Hudson questions DSS on outreach worker training for LGBTQ+ street homeless
Hudson asks what training street outreach workers receive for engaging LGBTQ+ individuals. Dalton describes mandatory LGBTQIA+ training within 90 days and biennial refreshers, plus specialized TGNC placement training, and emphasizes the need for individualized solutions.
DSS is dedicated outreach to street homeless individuals.
What training do outreach workers receive in relation to engaging with LGBTQ plus individuals who are street homeless, especially in relation to support?
Their transition into shelters.
Thank you for that question.
All DHS staff as well as DHS contracted providers are required to have an LGBTQIA plus training within 90 days of start date and with every two years thereafter.
So there is required training.
In addition, our providers may offer additional support and training.
Just one example of training that's available to city and provider staff is the placement procedure training for transgender and gender nonconforming clients.
So that's one additional opportunity.
And when it comes to coordinating...
placement in the shelter system.
I think particularly for folks who are on the street, unhoused, we really do need to be at least aspiring to creative individualized solutions for those folks.
We know our shelter system works pretty well for the vast majority of people, but for people who are on the streets today, we want to make sure we're offering those individualized solutions.
We do train our staff and our providers when new
opportunities for housing come on board.
And so we're doing that kind of work, but also I'm particularly interested in understanding how individualized and creative we can be for people who are on the street.
Thank you.