NYC Shelter Health: Medical Provider Toolkit

For all DHS/HRA staff:

Harm Reduction Training: Required training for DHS-affiliated shelter staff on harm reduction for people experiencing homelessness. Next training date: August 18. Register
Harm Reduction E-Learning: Self-paced online training on how to use a harm reduction approach in shelters. On Absorb for DHS and HRA staff. Register
Overdose Responder Training: Training on overdose response and how and when to administer naloxone in NYC shelters. Next training date: August 12 & 26. Register

For Overdose Prevention Champions and Harm Reduction Service Providers:

Overdose Response and Naloxone Distribution Train-the-Trainer: Required training for shelter staff who are Overdose Prevention Champions. All shelters must have at least one Overdose Prevention Champion. Next training date: August 12. Register
Harm Reduction Skills Share: Open to DHS staff who have completed DHS Harm Reduction Training. This interactive workshop will include in-depth exploration of topics like risk reduction counseling, overdose safety planning, and effective treatment referrals. Next date: August 19. Register

Recommended for DHS Families with Children shelter frontline staff :

Understanding Trauma & Building Positive Environments in Shelter Training: This training will provide an overview of childhood trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and how to recognize signs of stress in children. Participants will learn tips and strategies to support positive childhood experiences in shelter to strengthen family resilience and improve health outcomes. Next training date: August 12. Register
Administering the Revised Biopsychosocial Assessment (BPS):

For mental health shelters only:

CPI Verbal Intervention Crisis De-escalation: This 8-hour, in-person training provides staff a framework for preventing, de-escalating, and safely responding to crisis behavior. Staff will practice strategies to identify escalating behaviors in others and use effective approaches to intervene during different crisis levels. Next training date: August 18. Register

Required for social service directors and staff submitting SPOA referrals:

Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPOA) Training for DHS Shelters: This training will provide an overview of NYC Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPOA) services such as Shelter Partnered Assertive Community Treatment (SPACT), Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) and non-Medicaid Care Coordination, as well as instructions to apply for services. Next training date: October 6. Register

NYC Shelter Health