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Elise Parker is a second-year (M.S.) occupational therapy student at the University of New England (UNE) and a former graduate assistant for UNE’s Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education. She received her undergraduate degree (B.S.) in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. In her position at UNE, Elise specialized in harm reduction and identified community-specific needs to reduce stigma and bias and increase safety and access to healthcare for underserved individuals. A strong believer in decreasing barriers to success, Elise has coordinated collaborative and interprofessional wellness projects to support individuals in recovery by providing resources, education, and opportunities of connection. In her free time, Elise enjoys camping and hiking with friends but can also be found reading on one of Maine’s beautiful beaches. For more information or to reach out, please contact Elise at eparker6@une.edu . Thank you!

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Inspiration for the Harm Reduction Project

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Inspiration for the Harm Reduction Project

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Our inspiration for the harm reduction kits was ignited by a program called OPTIONS. We were fortunate to have guidance and insight provided by individuals at OPTIONS and The York County Sheriff’s Office.

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York County to give harm reduction bags to people leaving jail

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The bags containing information about resources, fentanyl test strips and naloxone are designed to help people who have substance use disorder transition back into the community.

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Listening and Learning from the Community 

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Listening and Learning from the Community 

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The recovery community in Maine is a truly incredible niche. We were fortunate to receive insight from individuals with lived experience of substance use disorder (SUD) and incarceration to shape our approach to harm reduction at UNE.
Some of these resources include but are not limited to:

Maine Recovery Advocacy Program (MERAP)

Recover2gether support group

Maine Prisoner Reentry Network (MPRN)

Church of Safe Injection (CoSI)

Maine Association of Recovery Residencies (MARR)

Cumberland County Coalition for Substance Use Prevention (CCCSUP)

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The Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education (CECE) held an introductory event to UNE students by providing a 1 hour and 10 minute presentation/discussion in an effort to:
(1) Increase knowledge of harm reduction techniques
(2) Decrease provider stigma/bias
(3) Explore the power of language and the impact it has provider<-->patient interactions

This was the first event in the harm reduction series. Other topics discussed throughout the semester included:

Cultivating Youth Mattering: Building Community Connectedness

Health, Healthcare, and Aging in Prison

The Hidden Epidemic: Exploring Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

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Assembly of Interprofessional UNE Student Group for Grant Application

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Assembly of Interprofessional UNE Student Group for Grant Application

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Based off of interest from the "Harm Reduction 101" event, 4 students were selected to complete a mini-grant via CECE for resident harm reduction kits and correctional officer wellness bags. This team consisted of both graduate and undergraduate students at UNE:

2 Occupational therapy students,

1 Wellness and occupational studies student

1 Medical biology student.

These students conducted a focus group with both male and female residents at the Cumberland County Jail (CCJ) to understand population- specific materials and resource needs. Items identified by residents were then included in the grant verbiage.

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Proposed Timeline for Project

August 2021 to January 2022: Research and beginning stages of project

February 2022: Mini Grant team formed and team meeting

March 10, 2022: Focus group with CCJ to discuss ideas and needs for wellness bags

March 2022: Various meetings to discuss mini-grant and progress

April 2022: Wrapping up final details of grant

May 2022: Final grant submission

July 2022: Supplies is ordered, shipped and organized

August 2022:  Bags assembled and final preparations for delivery of bags to CCJ

August 2022: Bags are given to CCJ and distribution to individuals begins

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Supporting Health with Harm Reduction: Cumberland County Jail Wellness Bags

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Supporting Health with Harm Reduction: Cumberland County Jail Wellness Bags

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This is our completed mini-grant application. We invite you to read through it and let us know how we can strengthen the verbiage for future grant applications!

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Rough Draft CCJ Mini-Grant Application .docx (1)

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This project was made possible by generous donations from local organizations. We would like to recognize the following for their enthusiasm towards assisting us with this project and for their overall dedication to improving public health:

Maine Needs

Greater Portland METRO

Partners for World Health

Church of Safe Injection (CoSI)

Overdose Prevention Project (City of Portland)

UNE College of Dental Medicine

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Portland Resident Office)

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UNE Students Provided Personalized Cards for Resident Wellness Bags

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UNE Students Provided Personalized Cards for Resident Wellness Bags

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Every student that was involved in this project took the time to write cards for each harm reduction kit. We wrote 200 cards total. This was an opportunity for students to attempt to decrease provider-stigma, learn about the power of language, and open the door for connection.

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Card Verbiage for Resident Wellness Bags

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Card Verbiage for Resident Wellness Bags

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We allowed students to mix and match their desired verbiage for each card. Individuals were able to be creative with their messaging if desired but we provided options for students as well to reduce the possibility of unintentionally using harmful language or messaging.

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(Resident) Verbiage for Wellness Kit Cards

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Handwritten "Thank You" Notes to Correctional Officers 

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Handwritten "Thank You" Notes to Correctional Officers 

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Correctional Officers (COs) are an integral part of the criminal justice system and we want to recognize them for their dedication towards their job. They will be the ones handing out our wellness bags at CCJ, therefore it is important that they understand the importance of this project, feel recognized and respected, and know that we see and appreciate their hard work.

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Card Verbiage for Correctional Officer Bags

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Card Verbiage for Correctional Officer Bags

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We allowed students to mix and match their desired verbiage for each card. Individuals were able to be creative with their messaging if desired but we provided options for students as well to reduce the possibility of unintentionally using harmful language or messaging.

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(CO) Verbiage for Wellness Kit Cards (1)

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Prior to assembling the bags, students were provided an orientation at CCJ. The orientation provided students with an opportunity to have a tour of CCJ, ask questions, and get a better understanding of the operational side of jails. Sheriff Joyce joined students and CCJ staff throughout the tour and voiced support of the project and recognition for the individuals at CCJ who are working to make re-entry more successful for residents.

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The following slides are pictures taken from the assembly event and include a detailed list of the content put into each bag. These items were carefully selected based off of feedback received from the CCJ focus group and community members to ensure that the bags met the needs of individuals with lived experiences.

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We intend to make the wellness bags for both residents re-entering from CCJ and the correctional officers a sustainable project. We will to continue to apply for grants (local and national) to receive funding for the items needed for this project. As seasons change, we plan to adapt some of the seasonal items to reflect what residents will need to be successful and safe upon re-entry. Additionally, UNE will continue to encourage student participation in harm reduction related events to further decrease provider stigma and bias.

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Here is a list of harm reduction resources (mostly specific to Maine)- feel free to download it to utilize as a reference to create a resource list for your own area!

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Have questions or comments? You are welcome to email the leader of this project at eparker6@une.edu or comment on the posts!