Social workers play a key role in the substance use disorder care continuum, yet there is limited curriculum focused on harm reduction in social work continuing education. To begin to address this gap, RIZE has partnered with the National Harm Reduction Coalition and the National Association of Social Workers – Massachusetts Chapter (NASW-MA) to present free, credit-bearing continuing education trainings for social workers. These important, impactful training sessions provide social workers with an introduction to the principles of harm reduction both as a philosophy and a practical approach. Led by two professionals in the field of harm reduction and social work, the series also covers the barriers stigma can present, including the limitations it creates when developing meaningful relationships with clients.

“The Impact of Stigma on Substance Use Treatment” was the first series of this partnership, presented in the Spring of 2022. It featured a free, three-credit, two-part online training for social workers, the first of which was featured during NASW-MA’s 2022 Social Work Symposium.

To receive continuing education credits for watching these recordings, please click here for Session 1 and here for Session 2.

To view without receiving credit, please click below.

“Cultural Humility in the Practice of Harm Reduction” was the second series of this partnership, presented in May 2023. This series was free, 4.5 credits, and presented in three parts. To receive continuing education credits for this series, please click on each session below:

Part 1: The Principles of Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction

Part 2: Unpacking Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction: Giving Space for Mistakes

Part 3: The Lived Experience of Cultural Humility in Harm Reduction from a Client Perspective

The recordings for each session are included below.

“Emerging Issues in Harm Reduction: Family and Community Work” is the third series of this partnership, presented in June 2024. Participants of this free, three-part series are eligible to receive 4.5 continuing education units. To receive continuing education credits for this series, please click on each session below:

Part 1 – Bridging Bonds: Supporting Families and Loved Ones of Individuals Who Use Substances

Part 2 – Nurturing Resilience: Addressing Secondary Trauma in Social Workers Engaged in Harm Reduction

Part 3 – Navigating Risk: Strategies for Social Workers in Harm Reduction

If you would like to view the series without course credit, the recordings for each session are linked below.

“Building Safer Spaces: Harm Reduction in Action” is the fourth series of this partnership, presented in June 2025. Participants of this free, three-part webinar are eligible to receive 5 continuing education units. These sessions will be available as continuing education courses on the NASW Online Continuing Education Institute. Links to these credit-bearing courses will be posted here when they are available. 

If you would like to view the series without course credit, the recordings for each session are linked below.