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Trauma Informed Harm Reduction Certificate

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The Harm Reduction Certificate Program is a comprehensive, live-online training series designed for healthcare professionals, social service providers, and harm reduction advocates. Through eight interactive courses and a culminating capstone project, participants gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver trauma-informed, culturally safe, and evidence-based harm reduction care in diverse clinical and community settings.

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Participants will explore foundational principles of harm reduction, understand substance use and clinical implications, develop expertise in clinical interventions and overdose response, and learn to implement practical harm reduction strategies in their workplaces. Additional modules cover navigating complex care transitions, addressing policy and systemic barriers, fostering inclusive practice for diverse gender identities, and applying motivational interviewing techniques to engage clients effectively.

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This program emphasizes interactive learning through case studies, scenario-based exercises, small group discussions, and reflective practice, culminating in a Capstone Project tailored to the participant’s professional setting. Graduates leave equipped to advocate for meaningful change, enhance patient outcomes, and strengthen harm reduction initiatives within their organizations and communities.

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Why this program?

  • Career advancement in healthcare, social services, or advocacy roles.

  • Mentorship and peer learning built into the program design.

  • Direct workplace impact through a personalized Capstone Project.

  • Networking opportunities with professionals across sectors.

  • Confidence to lead change in harm reduction within your organization.

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Program Dates

Winter/Spring Session Dates:
(All modules are required)




 

Online live instruction a Capstone Project 

See the program schedule here

Fee:

1900.00

PlusHST

Early Bird until February 28th:  
 

 $1800.00

Plus HST

The fee includes the cost of all listed courses and the evaluation

Questions?

Contact us info@chenetwork.ca and

see CHEN-RCES policies

 CHEN-RCES policies

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Module 1: Foundations of Harm Reduction

  • Principles and philosophy of harm reduction

  • Theoretical models of substance use disorders

  • Trauma-informed and culturally safe care as a foundational lens

  • Examples of harm reduction in practice

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Module 2: Substance Use and Clinical Implications

  • Effects of substances and the toxic drug supply

  • Medical complications (stimulants, opioids, infectious diseases)

  • Implications for wound formation and healing

  • Interactive case discussions

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Module 3: Clinical Interventions and Management

  • Physiology of tolerance, withdrawal, and overdose

  • Conventional interventions: Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), stimulant use disorder treatments

  • Urine drug screening: ethics and clinical use

  • Pain management and overdose response

  • Scenario-based interactive training

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Module 4: Harm Reduction in Practice

  • Managing care transitions in hospitals, primary care, and incarceration settings

  • Impact of abstinence-only policies on clients and providers

  • Community interventions: Safer Opioid Supply (SOS), iOAT, grassroots initiatives

  • Facilitating systemic, organizational, and individual change

  • Development of actionable harm reduction planning for participant settings

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Module 5: Challenging People

  • Strategies for managing difficult conversations and conflict in clinical settings

  • Techniques for advocacy and boundary setting

  • Role-play and scenario-based exercises

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Module 6: Motivational Interviewing

  • Principles and techniques for engaging patients in behaviour change

  • Applying Motivational Interviewing in harm reduction contexts

  • Practice sessions, peer feedback, and skill-building exercises

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Module 7: Culture and Diversity in a Binary World

  • Gender diversity, non-binary and LGBTQ2+ considerations in care

  • Intersectionality, privilege, and systemic barriers

  • Trauma-informed and culturally safe frameworks for inclusive practice

  • Glossary of terminology and practical strategies for care

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Module 8: Capstone – Integration & Applied Harm Reduction Project

  • Participants design a project relevant to their own clinical, organizational, or community setting

  • Options: quality improvement initiative, policy review, program proposal, educational campaign, or applied research project

  • Includes mentor/facilitator feedback and peer review

  • Culminates in presentations and program wrap-up

INSTRUCTORS

Download CHEN Fall/Winter
Program Brochure

PROGRAM AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Open to healthcare professionals, social service providers, peer workers, and harm reduction advocates. No prior harm reduction or trauma-informed training required — the program is designed to be accessible for both new and experienced practitioners. Clinical or community experience is considered an asset but not mandatory. Access to a reliable internet connection, webcam, and audio for participation in live online sessions. Commitment to complete pre-readings, interactive activities, and a Capstone Project.

VIEW PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Program Schedule

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

On successful completion of all learning components, classes, and assessments, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion Confirmation of learning can be provided. Contact us at info@chenetwork.ca

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