DC Engage, led by HealthHIV with funding from DC Health HAHSTA, strengthens the capacity of aspiring or established community-based organizations and peer-led coalitions in Washington, DC who serve people who use drugs.

Training and capacity-building integrate culturally and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based, and promising practice models to prevent opioid overdoses, enhance access to prevention and treatment, and reduce deaths associated with opioid use.

The Drug User Health Learning Institute from DC Engage and DC Health offers providers, community leaders, and other specialists free education and training covering key topics from naloxone administration and overdose response to stigma reduction and community outreach.

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Upcoming DC Engage Events

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DC Engage Capacity Building Microgrants Call for Application

DC Engage is seeking DC-based organizations to apply for two microgrants to strengthen coordinated care for people experiencing substance use and related health needs. One microgrant will support an obstetric (OB) clinic serving pregnant patients with substance use diagnoses. The second will support a behavioral health organization working at the intersection of SUD, mental health, and criminal justice involvement to build stronger connections to DC Health and to community-based overdose prevention services.

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Stay up to date on the drug user health landscape in Washington, DC with this podcast series from DC Engage.

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Two Lives: Ethical and Compassionate Care in Pregnancy and Substance Use

Join our faculty, Kelly Sue Ramsey, and moderator, Steve Wood, as they explore compassionate, stigma-free treatment and support for pregnant patients who use drugs, centering on drug user health, informed choice, and patient autonomy.

Listen Now: Two Lives: Ethical and Compassionate Care in Pregnancy and Substance Use
Transforming Pleasure and Wellness: Party Culture, Safety, and Drug User Health

In this episode, we explore the intersections of pleasure, community wellness, stigma reduction, and drug user health.

Listen Now: Transforming Pleasure and Wellness: Party Culture, Safety, and Drug User Health

Learning Spotlight

Mental Health and Drug User Health

In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, explore opportunities to strengthen supportive communication and better understand barriers to mental health and substance use treatment.

Featured Accredited Learning

“Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: The Seven Therapeutic Tasks, Skills and Strategies” explores approaches to supporting individualized goals and positive change.

Access the course: https://reduceharmdc.org/training/integrative-harm-reduction-psychotherapy/

Quick Learning: From Conflict to Connection

Explore “From Conflict to Connection: Meeting People Where They Are,” part of the RapidLearn Series. This module examines communication barriers and strategies for building trust when supporting community members.

Explore the RapidLearn Series: https://reduceharmdc.org/training/rapidlearn/

Listen and Learn: Care Delayed

Listen to “Care Delayed: Understanding Barriers to Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment” for a conversation about the challenges people face when seeking care.

Listen to the podcast: https://healthhiv.org/resource/care-delayed-understanding-barriers-to-mental-health-and-substance-use-treatment/

DC Engage Micrograntees

Our current and former DC Engage Micrograntees have made a powerful and lasting impact on drug user health in Washington, DC. We continue to be honored to collaborate with them and recognize their work here. Learn more about these organizations and how they uplift communities across the District.

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Latest Trainings

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What Are We Not Talking About? What Do We Need to Know?: A Conversation with DC Health

This opening plenary will provide attendees with updates from DC Health HAHSTA on emerging priorities, programmatic changes, and the evolving landscape of drug user health in Washington, DC. Topics include enhancements to peer educator initiatives, new approaches to drug user health services, the development of a dedicated street medicine team, and the intersection of substance…

Learn More: What Are We Not Talking About? What Do We Need to Know?: A Conversation with DC Health
From Trusted Presence to Community-Designed Programming: A Faith-Rooted Model for Advancing Drug User Health in Washington, DC

This breakout session explores community-driven approaches to drug user health and response activities that address stigma, expand access to harm reduction and recovery resources, and strengthen connections to care. The presenter will share lessons learned from building a multigenerational, faith-rooted continuum of prevention, education, service navigation, and support in communities impacted by health disparities.

Learn More: From Trusted Presence to Community-Designed Programming: A Faith-Rooted Model for Advancing Drug User Health in Washington, DC