Changing the Course of Homelessness: Diversion and Prevention

About this Training:

An important aspect of ending homelessness is to incorporate mechanisms to keep people from entering the homeless system in the first place. Diversion is a focused, preventative practice associated with ensuring that those who are for the first time being introduced to homelessness, either by arriving at shelter or facing imminent eviction, are worked with immediately to explore alternatives that will not only prevent entry into shelter but also may serve as a viable option for a longer-term solution for stabilization. We know that just staying one night in shelter can drastically increase the chances of remaining homeless long-term. We know that the longer someone is in shelter, the more likely they are to stay homeless. Diversion training will help individuals learn what is necessary to establish diversion programming and the concrete skills, resources, and practices essential for successful implementation.

This training will provide operational guidelines, language, and scripting, as well as an understanding of the value of prevention over intervention. Trainees will be able to tailor the training content for their local context and be able to explore where and how diversion practices might be best utilized in their system of care.

Instructor Led (In-person and virtual options)

Training Audience:

This training is appropriate for:

Organizational and system leadership supporting a systemic approach to ending homelessness
Front line staff and organizations

Training can be tailored according to attendees and the community or system involved.

Note – The TTA requests that all training include at a minimum, one member of leadership from each organization/agency represented, be present as a learner.

Training Length:

In-Person: 1 day (7.5 hrs)
Virtual: 3 four-hour blocks (12 hrs – 1 block per day)

Training Capacity:

In-Person: 40 maximum / 8 Minimum
Virtual: 25 maximum / 8 Minimum

Training Objectives:

This training will provide attendees with:

An increased understanding of why diversion is the first line of attack in the battle to end homelessness.
An uncreased understanding of the questions that make a difference at intake.
Insight into when shelter stays are appropriate and when they are not.
Insight into why diversion is not a one-and-done approach.
Skills and approaches for working with people who are entering into homelessness for the first time – or for the one hundredth time.
Practical tools that organizations can adopt to encourage strength based, client centred work.
An understanding of how organizational culture can positively influence successful diversion.
A clear understanding of the current diversion practice and process.

Training Prerequisite Onboarding Modules:

Mandatory: None
Beneficial Options: Access here
– Trauma-Informed Care and Practice: The Basics (FEE REQUIRED)
– Coordinated Access 101 (FEE REQUIRED)
– Homelessness 101 (FREE)
– Housing First 101 (FREE)

Certificate of Completion:

Through the TTA LMs, attendees will have the ability to receive a certificate of completion for the training .

Attendees must be present for the full training to do so.

To receive a certificate, attendees must complete and pass a final knowledge check/assessment (within 30 days post training).

70% is required to pass.
Each person will have unlimited attempts.

Training Costs:

Please inquire using the “Request More Info” button to the right regarding fee. Please note that all fees quoted should be considered an “all-inclusive” cost which means there would be not additionl costs for travel, prep, admin, or other items added to the rate provided to you with the exception of provincial tax.

Members: A system, community, or organization can become a “Member” by purchasing an annual subscription to self-paced online onboarding modules. Discounts on live training are available determined by the subscription package chosen. (See “Onboarding Module” section here).

REQUEST MORE INFO

The CAEH TTA program is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Community Capacity and Innovation funding stream of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.