2025 Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference

July 16-17, 2025: Virtual registration extended

Registration for virtual attendance to the Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference has been extended! Anyone interested in attending virtually may register until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. Registering on Day 1 will still offer full access to all session recordings for three months after the conference. Registration for in-person closed June 20.

The most current agenda is available on this page. Speakers are adding information about their sessions, so check back regularly for updates!

In-person attendees staying at the Chula Vista must book their room by June 20 to secure the room block rate. This rate cannot be guaranteed if reservations are made after June 20.

Wisconsin’s second Harm Reduction Conference will provide a time and space to learn and network. The goal of the conference is to bring together experts in the field of harm reduction along with others interested in learning about and expanding harm reduction services, resources, and policies. This opportunity will provide a chance to build relationships with partners involved in the advancement of harm reduction in the state. For two days, we will come together to address a myriad of complex issues facing the harm reduction movement and drug user health.

Registration

Virtual attendance: $250
Whova

Continuing education hours

Continuing education hours or CEHs will be available for free. There will be up to 9.75 hours of CEHs available; one CEH will be awarded for each educational hour of this event. To receive CEHs, attendees must complete an evaluation. CEHs are available to registrants who attend all creditable sessions live either in person or virtually, the keynote presentation, the plenary session, and the breakout workshops. No CEHs are available for watching session recordings after the event.

Lodging

There is a room block available at the Chula Vista for in-person attendees. The room block closed June 20. After that date we cannot guarantee the room block rate of $98/night. Contact the Chula Vista directly at 855-360-6691 to reserve your room.

Plan your travel and overnight stays accordingly. To reserve a room under the room block, mention the booking ID for the Harm Reduction Conference that came with your registration confirmation. If you have questions about this process, contact citee-events@uwm.edu.

Scholarships

There are currently no scholarship opportunities available. Any future scholarship opportunities will be posted to this webpage.

Agenda

Having trouble viewing the agenda? Scroll to the drop-down menu to view a plain text version.

New keynote speaker added! The Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference planning committee is pleased to announce Tracie Gardner, executive director for the National Black Harm Reduction Network, as the final keynote to the lineup of incredible speakers at this year’s conference. Gardner will join Ricky Bluthenthal and Philomena Kebec as a keynote speaker for the 2025 conference. View their full bios in the Whova app.

8:30 - 9 a.m.: Registration, networking
9 - 10 a.m.: Welcome and announcements, Secretary Kirsten Johnson, Tribal welcome ceremony
10 - 11:15 a.m.: Opening keynote: Ricky Bluthenthal
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.: Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Breakout session 1 (five workshop options)
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Breakout session 2 (five workshop options)
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.: Break
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.: Breakout sessions 3 (five workshop options)
3:45 - 4 p.m.: Break
4 - 5:15 p.m.: Closing keynote Day 1: Philomena Kebec
7-8 p.m.: Recovery meeting

Breakout session topics include:

Understanding and Reducing Harm while Finding Healing for Sex Workers
Post Overdose: Compassionate Response
Wisconsin's Harm Reduction Strategic Plan
Engaging the Public in Conversations about Harm Reduction
Community Outreach: Engaging with Dignity
Harm Reduction through a Social Equity Lens
Data-driven Communities: Demanding Results without Excuse
The Impact of Drug Market Disruptions on People Receiving Harm Reduction Services
A 24/7 Approach to Harm Reduction with the Public Health Vending Machine
Don't Duck the Conversation About Mental Health
How Employment Saves Lives
Facing Legal Repercussions for Doing the Right Thing: Why Wisconsin Needs a Stronger Good Samaritan Law
Harm Reduction Innovations across Wisconsin

Also onsite:

Harm Reduction Response Team
Data Cafe with the Wisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response (WiSOARR) team
Feedback board for the newly established Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Centers
Memory quilt, self-care room, and exhibitors

8 - 9 a.m.: Breakfast and registration
9 - 10:15 a.m.: Closing keynote: Tracie Gardner
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.: Break
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Breakout session 4 (five workshop options)
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.: Break
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Breakout session 5 (five workshop options)
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Breakout session 6 (five workshop options)

Breakout session topics include:

From an Addict to an Expert: How Storytelling and Social Media Can Save Lives
Effective Tools for Safer Use: Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strips, Community Insights, and the Future of Drug Checking
Creating Community Support Networks: Partnering with Local Government, Libraries, and Community Spaces for Effective Harm Reduction
Bridging the Gap: Culturally Responsive Harm Reduction Strategies
Naloxone Access Across Wisconsin: How Local Input Can Shape Distribution
Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: The Next Step in Non-Coercive Care
Creating a County Opioid and Overdose Education and Harm Reduction Program: Successes and Lessons Learned in Eau Claire County
Options, Not Judgments: Harm Reduction in the Sex Trades
Vital Strategies in Wisconsin Work and Sustainability
Incorporating Non-injection Supplies into Harm Reduction
Residential Strategies for Drug-Involved Clients
Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Wisconsin

Also onsite:

Harm Reduction Response Team
Data Cafe with the Wisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response (WiSOARR) team
Feedback board for the newly established Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Centers
Memory quilt, self-care room, and exhibitors

A note about stigmatizing language

The Wisconsin Harm Reduction Conference will be providing a time and space to learn and network, bringing together experts in the field of harm reduction along with others interested in learning about and expanding the harm reduction field, services, resources, and policies. Attendees will include people with lived and living experience. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and conferences organizers promote person-centered language to avoid stigma and reduce negative bias when discussing addiction.

There may be some language used at the conference that could be considered stigmatizing; these terms are commonly used within social communities of people with lived and living experience with substance use. While this language may be offensive to some, conference organizers will not monitor how people refer to themselves or how they identify.

Stigmatizing language used to refer to others outside of yourself to demean, discriminate, or call out any individual in a negative way will not be tolerated.

Additional conference information

If you have questions about the registration process, contact UW-Milwaukee Center for Inclusive Transition, Education and Employment (CITEE) at citee-events@uwm.edu. CITEE is providing planning and logistics support for this event.

All registrants will have access to recordings of sessions on July 16-17 if they were unable to attend. Recordings will be available up to three months after the event.

Single day passes for July 16-17 are not available. Two-day registration is the only option to attend the conference.

Videography and photography

Organizers and any news media may be videotaping or photographing portions of this event. By attending this event, registrants acknowledge these activities and agree to allow their image to be used by the organizers and news media in any way. Registrants may not videotape or broadcast any portion of this event without written permission from organizers.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation requests for this event must be received in writing no later than June 20, 2025. Cancellations received after June 20, 2025, will not be refunded. Participants must cancel in advance of the event. No refunds will be issued once the event has started, regardless of whether the participant joined the event. Send a cancellation request to citee-events@uwm.edu.

Refund policy

Refunds will only be issued to paid registered participants if this event is canceled for any reason. No exceptions. All registered participants have access to session recordings and materials for three months after this event.

Meals

There will be lunch and snacks available for people attending in person on Day 1. A light breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be available on Day 2. There will be water and coffee stations throughout the conference.

Special meal requests

You are able to note any dietary accommodations in your registration. The planning committee will do its best to make arrangements for you and will follow up with you directly if we need any further information. A menu for both days of the event will be made available closer to the event. If you have any questions, contact citee-events@uwm.edu.

Event materials

The WHOVA app will be used to share event materials with all in-person and virtual participants. There will also be exhibitors on site with some materials for in-person attendees. Information on how to access the WHOVA app will be emailed to all registered participants several weeks before the event. The event app will be available May 1.

Conference objectives

Provide safe spaces for the exchange of ideas and cutting-edge practices that reduce harms associated with drug use.
Create networking opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds committed to program and policy change and reform.
Promote the delivery of harm reduction services in Wisconsin and Tribal nations that engage people who use drugs to support connection, safety, and improved quality of life.
Provide the opportunity to discuss the benefits of harm reduction, best practices, resources, policies, and areas needing development and support.

Who should attend

Syringe service programs (SSPs) providers
Local and Tribal health and health and human services department staff, including, directors, nurses, harm reduction staff, health educators, and peer support specialists
Health care professionals, including, substance use disorders counselors, community health care workers, mental health professionals, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physicians
Public health and health care students and fellows
Overdose fatality review (OFR) members
First responders, including, law enforcement, EMS, fire department, mobile response teams
AIDS, HIV, and viral hepatitis care workers
Local government and Tribal elected officials, including, county and judge executives, mayors, presidents, council Tribal members

Join us to connect some of the brightest minds in harm reduction, including those serving and working in the field every day, those with lived and living experiences, and those who are new to harm reduction.

Additional information

As more information becomes available, it will be posted to this webpage.

Wisconsin's first harm reduction conference was held in 2023. Want to learn more about the 2023 conference? Check out the video created to share some highlights from this conference.

Questions can be directed to citee-events@uwm.edu.

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