{"id":18416,"date":"2025-08-29T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialmodelrecovery.org\/staging\/8105\/?p=18416"},"modified":"2025-08-28T23:40:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T06:40:52","slug":"smrs-highlights-community-led-approaches-at-substance-use-disorder-integrated-care-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialmodelrecovery.org\/staging\/8105\/2025\/08\/smrs-highlights-community-led-approaches-at-substance-use-disorder-integrated-care-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"SMRS Highlights Community-Led Approaches at Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On August 19, 2025, Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) joined leaders and service providers at the Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference, presenting on Community-Led Strategies for Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction.<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Representing SMRS were:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Vanessa Ramos<\/strong>, Program Director, Royal Palms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Charles Porter<\/strong>, Senior Director, Prevention Services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sofia Piedrahita<\/strong>, Community Care Coordinator<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Michael Rimson<\/strong>, Program Manager, Support Services, Skid Row Care Campus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    They shared how harm reduction, prevention, and outreach<\/em> can save lives and transform communities when guided by compassion and community voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The session began with an interactive activity led by Sofia Piedrahita<\/strong>, who passed out harm reduction kits and asked the audience to define harm reduction in their own words. The simple exercise sparked a conversation about what these tools represent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cIt\u2019s important that we\u2019re accessing these communities and ensuring they have access to lifesaving medication and treatment.\u201d \u2014 Sofia Piedrahita<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Participants echoed that harm reduction means \u201clifesaving care,\u201d \u201cmeeting people where they\u2019re at,\u201d <\/em>and \u201can open door to treatment when they\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Royal Palms: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Outreach<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Vanessa Ramos<\/strong> spoke about Royal Palms, SMRS\u2019 residential program serving LGBTQ+ individuals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cRoyal Palms was once an all-men\u2019s program, but in 2017, we shifted our focus to LGBTQ+ care.<\/strong> Through the HEAR US grant,<\/strong> we were able to do street-based outreach, provide EMDR therapy, and distribute over 1,100 harm reduction kits across Los Angeles\u2014including MacArthur Park, Long Beach, Silver Lake, and Pomona.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    She emphasized that the kits went beyond the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cWe listened to what people told us they needed\u2014snacks, water, socks\u2014and we added them. That\u2019s harm reduction too.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Sofia shared data gathered from outreach:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • 1,147 individuals served<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 46 organizations connected to LGBTQ+ networks of care<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 531 people reported experiencing overdoses, many within the past six months<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Methamphetamine and fentanyl use were most common, often combined<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n

      \u201cThese numbers are sobering,\u201d <\/em>she noted. \u201cThey reflect not just MacArthur Park, but a national trend. It shows why access to treatment, harm reduction tools, and community-based care is urgent.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Prevention as Community Empowerment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Charles Porter highlighted SMRS\u2019 long-standing prevention work in Skid Row:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      \u201cPrevention isn\u2019t just telling kids not to use drugs. It\u2019s about creating healthier neighborhoods. Connection is the opposite of addiction, and prevention starts with listening to the community itself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      He described advocacy efforts that led to expanded park programming, LAUSD\u2019s homeless education office, and even policy changes <\/strong>restricting alcohol outlet density in parts of downtown Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      \u201cWhen we listen, communities tell us what the problems are\u2014and they already know the solutions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Skid Row Care Campus: Building Trust, Saving Lives<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Closing the panel, Michael Rimson<\/strong> shared impact data from SMRS\u2019 role at the Skid Row Care Campus and Refresh Spot<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • 30,000 clean restroom uses in four months<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 27,000 showers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 17,000 loads of laundry<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • 3,000 service engagements and 800 housing referrals since May 2025 <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n

        \u201cAt the Care Campus, our goal is never to say \u2018no.\u2019 People in Skid Row are used to rejection. We greet them, listen, and find a way to connect them to what they need. These are people too, neighbors, family members, members of our community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        Michael added that most of his staff are either long-time residents <\/strong>or have decades of experience in downtown Los Angeles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n

        \u201cThat lived experience matters. It builds trust, and trust saves lives.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        \n
        \n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        The SMRS panelists<\/strong> emphasized that prevention, harm reduction, and treatment cannot work in silos. Community leadership, culturally responsive care, and consistent outreach are essential to saving lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As SMRS continues to expand its work, the message remains clear: We Listen. We Understand. We Take Action.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        On August 19, 2025, Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) joined leaders and service providers at the Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference, presenting on Community-Led Strategies for Substance Use Prevention 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