Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/13/2023
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
This training will focus on the role that “Stages of Change” Theory and Harm Reduction play in making Housing First a solution to addressing homelessness. The training will address attitudes and stigma about mental illness and substance while using informed decision making. The training will be interactive therefore participants are encouraged to be on camera and participate. Instructor, David Elkins, LISW-S has been a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio for about 15 years. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2008 and Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2010, both from the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work. David’s work has focused on people experiencing extreme poverty and homelessness, and persons who use drugs. His work in homelessness started in 2009 as a practicum student at the “old” Drop Inn Center, and in 2010 he was hired by Over the Rhine Community Housing, as “Program Coordinator” for the newly opening, Jimmy Heath House. At the Jimmy Heath House his work has focused on the intersection between Housing First policy and Harm Reduction and creating an environment where individuals can regain stability and have access to a resource rich environment. In addition to his work at Jimmy Heath, he has done work as an adjunct professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati. He’s also provided trainings in Housing First and harm reduction for the Sharp Network, The Barron Center, The Margret Clark Morgan Foundation, The Corporation for Supportive Housing, and currently provide training and technical assistance in the “Drug User Health” team of the National Alliance of State and Territorial Aids Directors (NASTAD.) All this work focuses on Housing First implementation and the role Harm Reduction plays in keeping people safe and stably housed. David’s perspective and training are informed by the idea that housing is a “right” and that work as homeless service providers, is at least in part, to challenge the systemic violence, oppression, and bias, against the individuals we serve. Harm Reduction offers the most pragmatic approach to housing individuals who have been chronically homeless and substance using and allows workers the opportunity to engage in strategies to keep these individuals housed
Registration
Registration is closed for this event.
