ABOUT THE PROGRAM
THE CALGARY HOMELESS
FOUNDATION AND THE FACULTY
OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF
CALGARY JOINTLY DEVELOPED THIS
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.
The inspiration and efforts of
John Schutte, M.A., and
Pamela Thompson, M.D., on
the creation of the Curriculum is
expressly acknowledged.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS
hh Experience working with youth, adults and/or
families who are experiencing homelessness
hh Minimum of high school diploma or
equivalent
hh Applicants whose first language is not
English, will demonstrate language
proficiency
hh Persons with lived experience are also
encouraged to apply
CERTIFICATE FEES
WORKING WITH
HOMELESS POPULATIONS
CERTIFICATE LEARNING
GOALS
$1,795.00 includes program admission and
tuition fees
This program will support you to:
1. Partial scholarships are available for this
program through an application process.
Please contact by email lfaulkne@ucalgary.
ca or phone 403-220-2160 about application
process.
hh Develop skills and knowledge for working
within the homeless sector and associated
promising practices in the field including
Housing First
hh Learn from knowledgeable instructors who
have practical work experience and, engage
with peers and colleagues in collaborative
networking across agencies
hh Become knowledgeable on case
management, mental health, systemic
oppressions, addictions, FASD, domestic
violence and inter-cultural issues
hh Develop an understanding of different legal
issues within the homeless sector
hh Develop a deeper awareness and
understanding of different mental health
concerns and health conditions for
individuals who are homeless
hh Develop awareness of the need for self-care
within this profession
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS
PROGRAM?
The certificate is designed for front-line staff
working in the homeless sector who want
to develop and enhance their knowledge
and practice skills. This certificate will be a
pre-requisite for any advanced course offerings
in this program.
Photo courtesy of the Calgary Homeless Foundation
HOW TO APPLY
2. This program is also available without a
scholarship for a full fee of $1,795 through
Continuing Education at the University
of Calgary. Please contact the Continuing
Education Department directly at 403-2202866 or follow the link.
3. For direct enrollment through Continuing
Education, please indicate the course number
CPE 196 – 008.
4. The scholarship application deadline is
December 23, 2014.
For program information, registration
questions and Scholarship inquiries please
contact:
Larysa Faulkner
Administrative Assistant
Professional Development Program
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW,
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Phone: 403-220-2160 | Fax: 403-210-6414
Email: [email protected]
Academic Lead/Program Coordinator
Dorothy Badry, PhD, RSW
Faculty of Social Work
University of Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 403-220-4502
Certificate in
Working with Homeless Populations:
Practice Fundamentals
(CPE 196 – 008)
January – April 2015
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This certificate offers a unique learning experience on fundamental practice skills for front-line workers
from different agencies working with the homeless population. Through a series of modules taught
by professionals in the field, students will learn the basics, develop a knowledge framework and
collaborate with colleagues on the front line. This program has been designed for individuals working
in the sector through a unique, community-university collaboration.
MODULES AND DATES
Module 1: Life on the Streets
This module provides practitioners with a
working knowledge of: life and culture on the
streets; specific needs and strengths of clients
with a history of homelessness; understanding
peer models and how to develop rapport with
clients who typically distrust service providers.
The focus will be on personal identity and the
role of culture in the transition to stable housing.
Date: Thursday January 15, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Stasha Huntingford
Module 2: Working with
Compassion: Outreach and
Engagement
This module will focus on the basic skills
necessary to provide outreach services and
engage homeless persons in service networks. It
will examine how to develop therapeutic rapport
and a helpful alliance with homeless persons. We
will also explore issues of professional identity
and self.
Date: Thursday January 22, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Sydney Gill
Field Trip for WHP Certificate
Calgary Alpha House (9 AM – 12:30 PM)
Students will meet at Alpha House (203 – 15
Avenue SE, Calgary) just before 9 AM for an inner
city tour and agency visit.
Date: Saturday April 11, 2015
Instructor: Adam Melnyk, Outreach Coordinator
Module 3: Legal Issues
This module explores common legal dilemmas
faced by people who are homeless, including
family law, landlord & tenant law and procedure,
criminal and bylaw offences, and human rights.
Date: Tuesday January 27, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Gabriel Chen
Module 4: Self-Care and Burn-out
This module will provide students the
opportunity to explore the personal challenges
they face in working in the homeless sector and,
and to become aware of strengths and strategies
for self-care. Issues to be discussed include:
handling conflicts between personal values and
those of clients, or agency mandates; exploration
of burnout and how to recognize it. Other topics
include building a circle and culture of support;
while balancing professional and personal needs
in this work.
Date: Thursday February 5, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Kerrie Moore
Module 5: Domestic Violence
This module provides practitioners with in-depth
and practical knowledge regarding domestic
violence and offers opportunity for reflection
and learning around the intertwined issues of
domestic violence, homelessness, and poverty.
Date: Thursday February 12, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Heather Morley
Module 6: Case Management,
System Navigation, and
Intercultural Issues
These formerly homeless
tenants received housing
with support at three
different buildings owned
by the Calgary Homeless
Foundation and operated
by Alpha House in Calgary.
presented with diverse perspectives on housing
models, and examples of how these models
have been applied in Calgary. This module offers
a critical look at what is needed to help clients
maintain housing.
Date: Thursday March 5, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructor: Stasha Huntingford
Module 8: Diversity and AntiOppressive Practice: Working with
Multiple Populations
This module will introduce multiple aspects of
working with persons from diverse backgrounds,
This module provides the opportunity to learn
with a focus on developing skills of cultural
about the provision of effective case management,
competence. It will explore the concept of how
create linkages within a complex system,
anti-oppressive practice, culture, ethnicity and
and explore ways to work collaboratively and
differing backgrounds play a role in developing a
effectively within diverse systems. The Calgary
worldview. This module will offer a particular focus
Homeless Foundation’s Case Management Model
on Aboriginal issues.
will be covered. Navigating service systems will
be addressed, as well as inter-cultural issues
for immigrant populations, ethics, and interprofessional practice.
Dates:Saturday February 21, 2015 (PF 4267)
Saturday February 28, 2015 (PF 4259)
Instructors: Dr. Peter Choate & Thomas Jieldit
Module 7: Housing First & Other
Housing Models
This module provides the historical context
of housing for homeless persons and the
development, and practical application of the
Housing First Model. A panel discussion will be
Dates: Thursday March 12, 2015 (PF 4267)
Saturday March 14, 2015 (PF 4259)
Instructors: Les Jerome & Kerrie Moore
Module 9: Introduction to Health
and Wellness
This module increases students’ awareness of
common medical conditions among homeless
populations, the challenges in receiving
appropriate services, and issues related to health
care in this population.
Dates: Thursday March 19, 2015 (PF 4267)
Saturday March 21, 2015 (PF 4267)
Instructors: Janis Radtke & Ingrid Meeuwisse
Photo courtesy of the Calgary Homeless Foundation
Module 10: Mental Health,
Addictions, and Co-occurring
Disorders
Mental health problems and substance abuse
are often co-occurring disorders amongst
homeless persons. The module provides basic
understanding of the behavioral indicators of
major psychosocial disorders, how to respond to
addiction problems and front- line approaches
when working with persons in acute distress.
This module will cover Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD) as a disability, and implications
for practice.
Dates:Thursday March 26, 2015 (PF 4267)
Saturday April 18, 2015 (PF 4259)
Saturday April 25, 2015 (PF 4259)
Instructors: Dr. Peter Choate, Dr. Dorothy Badry, &
Janis Radtke
Final Class – Group Presentations
Attendance is Required
Date: Thursday April 30, 2015 (PF 4259)
Notes:
All classes are scheduled from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
except:
hh The Orientation Session on January 15, 2015 that
begins at 8 AM
hh Class on March 21, 2015 is scheduled for a
half day to complete module 9 on Health and
Wellness
hh Group Presentations are scheduled from 9 AM to
12:30 PM on April 30, 2015
hh Field Trip is scheduled on April 11, 2015 from 9
AM to 12:30 PM
Mandatory Requirements:
hh Orientation Session begins at 8 AM on January
15, 2015
hh Completed Journal Assignments
hh Group Project Presentations (final class on April
30, 2015)
hh 85% attendance rate is required to complete the
certificate