In partnership with Journey Home, we are hosting this training to provide emergency shelter providers with practical guidance and resources to support the safe and effective accommodation of pets in congregate shelter settings. Participants will learn about recommended vaccination requirements, veterinary care considerations, and key factors in developing shelter policies and procedures related to animal care. Representatives from Lebanon Veterinary Hospital/Pieper will share veterinary guidance to help providers better understand the health needs of animals in shelter environments.

The training will also feature My Dog Is My Home, a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding pet-inclusive emergency and affordable housing and amplifying the voices of people who have experienced homelessness with their animals. Through its My Dog Is My Home presentation, participants will explore the importance of the human-animal bond and the role of pet-inclusive practices in creating more accessible and supportive shelter environments. The session will highlight practical strategies for accommodating pets in shelter settings, as well as guidance on assistance animals and reasonable accommodations. Participants will leave with actionable information to help strengthen shelter policies, address animal health and safety needs, and create more inclusive environments that support people and their pets during times of housing crisis.

Presenter: Abigail Lieberman, MPH
Supervisor, Change the Script
Wheeler Health

This practical training provides staff working within the homeless response system with foundational knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose and support individuals who may be at increased risk of overdose.

Participants will learn about naloxone, including how it works, when it should be administered, and key considerations for distributing and carrying naloxone in homeless response settings. The training will review common signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and provide guidance on appropriate steps to take when an overdose is suspected, including when and how to access emergency medical assistance.

The session will also introduce risk reduction principles that staff can incorporate into everyday interactions with participants. Participants will explore factors that can increase overdose risk, including changes in tolerance, mixing substances, using alone, and transitions in housing or treatment. The training will emphasize meeting people where they are, providing accurate information, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources without judgment.

Through discussion and practical examples, participants will consider how shelter, outreach, housing, and other homeless response staff can play an important role in increasing access to naloxone, recognizing an emergency, supporting participant safety, and connecting people to additional services and resources.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe what naloxone is and its role in responding to opioid overdose.
• Identify common signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose.
• Describe appropriate steps to take when an overdose is suspected.
• Explain key considerations for naloxone distribution, storage, and access in homeless response settings.
• Identify common factors that can increase overdose risk.
• Apply basic risk reduction principles when working with individuals who use substances.
• Identify opportunities to provide naloxone, overdose education, and connections to appropriate resources as part of routine homeless response practice.

Presenter: Michelle Anderson, MSW
Director of Early Childhood Programs
EdAdvance

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Overview: Understanding the Law, Implications for Homeless Service Providers, and the Impact on Families Experiencing Homelessness.

An estimated 2 million children and youth experience homelessness each year in the United States. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides important rights, protections, and services designed to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to educational opportunities and the support they need to succeed.

Under McKinney-Vento, every school district is required to follow the legislation and designate a McKinney-Vento Liaison to support students and families experiencing homelessness. The law focuses on removing barriers to PreK–12 educational access, enrollment, attendance, and academic success for students experiencing homelessness.

This workshop will provide an overview of the McKinney-Vento Act and explore how the law applies to children, youth, families, schools, and community service providers. Participants will learn about the identification and eligibility of students experiencing homelessness, enrollment requirements, the role and responsibilities of McKinney-Vento Liaisons, and the educational rights and protections available to eligible students.

The training will also highlight the importance of collaboration between schools, homeless service providers, and community organizations. Participants will explore how strong community connections and coordinated resources can help address barriers faced by families experiencing homelessness and support positive outcomes for students and their families.