Session Description
The home visit is the cornerstone of the Housing First program, and one of only two conditions participants must consent to in order to access housing. As simple as it may sound, conducting a thorough and effective home visit is actually a targeted and nuanced intervention that can provide immeasurable insight into our participants’ health and wellness. In this session, attendees will learn how to conduct a home visit that satisfies the needs of a high fidelity Housing First program. Presenters will cover the before, during, and after of each visit, and provide a checklist of topics to discuss or monitor for attendees’ future reference. Presenters will also review common issues identified during home visits, best practices for inter- and intradepartmental communication, and strategies for engaging participants who regularly decline or miss visits.
Learn
Define the purpose and goals of the home visit as a targeted intervention
Name three tasks staff must complete to prepare for an effective home visit
Identify key information to be included in home visit documentation
Presenters
Andrew Spiers, MSS, 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.
Caitlin Mobley, MSW, LCSW (she/her), joined Pathways to Housing PA as an Assistant Team Leader in 2019, transitioned to Team Leader in 2020, and in 2021 became the agency’s Outreach Manager. In this role, Caitlin coordinates with Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services and various city agencies to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with Pathways to Housing PA. Prior to this, Caitlin worked in Permanent Supportive Housing and at a domestic violence shelter in New York City. Caitlin has witnessed the success of Housing First practice in action and is a firm believer that the model strongly contributes to the greater mission of ending homelessness. She received her Master of Social Work from Fordham University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York.