topic of sexual consent without judgment,
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