NYC Shelter Health
Health Trainings
Ongoing trainings offered by the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Health Services Office are listed below.
- Harm Reduction Training: Required training for DHS-affiliated shelter staff on substance use risk reduction for people experiencing homelessness. Register
- Harm Reduction E-Learning: Self-paced online training on how to use a substance use risk reduction approach in shelters. On Absorb for DHS and HRA staff. Register
- Overdose Responder Training: Training on the DHS overdose response policy and procedure how and when to administer naloxone. This training is required for a shelter staff within the first week of starting work in shelter. Register
- Overdose Response and Naloxone Distribution Train-the-Trainer: Required training for shelter staff who are Overdose Prevention Champions or naloxone Traininers in DHS shelters. All shelters must have at least one Overdose Prevention Champion. Register
- Harm Reduction Skills Share: Open to DHS staff who have completed DHS Harm Reduction Training. These interactive sessions explore topics like risk reduction counseling, overdose safety planning, K2 risk reduction, alcohol risk reduction, medications for addiction treatment, and effective treatment referrals in depth. Register
- 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 in shelter. Staff will practice strategies to identify escalating behaviors and use effective approaches to intervene during different crisis levels. Register
- 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. Register
- Understanding Trauma & Building Positive Environments in Shelter: Recommended for all NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Families with Children (FWC) front-line staff. 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. Register