Education and Dissemination
Education and Dissemination
Webinars
Toolkits/Manuals
Fact Sheets/White Papers/Reports
Videos
The Role of the Housing Specialist in HUD-VASH
As VHA works towards reducing homelessness among veterans, assisting Veterans secure and sustain permanent housing becomes an ongoing effort and a strong working relationship between HUD VASH case managers and housing specialists is paramount to helping veterans obtain and maintaining community stability. This webcast provides an overview of the housing specialist’s role, offers a foundation from which the position functions, and presents methods to work with community agencies to benefit Veterans transitioning to permanent housing.
Suggested Audience: Housing Specialists, Peer specialists, ACT Team Members, Homeless Program Supervisors
HUD Unit Inspection
Before a landlord can accept a Section 8 voucher, it is required that the unit is inspected by the local Public Housing Authority. This video provides an example of how a PHA official inspects a unit for voucher eligibility and the process an inspector goes through to determine the unit is ready for occupancy.
Suggested Audience: HUD-VASH Case Managers, potential landlords, Homeless Program Supervisors
The Housing First Approach in VA Homeless Programs
The Housing First Model is the foundation of HUD VASH, but how are the Housing First principles applicable to other VHA homeless programs? This video provides interviews with VHA homeless program leads discussing the Housing First approach within various program designs.
Suggested Audience: Homeless Program Staff, Community Providers
Implementing Trauma Informed Care Across all VA Homeless Programs
A review of literature indicates a significant connection between homelessness and trauma. This video provides interviews with VHA homeless program leads discussing how various programs implement trauma informed care within the program design, creating environments that are welcoming and safe.
Suggested Audience: Homeless Program Staff, Community Providers
Overview of VA’s Homeless Programs
This presentation offers a broad overview of the history of homelessness among Veterans and he programs developed by VA to help Veteran homeless populations. Included in the discussion is how Veteran homelessness was recognized as a significant issue, the early efforts to establish a national program for Veterans, the development of additional programs to address homelessness among Vietnam Veterans, and VA’s recent efforts to eliminate homelessness for all Veterans.
Suggested Audience: Homeless Program Staff, Community Providers
Evidence-Based Practices
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Training Webinars
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) Webinars
Training by Competency
Homeless Veteran Data
- Knowledge of the Homeless Programs Operational Planning HUB
- Understanding and knowledge of HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report(s) and the PIT count
- Understanding of the various reports in the Homeless Registry
- Understanding of VA’s CHALENG process and reports
- Knowledge of using available data to drive program decisions and planning
VA organizational structures
- Understanding of Justice Systems and impact on populations
- Working knowledge of VBA services and Homeless Programs
- Understanding of Network Homeless Coordinators’ (NHC) roles and organizational lines with HPO — Reference Document
- Understanding of coordination methods with VAMCs for the benefit of the Veteran
- Understanding of integration efforts for care — VA & community
- Understanding of local and national Veterans Service Organizations and their roles
Homeless Populations Prevalence and Impact on Society
- Understanding of Veteran composition, as well as Veteran and non-Veteran homeless, versus non homeless
- Knowledge of incidence, and prevalence of homelessness
- Knowledge of subpopulations of homeless Veterans
- Understanding of health characteristics of homeless populations
- Understanding of demographics of homeless Veterans populations, geography, cultures, and environments
- Overall understanding of homeless populations, epidemiology, demographics, and culture
- Understanding of origins of homeless programs
- Working knowledge of the laws, regulations, and precedence for homeless programs
- Knowledge of authorities to implement programs and funding sources (grants, contracts, specialized funding)
- Understanding of program designs and interventions for homeless populations and the underlying theories behind them
- Understanding of evidence based practices and practice-informed care
- Understanding of new and emerging practices
- Understanding principles of Housing First:
- Understanding of creating Trauma Informed environments of care
- Understanding of Recovery and Veteran Centric approaches to care
- Understanding of prevention of homelessness, and Rapid Re-housing
- Understanding of Harm Reduction and low demand principles of care — White Paper
- Understanding of ICARE principles in Homeless Programs
- Understanding of community uniform intake and CSH Training 2016
- Understanding of the impact and effect of working with law enforcement, and other authorities
- Understanding of how to develop constructive and effective relationships with Peers
- Knowledge of local coalitions and methods to coordinate and collaborate for services and resources
- Understanding of the impact and effect of homeless Veterans' relationships with family, neighbors, landlords, and community groups
- Understanding of working with Peers using a team approach — CIS Training Module: Role of Peers in Recovery
- Knowledge of developing and maintaining effective partnerships
- Understanding of the principles of leadership and their use for working with the community and in programs
- Understanding of the concepts and principles of, developing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with Veterans, the community, and with colleagues
Policy, Prior Research
- Knowledge of prior local and federal homeless policies and initiatives leading to current state of program designs and interventions
- Knowledge of early research, program evaluation, and development leading to current state of programs
Current Research and Implications
- Understanding of the diversity of homeless populations, specific to cultural issues, relationships, values, and the significance in engaging through community permanency
- Understanding of service era culture as it relates to homelessness and providing care
- Understanding of homeless subpopulations, cultural, relationship, and values differences, and their significance in providing care
- Awareness of ethical or boundary considerations while working with non-VA services providers like grantees or contractors
- CIS Training: Legal, Ethnical, and Professional Issues
- Awareness of ethical considerations working in the community and with community partners
- Understanding of ethical considerations in prioritizing or balancing services and possible limited resources
- Understanding of eligibility for various services and ethical considerations related to providing care
VA Pulse page: Education and Training within VHA’s Homeless Program Office (Internal to VA)
Trainings & Education SharePoint (Internal to VA)
VHA Train (External VA) NEW
HPO SharePoint (Internal to VA) NEW
The Center SharePoint (Internal to VA) NEW
VA Learning University 24x7 Learning
EES iLEARN (Internal to VA)
Talent Management System (TMS) (Internal to VA)
SSVF University
