Best Practices in Care: Engaging Homeless People Through Outreach
June 30, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – July 23, 2014 – United Way of the Midlands is launching a year-long partnership with the South Carolina Coalition for the Homeless to provide free training through the “Best Practices in Care” series. On July 23, United Way and the SC Coalition for the Homeless along with the Dorn VA and South Carolina Department of Mental Health are partnering to host the second training of the series called “Engagement through Outreach” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This training follows the first session in the series called “Housing First,” which took place on June 24. Program staff providing street outreach or in-reach services and shelter staff including senior program staff and Executive Directors are invited to attend. The training will take place at Hope Plaza on Main Street.
The event will focus on supporting staff who reach out to those experiencing homelessness every day. The session will offer an overview of best practices including motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, safety and cultural competence for reaching people who are on the street. Training sessions will include panel discussions and presentations with an opportunity for participants to suggest additional training interests.
“Outreach is the first critical step in engaging people who are homeless into care,” said Anita Floyd, Board Chair of the SC Coalition for the Homeless and Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Strategic Implementation at United Way. “Because outreach focuses on those who are least able or willing to accept services, effective outreach requires patience and special skills. We want to equip program staff with what they need to succeed.”
The training is free, but advanced registration is required. Space is limited, so please register early. Lunch will be provided. Registration and more information are available at uway.org.
United Way will work with additional specialized partners throughout the year. For more information about this event, please contact Jennifer Moore at [email protected] or 803.733.5421.
About United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands is the most organized, efficient and accountable system for investing in the community. With more than 85 certified partner agencies, United Way works to identify and respond to the critical human service needs of Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties. Funds are raised through workplace campaigns, grant writing and individual donations. For more information, please visit www.uway.org.
