To be trauma informed we need to ask, “What happened to you?” and not “What’s wrong with you?” In 2018 with the support of CenterLink – Johnson Family Foundation Mental Health Initiative funding Rainbow Resource Center engaged in a capacity building project to increase our harm reduction capacity, be better trauma informed, and more client centered. We worked with consultants to review our current policies and procedures and to train the entire staff team on drug use, supporting people who use drugs, understanding trauma, and how we are impacted by vicarious trauma. Through the training we had a hard look at how we welcome and support people who use drugs or who present at our centre under the influence of drugs. This webinar will allow participant to understand the assessment and training process we undertook, the processes we are using to maintain to sustain the capacity built, and resources you can use in training staff and volunteers.

Tobacco use still remains at an alarming high rate within LGBTQ communities. This session will discuss the current dynamic of harm vs. harm reduction related to electronic cigarettes use in LGBTQ communities and the role of tobacco cessation quitlines. A personal experience with e-cigs will be highlighted.