COVID-19 Webinar Series - Current Topics and Implications for Continued Response and Planning

COVID-19 has dramatically altered the lives of everyone especially youth experiencing homelessness and the service landscape. This webinar series will build greater understanding about the full impacts of the pandemic on Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees and the youth they serve and support programs in addressing these impacts. It will also provide information to aid programs in preparing for the potential of future crises. In addition to the webinars, look for new resources from Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance (RHYTTAC) and topical discussions within the eLearning Community of Practice.

Webinar #1 - Unprecedented Times: How Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs Support Youth Well-Being in and Beyond the Pandemic

Date: May 17th 2-3pm EDT

The purpose of this webinar is to share with RHY Providers the findings from the 2020 National Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Grantees Training. This presentation discussed implications of COVID-19 for programming and strategies to respond to those implications. It also harnessed input and reflections from participants to drive additional training and technical assistance (TTA) on this topic.

Participants will:

• Review findings from the training session and highlight salient challenges in reaching and serving young people during the pandemic
• Be presented with strategies grantees have employed to overcome some of these challenges
• Discuss behavior change communication (BCC) strategies and efforts to promote positive health behavior
• Be guided through discussions around (1) technology and relationship building through technology and (2) Identifying and engaging youth and focus for future TTA on these topics

Presenters:

• Dr. Anne Farrell, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
• Maddox Guerilla, Youth Catalyst Team Member
• Lisa Hameed, ASW, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department, ​Family and Children’s Division
  
  

Slide Presentation for Webinar 1: Click Here to Download ppt (PDF)
Supplemental Resource for Webinar 1: Click Here to View (PDF)

Webinar #2 - COVID-19 Latest Developments: Vaccinations and Variants 

Date: Tuesday, June 1st 3-4pm EDT

This webinar will provide topical information related to COVID-19 - vaccinations and rise of new variants, resources related to new COVID-19 developments and implications on health and safety protocols, as well as resources on how to facilitate conversations with staff and program participants.

Participants will:

• Be given an overview of current information regarding vaccination rollout and new variants
• Learn about emerging issues on impact to program operations and safety protocols
• Discuss vaccine confidence and how to facilitate conversations with staff and program participants
• Be provided with guidance to develop organizational policies and protocols related to vaccination and program operations that address both staff and participants

Presenters:

• Dr. Coco Auerswald, University of California Berkeley, i4Y - Innovations for Youth
• Andrea Mackey, MPH, University of California Berkeley
• Jessica Lutz, MPH, University of California Berkeley

Materials for Webinar 2: COVID-19 Latest Developments: Vaccinations and Variants: 
Webinar 2 Slide Presentation ppt (pdf)
Common Concerns about COVID-19 Vaccines & Answers (pdf)
COVID-19 Brief - One Year Later (pdf)
COVID-19 Brief - How Vaccines Work (pdf)
Vaccine Conversation Leaders' Dialogue Training (pdf)
Community Dialogue Activity Vaccine Conversation Scenarios (pdf)

Webinar #3 -  Be Prepared! Planning for Future Risks & Crises

Date: Thursday, August 12th 1:30 - 2:45pm EDT

This webinar will provide tips and guidance on planning in the event of future public health crises or emergencies.

Participants will:

• Engage in a panel discussion between providers and emergency preparedness experts
• Be given an overview of essential preparedness tips and information to ensure organizations are prepared for any disaster
• Be provided with guidelines for developing emergency preparedness manuals - preparing for future public health crises or natural disaster 

Panelists:

• Dr. Matt Morton, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
• Lindsey Waldron, The Bridgespan Group
• Diamond Dumas, Youth Collaboratory Youth Catalyst Team
• Sparky Harlan, Bill Wilson Center
• Sumayya Menk, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Amy Pifine, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Materials for Webinar #3: Be Prepared! Planning for Future Risks & Crises:

Webinar 3: Be Prepared! Slide Presentation (pdf)
FEMA ICP Youth Preparedness Resources
FEMA ICP Resources April 2021
About the OPEN Training

TA Café: Innovations & Adaptations from the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Date: Tuesday, September 7th 3:00 - 4:00pm EDT

Building on the previous 3 webinars in our COVID-19 Series, this TA Café will provide a space to dig deeper into adaptations and emerging best practices that have surfaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that should be continued. Participants are encouraged to bring examples and ideas to share and will have the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer learning, facilitated discussion, and interactive coaching.

Facilitators: 

• Maddox Guerrilla, Youth Catalyst Team
• Kendan Elliott, Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center