Day One, 2021 RHY National Grantee Training
Tuesday, November 16th

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

Virtual Event Platform Support
The 2021 RHY National Grantee Training will be presented through the Hopin Virtual Event Platform. Support is available at any time by emailing [email protected] or using the ‘Event Chat’ feature. Click Here to learn more about how to navigate the virtual platform, using the 'Event Chat' feature, troubleshooting, and more.

Visit the Expo Area of Hopin
Peruse our Expo area for opportunities to network; interact with Exhibitors, Provider Expression Displays, and Youth & Young Adult Artistic Expression Displays; gather for Regional Networking Meetings; take a Dance Party break; and more.

• Visit Exhibitors - Tour virtual exhibit booths of companies and organizations that provide resources and supports to RHY Grantees. Exhibitor videos and live sessions will highlight services relevant to youth serving organizations.
• Engage with Expression Displays - Check out the displays created by RHY Grantees, youth service professionals, provider organizations, and youth and young adults (YYA) in this creative way to share stories of innovation, inspiration, effective practices, and reflection.
• Gather in Regional Networking Meetings - Grantees, here you’ll find a space for your region’s networking meetings.
• Join the Dance Party - Enjoy a dance break in this area with a continual Spotify playlist. You can collaborate with other attendees by adding songs to the playlist and keeping the party going!

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM ET

Exhibitor Live Discussions
Visit the Expo area to tour virtual exhibit booths of companies and organizations that provide resources and supports to RHY Grantees. Exhibitor videos and live sessions will highlight services relevant to youth serving organizations.

T/TA and RHY-HMIS Consultations
Abt Associates will be offering training/technical assistance (T/TA) and Runaway & Homeless Youth – Homeless Management Information System (RHY-HMIS) consultations on program and reporting needs. Questions will be answered on a first come, first served basis. To access the consultations, please visit the Abt Associates Exhibit Booth between 12:00pm - 12:30pm ET.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM ET - Plenary Session: Opening Keynote

Plenary Session: Opening Keynote

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Details coming soon!

Opening Keynote
Transforming Trauma into Trust
L.J. Punch, MD
pronouns: he/they
Bullet Related Injury Clinic Director & Trauma Surgeon

Summary
Dr. Punch will weave together the themes of gun violence, COVID, homelessness, and opioids with experiences working directly with his community and youth during the last several years of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a trained trauma surgeon, whose work has moved outside the walls of the hospital, he will speak about the power of community partnerships and how to build equitable systems of care that can address trauma and resiliency.

Materials

• Transforming Trauma into Trust Keynote Slides

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET - Break

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM ET - Workshop Session 1

Transforming Trauma into Trust

Summary

Following the keynote, Dr. Punch will engage more deeply with participants on the power of community partnerships. As a trained trauma surgeon, whose work has moved outside the walls of the hospital, he will process the impact of gun violence, COVID, homelessness, and opioids with the experiences of young people and service providers during the last several years of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify opportunities to center community power in creating transformational solutions. This workshop is asset-based and participants will leave with new connections to the strengths in themselves and their communities.

Presenter 

• L.J. Punch, MD (he/they), Bullet Related Injury Clinic Director & Trauma Surgeon

Workshop Audience Summary

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Transforming Trauma into Trust Workshop Slides

Direct Cash Transfers with and for Youth & Young Adults

Summary

This session will unpack how direct cash transfer (DCT) interventions are increasingly being considered and co-created with young people with lived expertise. This approach seeks to support safe and stable housing for young people experiencing or at risk for homelessness and with histories of foster care involvement. Individuals identifying as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and LGBTQ are disproportionately represented in these populations, as are young parents. DCT models, including “cash plus” models that combine DCTs with optional, youth-driven supportive services and programming including peer navigation, coaching and counseling in education, career development, and financial skills, are an inherently promising approach.

Presenters 

• Sarah Berger Gonzalez (she/her), Senior Policy Analyst, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
• Jha’asryel-Akquil Bishop (they/them), Co-founder, Co-CEO and VP of Streetlives

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials 

• Direct Cash Transfers with and for Youth & Young Adults Slides

Meeting the Needs of Young People Who Experience Human Trafficking: Lessons from the Field

Summary

Young people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerabilities are at higher risk of labor and sex trafficking victimization. Runaway and homeless youth (RHY) settings are uniquely positioned to identify and support young people who have experienced trafficking. It is critical to understand the dynamics of human trafficking and be prepared to provide trauma-informed care, appropriate referrals, and person-centered services to these young people. This workshop will discuss the evaluation and key findings of the Evaluation of the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking (DVHT) Program (2016-2020), and how youth-serving organizations are identifying and supporting young people who are or have been trafficked. Facilitators will provide an overview of the DVHT Program evaluation, share key findings, and offer practical strategies for organizations serving young people who have run away or who are experiencing homelessness.

Presenters

• Kate Krieger (she/her), Researcher, RTI International
• Ann Wilkinson (she/her), Director of Mentoring Services, My Life, My Choice
• Liz Langmas (she/her), Community Programs Director, J Bar J Youth Services
• Mel Parker (she/her), Project Manager, J Bar J Youth Services

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Meeting the Needs of Young People Who Experience Human Trafficking: Lessons from the Field Slides

New Findings Related to Homelessness and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Summary

This session will provide up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as information on non-COVID-19 outcomes, such as mental health outcomes, among people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. The session will include youth representation as well as speakers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Health Care for the Homeless Council.

Presenters

• Emily Mosites (she/her), Senior Advisor on Special Populations to the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Courtney Pladsen (she/her), Director of Clinical and Quality Improvement, National Health Care for the Homeless Council
• Jess Falero (they/them), Activist/Advocate, Maine People’s Housing Coalition

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• New Findings Related to Homelessness and the COVID-19 Pandemic Slides

How to Employ Critical Consciousness When Working with LGBTQ Youth

Summary

This presentation addresses the importance of youth service providers acknowledging societal and personal biases, as well as privilege when interacting and working with LGBTQ youth. Participants will explore societal impacts on LGBTQ youth, including factors that lead to at-risk behaviors, lack of social supports, and homelessness. Through group discussions participants in this workshop will learn how employing concepts of critical consciousness and trauma-informed care will improve LGBTQ youth’s experience in RHY programs, increasing the potential to improve overall well-being through providing genuinely safe spaces.

Presenters

• May Freck (she/her), Youth Empowerment Coordinator, Common Ground's Sanctuary Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter

Workshop Audience 

• People experienced with the topic (Advanced)

Materials

• How to Employ Critical Consciousness When Working with LGBTQ Youth Slides

Addressing Housing Needs for Youth Returning from Juvenile Justice Placement

Summary

Signed into law in 2008 and reauthorized in 2018, the Second Chance Act authorizes federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide reentry services and support corrections and supervision practices that aim to reduce recidivism. This session highlights how Maine’s Department of Corrections has partnered with the University of Southern Maine and Youth Advocate Program to help youth returning to the community from secure settings obtain healthy, supportive housing. Strategies and approaches utilized to address challenges in locating suitable housing and opportunities for braiding housing resources will be discussed.

Presenters

• Julia Alanen (she/her), Program Manager, Intervention Division, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• Stephanie Mercier (she/her), Director, Impact Investment, Corporation for Supportive Housing
• Derek Wentorf (he/him), Senior Program Manager, Corporation for Supportive Housing
• Sonja Morse (she/her), Juvenile Data and Research Manager, Department of Corrections
• Erica King (she/her), Senior Justice Policy Associate, University of Southern Maine
• Cassy Blakely (she/her), TTA Consultant Coordinator, Corrections and Community Engagement Technical Assistance Center, American Institutes for Research

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Addressing Housing Needs for Youth Returning from Juvenile Justice Placement Slides

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM ET - Break

4:15 PM - 5:30 PM ET - Workshop Session 2

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

Summary

Tune into the importance of emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Connecting with colleagues and employees on a genuine level is a direct result of high emotional intelligence and leads to better working relationships and improved leadership skills. Find out how self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills influence the way people handle themselves and their relationships.

Presenters

• John Amato (he/him), Director of Training & Consultation Services, Familylinks, Inc.

Workshop Audience

• People new to the topic (Introductory)

Materials

• Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Slides

Best Practices Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Higher Education

Summary

The presentation will start with a brief introduction to youth homelessness, statistics, and the importance of higher education. This session will address barriers students face transitioning to higher education. These barriers were learned through working with the SchoolHouse Connection Scholar Program. Two scholars of the program will be joining the session to share their experiences. Best practices will be shared to support youth experiencing homelessness in response to these barriers. The session will conclude with sharing resources and Q&A.

Presenters

• Jillian Sitjar (she/her), Senior Higher Education Program Manager, SchoolHouse Connection
• Lorinda Ruz (she/her), Culture and Politics Student 
• Christian Alexander (he/him), Mechanical Engineering Student

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Best Practices Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Higher Education Slides

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Youth Homelessness, and Human Trafficking: Connecting the Dots

Summary

Research highlights the link between adverse childhood experiences, youth homelessness, and human trafficking. Childhood trauma has a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration. A study shows that youth who were homeless and trafficked were far more likely to have a high number of adverse childhood experiences compared to their peers. Young people who experience housing insecurity and high levels of traumatic situations are at higher risk of injury, mental health problems, teen pregnancy, violence, and involvement in human trafficking incidents.

This workshop will discuss the latest research and findings related to ACEs, human trafficking, and youth homelessness. It will provide practical strategies and recommendations for early identification and prevention.

Presenters 

• Eric R. Wright, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Public Health and Chair of the Sociology Department, Georgia State University
• Ana Cody (she/her), Human Trafficking Advisor, Family and Youth Services Bureau

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Adverse Childhood Experiences, Youth Homelessness, and Human Trafficking: Connecting the Dots Slides

Advocacy is Service: A Provider’s Role in System Change

Summary

Participants will have the opportunity to consider new ways they can serve their clients, not through adjustments to service delivery, but through advocacy. Many service providers hesitate to involve themselves in advocacy because of nonprofit laws, public perception, and capacity. In this session, participants will learn what activities are allowable and not allowable under the law, discover and explore the policies that are presenting systemic and legal barriers to client success, and begin to formulate strategies to advocate with and on behalf of their clients for the removal of barriers. Special emphasis on policies impacting LGBTQ+ youth will be included.

Presenters

• Dylan Waguespack (he/they), Public Policy and External Affairs Director, True Colors United
• Brandy Ryan (she/her), Staff Attorney, National Homelessness Law Center

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Advocacy is Service: A Provider’s Role in System Change Slides

How to Have “the Talk” with LGBTQ+ Youth: A Panel Discussion on the Intersection of Sexual Health and Homelessness

Summary

This session will explore the strengths and needs of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the area of sexual health. Join us for a multigenerational conversation grounded in lived expertise, which will highlight current trends, evidence-based practices, and emerging strategies in holistic sexual health, pregnancy prevention, harm reduction, and life skills development.

Presenter

• Diamond Dumas (she/her), Training & Capacity Building Associate, Youth Collaboratory
• Kendan Elliott (he/they), Training & Capacity-Building Manager, Youth Collaboratory
• Bellis Furlin (she/her), Consultant, Youth Catalyst Team, Youth Collaboratory
• Maddox Guerilla (he/him, they/them), Youth Catalyst Team, Youth Collaboratory

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• How to Have “the Talk” with LGBTQ+ Youth: A Panel Discussion on the Intersection of Sexual Health and Homelessness Slides

Understanding RHY-HMIS: A Closer Look at the Data

Summary

This workshop will deepen understanding of the RHY-HMIS data and will highlight trends in the data quality to include strengths and gaps in the quality and recommendations on how to improve your data quality. Resources for the updated data standards will be shared and changes to the data standards will be highlighted. Finally, understanding the challenges of reporting data when it is impacted by quality will be shared along with some of the RHY-HMIS data.

Presenter

• Resa Matthew (she/her), Director, Division of Evaluation, Data and Policy, Family and Youth Services Bureau
• Lori Hunter (she/her), Project Director, Abt Associates
• Gloria Watkins (she/her), RHY-HMIS Coordinator, Family and Youth Services Bureau

Workshop Audience

• Everyone (All levels of knowledge)

Materials

• Understanding RHY-HMIS: A Closer Look at the Data Slides

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM ET

T/TA and RHY-HMIS Consultations
Abt Associates will be offering training/technical assistance (T/TA) and Runaway & Homeless Youth – Homeless Management Information System (RHY-HMIS) consultations on program and reporting needs. Questions will be answered on a first come, first served basis. To access the consultations, please visit the Abt Associates Exhibit Booth between 4:30pm - 6:30pm ET.

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET - Break

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET

Regional Networking Meetings (RHY Grantees only)
Grantees, please go to the Expo Area of Hopin to attend your Regional Networking Meeting at the designated time. The following regions are meeting Tuesday, November 16:

• Region VII - MO, IA, NE, KS
• Region IX - CA, NV, AZ, HI, AS, Mariana, Micronesia, Guam, Palau, Marshall I
• Region X - AK, WA, OR ID

Explore Day Two Activities 

Explore Day Three Activities