RIZE Massachusetts Foundation (RIZE), a nonprofit foundation solely dedicated to funding and collaborating on solutions to end the opioid overdose crisis in Massachusetts, announced that it is awarding nearly $440,000 in grants to develop a pipeline of social workers trained in harm reduction approaches to this crisis. Simmons’ School of Social Work is among the grant recipients. Funding will help support Master of Social Work students in the Harm Reduction Training (HaRT) Scholars program.
“Our partnership with RIZE has stoked curiosity, conversations, and commitment to advancing best practices in the area of substance use throughout the entire Simmons learning community of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community organizations with which we partner,” said Jeffrey Steen, Assistant Professor of Social Work. “The HaRT Scholars program offers a different level of support, providing financial incentives, and opportunities for mentoring that profoundly shape students’ career trajectories.”