TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Building capacity for prevention across sectors through training, one-on-one coaching, program support, and facilitating dedicated communities of practice is at the root of our work. A Way Home, in collaboration with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and our Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab, is offering a stream of training and technical assistance (TTA). These include program model trainings, as well as enhanced training and technical assistance. Emerging from our work with the Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Demonstration Projects, our training process focuses on three core steps (RTI):

• Readiness – The readiness process focuses on the system or programmatic components necessary to have in place or work towards when accepting a new program model within a community or organization.
• Training – The training consists of virtual or classroom instruction to increase knowledge about the program model, as well as associated case management tools, resources and research.
• Implementation – The implementation phase allows for ongoing support from A Way Home trainers and systems planners to ensure uptake of the program model learnings. Within this phase, we offer case consultations, re-training (to address staff turnover, etc.) and enhanced program design.

Program Model Training

In-Person or Virtual Training

In-person and virtual training is part of a suite of training and technical support offered by A Way Home Canada for the housing and homeless-serving sector. We are working to build capacity at the frontlines to deliver prevention-based services that improve the well-being of young people. We offer hands-on coaching, in-depth training and practical tools to support the adaptation and adoption of prevention practices.

Housing First for Youth Program Model

The Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) program model promotes housing stabilization, well-being and social inclusion for youth experiencing homelessness. HF4Y is based on the successful Pathways model of Housing First and adapted for young people aged 13-24 to support them to exit homelessness and transition to adulthood.

Topics include:

• Comparing Housing First and HF4Y
• HF4Y core principles and philosophy
• Positive youth development
• Housing & home visits
• Case management

Combining instructor-led training, videos, case examples, discussion, reading and group activities, participants will receive hands-on practical training to implement HF4Y. Participants will also receive practical tools and resources to engage young people and their families and support day-to-day case management. Virtual sessions include 12 hours of instruction delivered in 4 sessions (3 hours each). Classroom trainings are 14 hours and can be provided virtual or in person.

Family and Natural Supports Framework

The Family and Natural Supports (FNS) framework is a preventive approach to addressing youth homelessness. FNS represents a shift in responses to homelessness, away from emergency services and toward prevention. FNS practitioner training supports participants to learn about the framework, its core principles and guiding philosophy. Participants are provided with practical strategies to support service delivery in communities.

Topics include:

• Importance of FNS in youth homelessness prevention
• FNS core principles
• Engaging families
• Outreach, intake and case management
• Case scenarios

This training is a combination of instructor-led training, videos, case examples, discussion, reading and group activities. Participants will receive a participant workbook with practical tools and resources to apply what they have learned. Participants will learn different models of implementing FNS within service organizations and what this looks like in practice. Virtual sessions include 12 hours of instruction delivered in 4 sessions (3 hours each). Classroom trainings are 14 hours and can be provided virtual or in person.

Youth Assessment and Prioritization Tool

The Youth Assessment and Prioritization (YAP) Tool is an innovation in helping a youth homelessness program or system of care to gain a greater understanding of where a youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness is on the road to experiencing long term homelessness.

The assessment is designed specifically to determine and prioritize each young person’s most appropriate and beneficial support and referral needs while identifying the young person’s risk factors and strengths which will be essential in supporting them moving forward.

Enhanced Training

Currently under development, these training offerings will be complimentary to program model trainings and have the flexibility to be paired together. These elements will not only enhance organizations’ approaches to youth homelessness prevention, but overall program effectiveness as well. Enhanced training under development include: Indigenous Youth Homelessness training, Healing Centred Engagement, Harm Reduction and Motivation Interviewing.

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance focuses on the nuts and bolts of program delivery and implementation. Our trainers can support you through case consultation, program, policy and procedure review, systems planning and fidelity reviews. Specific Case Management technical assistance will soon be offered.

Frequently Asked Questions