Training Programs for VA Staff
Overview
The National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV) provides educational programs and training for VA Homeless Program Staff aimed at fostering ongoing development, skills enhancement, and learning while assisting Veterans who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. These educational programs are typically virtual, self-paced training that often offer CEUs (continuing education units) or certificates.
Currently, NCHAV has a few educational programs and training available:
Current Educational Programs & Training
Foundational Knowledge and Practice Curriculum
NCHAV’s revised Foundational Knowledge and Practice Curriculum for VHA Homeless and Veterans Justice Programs Staff is now available on VA’s Talent Management System (TMS). This voluntary educational program offers webinar content that has been identified as areas of knowledge and understanding determined to be foundational to providing high quality services to Veterans experiencing housing instability.
The Foundational Knowledge and Practice Curriculum addresses the identified learning needs of the NCHAV Knowledge Assessment conducted bi-annually in collaboration with VHA’s Institute for Learning, Education, and Development (ILEAD). The curriculum is developed on an ongoing basis, grounded on the expansions and progress of VHA homeless programming.
We welcome all VHA Homeless Program staff and highly encourage those who may be newer to their homeless programs position to complete these voluntary course offerings* at your convenience.
*Note: This training is currently only for VA staff; Others will not have access.
Customized Curriculum for VA Peer Specialists
This is a voluntary, 20-hour program designed to increase the knowledge of Veterans already serving in peer specialist positions in homelessness-related programs and to provide a basis for new employees entering the field.
We welcome all VHA Homeless Program staff and highly encourage those who may be newer to their homeless programs position to complete these voluntary course offerings* at your convenience.
*Note: This training is currently only for VA staff; Others will not have access.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
NCHAV has collaborated with subject matter experts in Motivational Interviewing (MI) to develop an evidence-based learning model to support VA Homeless Staff in improving MI skills. This is done by reinforcing an evidence-based treatment in unconventional environments, fostering supportive relationships with Veterans, enhancing engagement techniques, and integrating best practices to strengthen Veterans’ motivation and commitment to explore and overcome ambivalence to make positive change. The goal is for Homeless Program Staff to develop methods and knowledge that will enhance their clinical skills, contributing to effective strategies for engaging Veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
Motivational Interviewing is the first intervention developed that also has an associated training. The training program consists of two virtual modules, each lasting five hours, along with four 75-minute Community of Practice (CoP) sessions and two individual coaching sessions. Homeless Program Staff dedicate at least 18 hours over 8-10 weeks for this training experience and must complete role-play recordings as well as pre- and post-evaluations.
*Note: The training is still in its early production stages, but if you’d like more information on Motivational Interviewing or possibly want to get involved in the training, please contact us.