erica c. ernst, LCSW, RDDP, EMT-P, CADC erica has worked in mental health, substance use, and services for unhoused folx for 30 years, joining Renaissance Social Services, Inc. as their Clinical Director in 2016. erica formerly worked at Thresholds for 21 years in permanent supportive housing, city-wide street and public transit outreach, and HIV testing and linkage services.  erica has volunteered with the Chicago Recovery Alliance for the last 17 years, providing Narcan, HCV/HIV testing, clean injection, snorting and smoking supplies, wound care and offering counseling. erica leads the current Chicago Recovery Alliance Board of Directors, and served as the interim Executive Director from September 2020 until March 2022. erica is a member of Chicago Action Medical, providing street and protest medicine. Prior to moving to Chicago, erica worked in a 250 bed men’s shelter in Boston. erica speaks nationally on Trauma Informed Care, Street Outreach, and Harm Reduction.