Today’s work environment requires collaborating with more than just the clients with whom you work. To provide effective support services, a team is needed to fully address the participant’s situation (housing, medical care, mental health, substance use, behaviors, etc.) and conflicting approaches can lead to confusion, which can cause services to be less effective. This can sometimes be described as conflict, and it delays progress. In this class, there will be discussion around what happens to us in situations where others may see things differently and utilize strategies to build a worker’s confidence. These strategies will also allow attendees to work toward congruence when those situations arise.

Diverse teams have multiple perspectives. Workers will need to be able to use an equitable and trauma-informed approach when building a coalition. Whether working with property management to secure housing or grass roots organizing, identifying shared values is essential for inclusion and partnership. Knowledge and regular practice of these skills can help continually refine these relationships, and gain insight and understanding.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Review tools to discern one’s own feelings and intentions when in situations that involve various partners and perspectives
• Review tools to build understanding and empathy when engaging with various partners
• Review engagement strategies that align with collaboration and coalition building approaches
• Practice communication strategies in real life scenarios

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

Registrants who fully attend this training will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education (CE) hours certified by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. CE certificates are provided by People Incorporated Training Institute.

PRESENTER:

Warren Duncan, BS, has had various roles throughout his career working with households experiencing homelessness and multiple barriers to stable housing. He has worked as direct support staff on mobile teams in Permanent Supportive Housing program across the metro area, assisted in outreach efforts for program participants living on the streets and in shelter, provided outreach to property managers and landlords, connecting them to support services in metro and greater Minnesota communities. He has worked to provide support to a network of supportive housing programs and community organizing among County, State, and local community agencies in Southern and Central Minnesota. He is currently overseeing all programming as Program Director for a Minnesota Nonprofit. Warren enjoys facilitating workshops and has led a number of training sessions. Topics include Building Landlord Relationships, Housing First, Harm Reduction, Navigating Conflict, De-escalation, and Mindfulness. Warren grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to Minnesota shortly after graduating from Iowa State University. He currently lives with his family in the Twin Cities western suburbs. He enjoys drawing, painting, and photography in his spare time.

The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.