We’re Listening: An Update on Strategic Planning Survey Results

In August, our Board of Directors began strategically planning the future of SRHN. This process was initiated with a survey sent to our constituents. Thank you to all who provided their honest and insightful feedback. We learned a lot about what we are doing well, and areas for growth. We want you to know we heard you and that SRHN has made some promising amendments:

• Over half of you said you did not feel our mission statement aligned perfectly with our operations and programs. At the beginning of 2021, the Board and Staff reviewed and updated our Mission, Vision and Goals. We recognize that the opioid crisis has evolved over the past decade, and hope these core principles reflect how SRHN continues to respond and adapt accordingly. We hope these core principles more accurately reflect SRHN programming and the current landscape of the opioid crisis.
• Feedback showed many of you felt we lacked involvement in rural areas and communities of color. We have been working to learn more about the specific barriers these communities face in combating opioid overdoses and where we can help:
  • SRHN has begun collaborating with Harm Reduction Sisters Services Northeastern MN on learning more about the unmet naloxone needs on the Fond Du Lac reservation and the overwhelming need for clean syringes and harm reduction services in Duluth and surrounding areas.
  • Through a 2019 grant we have launched a microsite on our website that highlights the importance of culturally specific programming and brings awareness to overdose disparities in black communities in MN. Our incredible Advisory Council has guided these efforts, which include informational webinars. Learn more at our Healing Together campaign page.
  • Pursued cultural competency training and education opportunities on both staff and board levels.
  • Initiated working to overcome culturally-based stigma and language barriers, and meet the demand for different administration options of naloxone. SRHN is working to prioritize culturally-specific demand with our limited Narcan nasal distribution and are prioritizing these groups with our more limited quantities of other naloxone administration types to remain responsive to these needs.
  • We have written a grant proposal that would fund an expansion of our education platform to include topics such as: medically assisted treatment, stigma, cultural resources, non-narcotic approaches to chronic pain and harm reduction services. The plan would be to bring these resources to the most rural districts in Minnesota and work with each of their local resources to share this education in their areas.
• Another concern was staff turnover and resulting disruptions to lines of communication with our organization. 2020 was a tough year for everyone, but we are incredibly fortunate that we were able to maintain all current staff. Each one has worked hard to pivot during the COVID pandemic, and we have continued our efforts at full capacity while expanding the accessibility of our staff and services through virtual tools. We are as dedicated as ever to saving lives, growing education platforms and communicating.

This is only the beginning, and we know we have a lot more to undertake and many journeys ahead. We are honored to have each one of you, whom without, none of it would be possible. Stay tuned.

With gratitude,

Alicia House, Executive Director
ahouse@rummlerHOPE.org