Health. Dignity. Connection. Community.

Connecting our community to care, resources, and support.

HEPPAC is a Black-led, community-based organization serving Oakland and communities
throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We connect people to health services,
substance use treatment, harm reduction resources, and essential support through accessible,
compassionate, and culturally responsive care.
We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of their circumstances,
substance use, housing status, or ability to access traditional healthcare.
From Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) navigation
to safer-use education, syringe access, HIV and Hepatitis C services, and basic-needs
assistance, HEPPAC meets people where they are and helps them take the next step toward
their goals.
Our approach is simple: meet people where they are, reduce barriers to care, and support people in making informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Have questions or want to get connected? Contact our administrative team HERE or email info@heppac.org.

How HEPPAC Supports Our Community

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Navigation

We help individuals explore treatment options, connect with providers, and navigate access to medications for substance use disorders. Our Substance Use Navigators help participants understand available services, coordinate referrals, and connect with treatment and ongoing support.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Navigation

Navigating treatment and recovery resources can feel overwhelming. HEPPAC helps individuals identify their needs, explore available options, and connect with appropriate services, including treatment providers, behavioral health resources, recovery support, and other community-based services.

There is no single path that works for everyone. We support participants in identifying the resources and goals that work for them.

Harm Reduction and Safer-Use Support

HEPPAC supports people who use drugs (PWUD) by providing harm reduction education, supplies, and connections to health and social services. We recognize that people have different needs, experiences, and goals, and we work to reduce preventable harm while respecting each person’s dignity and autonomy.

Our services may include access to sterile syringes and other harm reduction supplies, safer-consumption education, overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, wound-care referrals, HIV and Hepatitis C prevention, and connections to medical care and substance use treatment.

Our approach is nonjudgmental and practical: we meet people where they are and provide information and resources that support their health and safety.

Basic Needs and Drop-In Support

Everyone deserves access to a welcoming place to connect with resources and address essential needs. HEPPAC’s drop-in services have supported community members with resources such as showers, laundry, food assistance, and a safe, welcoming environment to take a break from the streets.

We also provide general referrals and connections to community services, helping participants access support without unnecessary barriers.

Our Services

Community-Based Care and Support

Drop-In Center and Basic Needs

  • Access to basic-needs resources, including food assistance

  • Shower and laundry services, where available

  • General referrals to community resources

  • A welcoming, nonjudgmental environment

Substance Use Navigation and Treatment Linkage

  • Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) navigation

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) service navigation

  • Referrals to treatment providers and behavioral health services

  • Care coordination and connections to community-based support

  • Assistance navigating available resources and next steps

Community Outreach

  • Street-based outreach and participant engagement

  • Distribution of harm reduction supplies

  • Safer-use and risk-reduction education

  • Overdose prevention education and naloxone resources

  • Connections to health services, treatment, and social supports

  • Collaboration with community partners to expand access to care

Harm Reduction Services

Syringe Access and Exchange
HEPPAC has provided syringe access and exchange services in Oakland and Contra Costa County to support safer practices, reduce the harms associated with injection drug use, and connect participants to additional services.

Services have included:

  • Access to sterile syringes and safer-use supplies

  • Syringe disposal and community education

  • Individual risk-reduction counseling

  • HIV and Hepatitis C education and referrals

  • Wound-care resources and referrals

  • Overdose prevention education

  • Connections to medical care and other support services

Mobile Syringe Access
Mobile services have helped extend access to sterile syringes and harm reduction resources for people who face barriers to reaching fixed service locations.

Community Syringe Disposal
Secure syringe disposal resources and outreach education help promote safer disposal practices and reduce improperly discarded syringes in the community.

Education and Overdose Prevention

Overdose Prevention Education and Naloxone Distribution (OPEND)

HEPPAC provides overdose prevention education and naloxone-related training and resources to support people who use drugs, community members, and organizations serving populations affected by substance use.

Activities have included:

  • Individual overdose prevention education

  • Naloxone education and distribution, where available

  • Train-the-trainer workshops

  • Technical assistance for organizations establishing naloxone distribution services

  • Education on recognizing and responding to a suspected opioid overdose

HIV and Hepatitis C Education and Prevention

HEPPAC provides education intended to help individuals understand HIV and Hepatitis C transmission, prevention, testing, and available treatment resources.

Educational activities have included:

  • Individual risk-reduction counseling

  • HIV and Hepatitis C prevention education

  • Community workshops and group education

  • Safer-sex education and condom distribution

  • Referrals to testing, medical care, and treatment

  • Training and education for community organizations and public health partners

Testing, Linkage to Care, and Health Resources

HIV and Hepatitis C Testing and Referrals

HEPPAC has provided counseling, rapid testing, and referrals for HIV and Hepatitis C through certified testing personnel and community-based services.

Depending on current program availability, participants may be connected to:

  • HIV and Hepatitis C testing

  • Confirmatory testing and additional clinical evaluation, as indicated

  • Medical providers and treatment services

  • Prevention services and additional health resources

  • Insurance enrollment resources and ongoing care

Linkage to Care and Treatment

A test result or referral should be the beginning of a connection to care—not the end of the process. HEPPAC works to connect participants with appropriate providers and community partners for follow-up, treatment, and continued support.

Who We Serve

HEPPAC works with individuals and communities who experience barriers to traditional healthcare and social services, including people who use drugs, people experiencing housing instability, and individuals seeking substance use treatment, health education, or basic-needs support.

Our work prioritizes community connection, accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and participant engagement.

We recognize that every person brings different experiences, priorities, and strengths. Our role is to listen, provide resources, and help individuals identify the support that best meets their needs.

Our Commitment

HEPPAC is committed to reducing barriers to care and building stronger connections between community members, healthcare providers, and social service organizations.

We believe that meaningful support starts with respect, trust, and meeting people where they are. Whether someone is exploring treatment, accessing harm reduction supplies, seeking testing, or addressing immediate basic needs, HEPPAC works to make services and resources more accessible.

Care without judgment. Resources without unnecessary barriers. Support that meets people where they are.

Connect With HEPPAC

Looking for treatment resources, harm reduction supplies, health services, or basic-needs support?

Contact HEPPAC to learn more about available programs, service locations, eligibility, and referrals.

Use our contact form HERE or email info@heppac.org