Calendar

Overview

 

It’s easy to ignore the homeless people we see as we go through our personal and professional lives. California has the highest number of homeless individuals in the US, per capita, and they seem to be everywhere you look. If your job involves contact with homeless people, these encounters can range from routine and normal to difficult and even dangerous. Not all homeless people are violent, high on drugs or alcohol, or mentally ill. Many of them are good people caught in a terrible life situation. Others can be more predatory in their behavior, both to other homeless people and towards you, especially if you have to take any kind of enforcement action against them.

 

It can help to know more about homeless people and how they see the would they are trying to live in. This webinar will help all participants develop a deeper understanding of the traits, behaviors, and characteristics  displayed by homeless people, especially in field contact situations. The key is to be able to “compassionately address their problematic behaviors” (as suggested by co-presenter and homeless advocate Ryan Dowd) in ways that show empathy. If you serve or encounter this population, this webinar is designed for you.

 

Webinar Participants: This session is for employees who may have face-to-face or field contact with the homeless, including:

 

• law enforcement officers
• library staff
• parks and recreation staff
• park rangers
• lifeguards
• public works employees
• maintenance workers
• building inspectors
• code compliance officers
• utility company employees
• parking enforcement officers
• community service officers
• social workers
• substance abuse counselors
• home healthcare providers
   
  Presentation Topics:
• Statistical segments of the homeless population.
• Myths and realities about the homeless.
• Mental illness and the homeless.
• Dealing with homeless people who have substance abuse problems.
• Enforcing rules, library or municipal codes, policies, and laws, with empathic treatment.
• Using “water tools” instead of “fire tools.”
• Problem-solving for chronic homeless issues.
• Minimizing conflict during homeless encounters.
• Safety issues with dangerous homeless people.
• Getting help from Social Services, mental health clinicians, law enforcement, homeless outreach teams, shelters, and advocacy groups. 

Need More Info or Help?
We hope you can join us. Feel free to contact Doug McGill for more details.

Phone: 916-850-7300
Email: dmcgill@csac-eia.org