LEXINGTON, Ky. – During National Foster Care Month this May, the Foster Parent Training Program (FPTP) at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) hosted a Harm Reduction training, in collaboration with the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition.
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the risks and negative consequences associated with substance use and improve quality of life by promoting health and safety. The training was held at the CoSW Centers & Lab’s Coldstream Research Campus and covered topics such as:
- How Substance Use Disorders (SUD) affect our community
- Fentanyl, xylazine, and test strips
- Recognizing an overdose
- Prevention of an overdose
- Good Samaritan Law
- Talking to your youth about drugs
“I think one of the most important takeaways was learning what an overdose actually looks like and recognizing the behavioral changes that might indicate someone is using these types of substances,” Melanie Parsons, program coordinator for the FPTP, said. “It was also valuable to learn how to have open, informed conversations with youth about drugs, and how to use testing materials to check vape pens and other items that adolescents might use to conceal substance use.”
Participants received a Naloxone Rescue Kit and were given more information on the different trainings offered by the FPTP. Foster parents also received elective training credit for Kentucky Foster Parents. Basic & Advanced Foster Parents, Fictive Kin Foster Parents, Care Plus, or Therapeutic Foster Parents.
For more information on the FPTP and to register for upcoming trainings, please visit the Foster Parent Training Program website.
