introduction to spdat and vi-spdat training for the housing stability system in waterloo region...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to SPDAT and
VI-SPDAT Training for
the Housing Stability Systemin Waterloo Region
Training Date: November 17, 2014
Training Outline
• Introductions• Expectations for today• Local context • SPDAT overview• Local implementation progress & resources• Overview of domains• VI-SPDAT training • What's next• Evaluation & wrap-up
Introductions
• Your name and your connection to the housing stability system (program/organization)
• Your agency's experience with VI-SPDAT and/or full SPDAT OR plans to use either tool (if known)
• Your personal experience with VI-SPDAT and/or full SPDAT (if any)
• Your hopes for today
What You Can Expect From Us
We will provide:• a general introduction to the tools, in the context of
our local efforts to end homelessness• training on the VI-SPDAT (not full SPDAT)
We are in the "soft launch" phase in Waterloo Region• we are still in the "early days" of learning about the
tools and what they can do for us• this is our very first training session on the VI-SPDAT• the VI-SPDAT is part of the 20,000 Homes Campaign
Local Context
Housing Stability System• one of many community systems supporting people in
Waterloo Region
• network of organizations (including various orders of government, businesses and not-for-profits), groups and individuals
• support people who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of housing loss
• support the broader community to end homelessness
Emergency Shelter
Street Outreach
Housing Help
Time Limited Residence
Affordable Housing and Supportive Housing
5 Program Areas
The Strategy
1) Policy Framework: Common point of reference for thinking about how to end homelessness.
2) Action Framework: Supports the community to take action to end homelessness.
GoalsPrimary for the community – to end homelessness.
Secondary for the housing stability system:
1. Support a shared approach.
2. Support people. • Increase housing retention.
• Reduce the length of time people experience transitional homelessness.
• End persistent homelessness.
• Increase sense of belonging.
3. Strengthen the system.
WHAT WE ALL NEED
Homelessness is Always a Housing Issue*
• We support people to find, establish and/or retain adequate housing.
• What is "adequate housing"?– permanent, – desirable to the person/family, – affordable, – safe, – adequately maintained, – accessible, and – a suitable size.
* but it may not be the only issue!
WHAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS
Collective Impact Ending Homelessness
1. Common Agenda 2. Cross-Sector
Collaboration3. Learning Culture4. Continuous
Communication5. Backbone Support
1. Housing Stability & Belonging
2. Accessibility 3. Housing Retention4. Rapid Re-Housing5. Housing First
Draft Housing First Applications• Belief that everyone deserves housing, is housing ready, and
is better able to address challenges once housed• Person-directed: focus on housing choice, reducing harm
Philosophy
• Working together to end homelessness by:• Prioritizing investments in supporting people to retain
and/or find permanent housing as quickly as possible• Supporting people to access the right programs, at the
right time
System Approach
• No housing pre-conditions, no treatment required, re-house as needed
• Designed for people experiencing persistent homelessness• Small staff to participant ratios (ICM or ACT models)• Support to find, establish and/or retain permanent housing,
often with rent subsidy• Minimum once/week visits from Housing First worker
Program Model
Local Context Summary
• We are part of a well organized system– common agenda (local Strategy, 10 Yr Plan)– learning culture supports us to evolve (e.g., access)
• Ending homelessness requires housing options and a focus on long term housing stability– Housing Retention, Rapid Re-Housing, Housing First– adequate housing (permanent, affordable,
desirable…), belonging, person-directed support• We are guided by our core values– Collaboration, Accessibility, Respect, Excellence
SPDAT Overview
What Is It?
• SPDAT's birth story:– Born in Toronto. Idea generated from direct support
experience (shelters and street outreach). – Extensive research/testing.
• Measures risks to housing stability in key domains:– VI-SPDAT identifies the presence of an issue.
• Used in thousands of communities.
– SPDAT identifies the depth of an issue.• Used in more than 500 communities.
What Can It Do?
Supports participants to strengthen housing stability and belonging:• Reduces the number of times people need to “tell
their story” to access resources • Informs planning within the supportive relationship• Identifies changes in depth of need over time
Supports systems to strengthen collective impact: • Supports greater access and equity; assists with
prioritization and triage
General Housing Help Support
Permanent Supportive Housing
& STEP Home Housing First
Programs
Different People,
Different Needs
Depth of Need Informed by
SPDAT
Rapid Re-HousingSupport
= Right Program, Right Time
SYSTEM VIEW
What It Is Not?
• SPDAT does NOT take the place of other valuable tools or other ways of understanding: – What you see with your own eyes– What you hear with your own ears– What you read from documents shared with you*– What other professionals have to contribute*
• SPDAT does NOT provide a diagnosis of any sort.
* Applies to full SPDAT only.
Local Implementation Progress
• Spring 2014 pilot with 6 agencies included:– Training– 3 month trial– Final evaluation
• Identified the following strengths:• supports a unified approach and common language;• provides a quick, easy, and objective overview of
support needs and barriers to housing stability;• informs referrals; and • useful for assessing people’s changing needs over time.
What's Available to You Now
• OrgCode website: http://www.orgcode.com/– Description of tools (and other great resources!)– Videos (also check out Vimeo)– Articles and blog entries (also check out FB)
• VI-SPDAT:– Manual for singles– Survey for singles and families– Excel data entry and scoring spreadsheet
Overview of Domains
Wellness Risks
Socialization & Daily
Functions
Housing History
Family Unit
Wellness
Mental Health and Wellness & Cognitive
Functioning
Abuse/Trauma
Substance Use
Physical Health & Wellness
Medication
Risks
Harm
Interaction with
Emergency Services
Managing Tenancy
High Risk & Exploitive Situations
Legal
Socialization & Daily Functions
Meaningful Daily Activities
Administration & Money
Management
Social Relations & Networks
Self-care & Daily Living
Skills
Housing History
History of Homelessness
& Housing
Family Unit
Family Dynamics
VI-SPDAT Training
Overview of Roles
Participant Role:• Seeking access to resources• Agree to participate• Answer questions honestly
Your Role:• Follow general script • Ask the questions exactly as they are presented• Score the results• Offer participants a summary• Share your learning with the local network
Children
Family Unit
F-VI-SPDAT Score
Learning from Each Other
• Don't change the wording or the order.
• Encourage honest answers.
• Practice.
• Keep it brief – it's a survey, not therapy.
• If part of intake, consider doing it last.
• You can do it over the phone.
• Minimize distractions. Pick a good time.
Keep In Mind…
• It is a TOOL! (Decision Assistance TOOL not Decision MAKER tool)
• There will always be exceptions – a “notwithstanding” clause will be necessary in some instances
• The SPDAT is evolving – your voice is important to its evolution!
Let's Try It!
• "Pair and practice" exercise.
• Surveyor role: • Follow the general script provided.• Ask the questions. Do not change the words or order.
• Participant role:• Answer from the perspective of someone you support.
• Give feedback to each other. Then to the group.
What's Next
• Implementation of VI-SPDAT through programs
• More training planned for later in 2015
• SPDAT network is developing resources to further support implementation across the system:– peer support opportunities
– scripts
– consent forms
– complementary housing barriers tool
– integrating tools within support plans/processes over time
– training in HIFIS
Evaluation & Wrap Up
• Please complete your evaluation forms and leave them at your tables.