Harm Reduction and Climate Change

Substance Use, Harm Reduction, and Mental Health Initiatives

Division of Family Health, Family Planning Program• Conducting qualitative data analysis of 37 New York State Family Planning Program’s (NYSFPP) Annual Narrative reports• Developing recommendations for NYSFPP trainings, patient experience, and quality improvement and assurance initiatives• Assuring compliance of NYSFPP performance standards and measures with those of Title X

• Maintained a safe, caring, non-judgmental, and welcoming environment for SEP participants (people who inject drugs) and completed approximately 50 transactions per day in collaboration with two SEP staff members• Provided SEP services to participants upon greeting them including the distribution of sterile syringes, the works, Narcan, fentanyl test strips, wound care, safe sex supplies, sharps containers, food, and beverages; referred participants to on-site healthcare clinic; collected used syringes and disposed of them in alignment with safety protocols; educated participants about safer injection techniques to reduce harm and prevent overdose and infection• Facilitated enrollment of new participants and aided in filing paper transactions and enrollments

New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, Office of Drug User Health, Harm Reduction Unit • Developed a policy and procedure for the 24 NYSDOH-funded syringe exchange programs (SEPs) to utilize in reference to the handling and reporting of incidents with law enforcement and how to build relationships with such entities• Conduced a literature review and produced a literature review summary regarding barriers to prenatal care faced by pregnant people who use drugs, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, to contribute to the completion of the AI research agenda• Gathered and compiled updates on various aspects of programming from the NYSDOH-funded SEPs to inform and track progress toward objectives set forth in the NYS HCV Elimination Plan

• Led an interdisciplinary team of peers to gather and analyze data collected through interviews with Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and surveys sent to those utilizing services; the goal was to improve the overall delivery and quality of services within the Community Habilitation program and enhance matching between DSPs and individuals utilizing services• Served as principal investigator; delegated and facilitated team participation in the development of all project work; such work included presentations, meetings, communication, and submission of applications for two IRB approvals- inclusive of revision and amendment processes and consultations with IRB Chair; produced two deliverables• Published a case study detailing the initiation and maintenance of the Wildwood partnership

Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women• Assisted in running the UN Women: Gender-Based Violence Seminar held in October 2019• Participated in and led Talk Circles on current topics such as advocacy, empowerment, mental health, identity, gender, equity, and privilege to promote social justice, gender equity, and the development of women

• Conducted class visits and made recruitment presentations to college classes• Developed and facilitated three program information sessions to encourage students to join the program and project teams

• Observed and assisted on calls with staff EMTs to evaluate, stabilize, and transport patients while ensuring comfort and safety to and from the stretcher, vehicle, and emergency department; earned CPR certification• Recorded patient information and medical history to aid the EMT in the completion of patient reports• Maintained cleanliness, function, and proper stock of equipment in the rig

• Participated in the creation of IRB application materials, including the informed consent document, for review in the expedited category; completed CITI Human Subjects Research Training• Gathered data through interviewing DSPs; produced two deliverables: a survey for those utilizing services and an action plan• Facilitated time management training and interactive activity for the 2020 program orientation

Biology Department • Assisted with and executed lab duties to determine expression patterns of genes identified by RNA sequencing of wild-type and mutant tail tips to identify genes that function downstream of DMD-3 during male tail tip morphogenesis in C. elegans• Performed DNA and RNA purification, performed plasmid DNA procedures, ran PCR and gel electrophoresis, cared for nematodes, performed microscopy, and provided training and support to less experienced lab team members

• Collaborated with public library staff to plan and implement free public programming to promote literacy development• Coordinated summer youth (pre-K to 12) programs in a diverse, high-poverty community• Organized offerings and advertising to the community through library newsletter and program calendar for each age group; co-facilitated daily summer literacy program including themed events and story hours; set up book displays; communicated with parents/guardians