Housing First for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

This session will address special considerations for implementing Housing First services for individuals using substances, with particular emphasis on opioids. Attendees will explore the role opioids play in increased rates of unsheltered homelessness, note high risk transition points for individuals with opioid use disorder or polysubstance use disorder, and discuss harm reduction strategies used to keep participants safe in independent living settings. Presenters will provide suggestions for unique services offered to the SUD population, and partnerships to consider in your local community. The session will also cover common concerns and barriers to care, as well as creative solutions employed by Housing First teams to keep participants safe and successfully housed.

Schedule

12:45-1:00 PM   Virtual training room opens  
1:00-1:10 PM     Welcome, introductions, & check-in activity  
1:10-1:40 PM     The intersection of substance use & homelessness; Our response  
1:40-1:50 PM     Housing: Challenges & strategies  
1:50-2:00 PM     Break  
2:00-2:20 PM     Clinical: Challenges & strategies  
2:20-2:40 PM     Harm reduction for Opioid use and overdose prevention  
2:40-2:50 PM     Medical: Challenges & strategies  
2:50-3:00 PM     Case studies  
3:00-3:15 PM Summary, closing remarks, Q&A

Learning objectives  
When attendees return to the workplace, they will be able to:

• Describe what Housing First services look like for individuals with opioid use disorder and the unique challenges presented by opioid use
• Name three high-risk transition points for individuals with substance use disorders
• Identify three harm reduction strategies you can use with individuals using substances in independent living settings

Target Audience: Social service providers and helping professionals with direct client contact, Certified Peer Specialists, Certified Recovery Specialists, clinical supervisors, agency administrators, and others working at the intersection of homelessness and addiction services.  
Social Work Practice Level: This course is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced BSW/ MSW learners.​​​​​​​  
Course Delivery Format: Live webinar  
Interactivity: This course will offer 15 minutes of Q&A time, as well as real-time polling, and group discussion prompts. ​​​​​​​  
Social Work Continuing Education Credit: 2 general competence continuing education credits  
Fees: $20 general registration; additional $5 for registration with social work CE credit. 

Registration includes access to the live event and recording, PDF of slides, and relevant training tip sheets/resources.

Session Facilitators:

Khalil Martin, MSW, LSW (he/him), joined Pathways to Housing PA in 2021 and served in a clinical leadership role on an ACT team for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder before joining Housing First University as a Training Specialist in January 2023. Prior to this, Khalil worked as a Behavioral Health Therapist at runaway & homeless youth shelters throughout the tri-state area, as well as with Project HOME, where he assisted in the creation of the Gloria Casarez Residence– the first permanent supportive housing for LGBTQ+ young adults in Pennsylvania. Drawing from principles of feminist theory, Khalil uses a strength-based and person-centered approach to assist individuals in understanding and navigating various forms of oppression and how these systems impact one's personal and interpersonal experiences. Khalil received his Master’s degree in clinical social work from The University of Pennsylvania.  

Andrew Spiers, LSW (he/him) is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for Pathways to Housing PA’s Housing First University. Andrew joined Pathways in early 2018 and served as an Assistant Team Leader and Team Leader before launching Housing First University in October 2019. Andrew holds a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, where he concentrated in Community Practice, Policy, & Advocacy. He has taught Human Services and Sociology courses as an adjunct professor at Harcum College and conducted trainings and workshops all over the country on Housing First, harm reduction, and affirming care for LGBTQ+ communities.  

 ACE approval statement: Housing First University: a program of Pathways to Housing PA, provider #1759, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 01/12/2022 - 01/12/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 general continuing education credits.

*Housing First University, a program of Pathways to Housing PA, can provide continuing education credits to licensed social workers in 48 of the 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. Due to current regulations, CE credits cannot be offered to social workers in the states of New Jersey or New York. If you are not a Licensed Social Worker, please check with your board of accreditation to ensure this training meets your licensing needs.

To request an accessibility accommodation, please email: training@pthpa.org

For questions or comments, please contact: 
Andrew Spiers, LSW 
Continuing Education Director 
Housing First University, a program of Pathways to Housing PA
aspiers@pthpa.org 
(215) 390-1500, ext. 1708