Robert Childs

Robert Childs, MPH, is currently a Technical Expert Lead II at JBS International, focusing on providing technical assistance on rural polysubstance overdose prevention and response projects. Prior to working at JBS, Robert worked as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) from 2009 to 2018 and specialized in harm reduction practice, overdose prevention and response initiatives, drug policy advocacy and reform, media affairs, law enforcement-assisted diversion (LEAD), and law enforcement occupational safety and drug overdose response. At NCHRC, Robert helped develop and enhance syringe access programs, fentanyl test strip distribution programs, as well as community, EMS, and law enforcement-based naloxone distribution programs and LEAD program sites. Robert also directed the campaigns with NCHRC that led to the passage of multiple comprehensive bills, including 911 Good Samaritan, naloxone access, partial syringe decriminalization, biohazard collection, syringe access programs, naloxone funding, and LEAD funding. During this time, Robert helped as a core member of the advocacy team that helped pass Georgia's 911 Good Samaritan and naloxone law, and he also helped with multiple red-state campaigns to pass harm reduction legislation. In his current volunteer time, Robert leads a couple of harm reduction service projects in SE Tennessee and NW Georgia. Robert holds a Master of Public Health from the University of New Hampshire-Manchester and a BA in history from Lewis and Clark College.