Transition Housing Programs are unique environments, with most entailing communal living environments with women, youth an children who may be in the midst of, or overcoming, crises. This course explores the basics of transition house work and offers an opportunity to remember and rethink our practices in relation to the goals of our work with other advocates facing similar challenges.  

Pre-requisite: Foundations in Violence Against Women v2.0

Full member fee: $60.00 CDN
Associate Member fee: $90.00 CDN

 Non-member fee: $125.00 CDN


Instructor

BC Society of Transition Houses

The BC Society of Transition Houses develops and delivers online and in-person training tailored to the needs of anti-violence workers who work directly with women, children and youth experiencing violence.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

  • 2

    Unit 1: A Framework for Working in Transition Houses

    • Learning Objectives

    • Exploring Our Values: Why It’s Important

    • Take a Look

    • Understanding Feminist Principles that Guide Our Practice

    • Key Approaches That Support A Feminist Framework

    • Women's Transition Housing and Supports Program Framework

    • Self Reflection

    • Ethical Practice

    • Ethical Guidelines for Feminist Workers

    • Self Reflection

    • Beyond the Ethical Standards

    • Self Reflection

    • Quiz
  • 3

    Unit 2: Getting to the Core of What We Do

    • Learning Objectives

    • "More Than a Bed"

    • Core Services Provided by Transition Houses

    • Initial Contact Services

    • Safety Planning Around Phone Use

    • Quiz

    • Risk Assessment

    • Take a Look

    • Safety Planning

    • Take a Look

    • When a Woman Calls

    • Meeting Immediate Needs

    • Eligibility

    • Take a Look

    • Limitations of Communal Living

    • Food for Thought

    • Intake Process

    • Meet Her Where She Is At

    • Take a Look
  • 4

    Unit 3: Communication Skills

    • Learning Objectives

    • Encouraging Conversation

    • Self-reflection

    • Active Listening

    • Paraphrasing

    • Reflecting Feelings

    • Empathy vs. Sympathy

    • Being Empathic

    • Reframing

    • Summaries

    • Using Questions

    • Silence

    • Summary of Active Listening Skills

    • Reflection
  • 5

    Unit 4: Crisis Response and Advocacy

    • Learning Objectives

    • Understanding Crisis

    • Normal Responses to Experiences of Violence

    • Creating Safety

    • Responding to Disclosures

    • Containment

    • Honouring Women’s Resistance

    • Reflection

    • Advocacy

    • Community Coordination

    • Take a Look

    • Other Services and Resources for Women
  • 6

    Unit 5: Communal Living Guidelines

    • Learning Objectives

    • Thinking about our "House Guidelines"

    • Questioning Our Practices

    • Self Reflection

    • Structure of Power within Transition Houses

    • Case Study

    • Putting It Into Practice

    • Conflict Resolution and Education

    • Take a Look

    • Guidelines for Living Together

    • Take a Look
  • 7

    Unit 6: Supporting Women with Varying Levels of Mental Wellness and Substance Use in Transition House Programs

    • Learning Objectives

    • Barriers to Service for Women with Varying Levels of Mental Wellness and Substance Use

    • Addressing Transition Housing Staff Concerns

    • Implications for Policies and Practices

    • Personal Reflection

    • Supporting Older Women

    • Ways to Support Older Women

    • Supporting Women with Pets

    • Strategies for Accommodating Pets
  • 8

    Unit 7: Supporting Women who are Mothers in Transition Housing Programs

    • Learning Objectives

    • Mothering in the Context of Violence Against Women

    • Against What Standard?

    • Staff Perceptions of Mothering

    • Personal Reflection

    • Supporting Around Parenting

    • Talking to Mothers Who Have Experienced Violence

    • Helping Mothers Fleeing Violence to Use Positive Discipline

    • Repairing the Mother Child Relationship

    • Personal Reflection

    • Supporting Women Involved with MCFD

    • Children and Youth’s Responses to the Violence their Mother has Endured

    • Reflections
  • 9

    Unit 8: Record Keeping

    • Learning Objectives

    • What are Records?

    • About Record Keeping

    • Guidelines for Recording Personal Information

    • Take a Look

    • Record Guidelines

    • Information from a Third Party

    • Quiz

    • Record Management

    • Online Databases

    • Case Notes

    • Take a Look

    • Case Study

    • Case Study: Questions

    • Sample Forms

    • Take a Look
  • 10

    Unit 9: Creating Supportive Environments for Advocates

    • Learning Objectives

    • Supporting Each Other

    • Creating Cultures of Collective Accountability

    • Resisting Slippage Into Burnout

    • Ways to Develop Your Communication Strategies

    • Personal Reflection
  • 11

    Course Feedback

    • Course Feedback