Who should be assessed with the VI-SPDAT? - Homeless …



Master Assessor MaterialsCEA-BHRS Policies and Procedures Highlight: Housing AssessmentMessaging: Introducing the Housing Assessment & Explaining Results Infographics & Charts: Housing Assessor Checklist & Do’s & Don’ts VI-SPDAT Assessor Tips & TricksVI-SPDAT Role Play ActivitiesRole Play Activities: How to Address Common VI-SPDAT ChallengesScreening and Match Initiation Consent FormVI-SPDAT Singles- annotated with hints/tipsVI-SPDAT Singles VI-SPDAT Assessment Job Aide: Simplifying & Clarifying QuestionsHousing Assessment PowerpointHousing Assessor Knowledge Check CEA-BHRS Policies & Procedures Highlights: Housing Assessment What is included in the CEA-BHRS Housing Assessment?The Vulnerability Index- Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT)A program/project eligibility screening A set of questions around housing needs and preferences What is the VI-SPDAT?The Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), is a pre-screening, or triage tool used to quickly assess the health and social needs of people experiencing homelessness and help match them with the most appropriate support and housing interventions that are available. Because the VI-SPDAT examines current vulnerability and future housing stability factors, it helps inform the type of support and housing intervention that may be most beneficial for a household experiencing homelessness. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of each person’s needs. There are three population specific versions of the VI-SPDAT:VI-SPDAT for Single Adults (for single adults ages 25 years of age or older) VI-SPDAT for Families (for households who have at least one child under the age of 18)TAY-VI-SPDAT for Youth (for individuals between 18-24 years old)Who should be assessed with the VI-SPDAT?The VI-SPDAT is an assessment of vulnerability for people who are literally homeless, and should only be used for people who are literally homeless and who do not already have a VI-SPDAT in the HMIS system that was conducted in the past year. When and where to do the Housing AssessmentIn a safe haven or emergency shelter* wait one week after entry into the program, conduct during case management meeting, not during program intake In a place not meant for human habitation, including a car, park, on the street, etc. conduct as soon as possibleThe Housing Assessment should only be conducted once per year (if the household is still experiencing homelessness) and/or when there are changes in the household’s situation.* Please Note: For safe havens and emergency shelters funded by the Department of Behavioral Health (including Journey of Hope programs), assessors should use professional judgment to determine the appropriate time to administer Phase II.CEA- BHRS Infographics and Charts How to administer the VI-SPDAT: Do’s & Don’ts Do ensure the client has completed a consent form prior to the assessment Do explain what the survey does.Do provide clarification when requested.Do encourage people to be honest.Take breaks, when needed (doesn’t need to be done in one sitting)Demonstrate empathy Don’t complete a survey without informed consent of the clientDon’t complete the survey by observationDon’t tell people there is a score (number) Don’t lead people to believe there is a waiting listPromise anything as a result of the surveyChange wording or scoringChange the order of questions 851535123825Housing Assessor Checklist00Housing Assessor Checklist101379807444Messaging: Introducing the Housing Assessment & Explaining ResultsIt is important to be clear about the benefits to participating in the survey in order to encourage people to participate, but it is equally important to make sure that individuals understand that participating does not guarantee housing placement. We have provided a script below to emphasize both aspects of this message. To ensure standardization, it is important that all assessors read the script in its entirety. Introductory Script:This next set of questions is about understanding your housing and service needs. More specifically, it helps us figure out the best type of housing to meet those needs. If you choose to answer these questions, it should take about 20-30 minutes to complete and we can take a break at any time. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, so please be as honest as you can. Honest, accurate answers are important to help us identify the right services for you. While your answers may help match you with housing resources, I want to be clear that participation in this screening does not guarantee that you will be eligible for or admitted into a housing program. If we can refer you to a housing program based on the information in this survey, that program will still need to verify all eligibility informationSome of the survey questions are personal in nature, but they only require a Yes/No or one-word answer. I really only need that one word answer. You don’t need to give more detail. You can also skip or refuse to answer any question. Skipping multiple questions may make it harder for us to identify services for you, but it is your right to refuse to answer questions you don’t feel comfortable with. If you do not understand a question I can clarify. Please feel free to stop me and ask questions at any time. Participation in this survey is completely voluntary. No one will be upset or angry if you decide not to be interviewed today. ?If you choose to participate, your responses will be entered into a secure database that only authorized can access and shared to help match you to housing resources. Before I get started, I do need you to sign this consent form. After completing the Housing Assessment (suggested, not required talking points): Thank you for answering those questions. Based on your answers, I can see here that you are eligible for as many as X housing programs or projects in Philadelphia. It also indicates that housing program that’s the best fit for you is: As I mentioned before, completing this assessment isn’t adoesn’t guarantee of housing placement,, but it will help us understand if you would be a good fit for one of the three different types of housing programs available through the homeless services system. These include Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid-Rehousing, or Transitional Housing. and honestly, Philadelphia homeless services doesn’t have enough housing resources to house everyone in our system. Because of these limited resources, it’s really important that you and I keep working together to help you reach your housing goals through a range of different avenues. We have to be thinking outside of the box. VI-SPDAT Assessor Tips and TricksThe participant must sign a consent form before completing the VI-SPDAT. If the individual refuses to complete the VI-SPDAT, assessors should still indicate that the participant refused to sign the consent. Those who refuse to consent on 3 separate occasions may be referred through the flag review process. Pre-introduce the opening script. While it is important to read the entire opening script, it may be awkward or even distance you from your client who you have already developed a relationship with. To minimize this effect, let the participant know that you will be reading from a script before you begin. Stick to the script! Remember that the VI-SPDAT has been fully tested and the wording and order of the questions is deliberate. Please don’t deviate from the questions. However, you should…Clarify and explain. The primary goal is to ensure that the tool accurately reflects a person’s vulnerability index. As the assessor, you can help if the person is confused or needs clarification. Be encouraging, but do not be not be disappointed if the respondent doesn’t want to be surveyed. Negative experiences with past services may cause the respondent to be distrustful. The best way to reverse this mistrust is to respect their boundaries. Do not make any promises. Though you may be trying to be helpful, false promises will only add to their distrust and disinterest with future engagements. Do not manipulate responses/scores. Major eligibility criteria are officially verified later so it does not benefit the respondent to be dishonest. Do not volunteer the score or the scoring process. While it’s important to have a triage tool, we know that no one likes to be referred to as a number. “Yes” and “No” Answers are fine, ideal even. Avoid Follow-up Questions. Respondents do not need to explain themselves. In fact, some questions are intentionally vague to protect respondents from having to provide detailed responses. You can explain questions if further clarification is needed, but try to keep the conversation short and clear to respect their time. Make note of items you may want to come back to, but allow engagement/case management to happen separate from the survey itself. Put dates in context. For any question that asks a date range, count backward to the first date – so if today is January 1, 2015 and the questions asks “in the last 6 months,” say in “in the last 6 months…December, November, October, September, August, July. So since July 2014 …” Also, for any question that states “anything like that,” add an intentional pause between “or anything (pause) like (pause) that” to help emphasize that you have read a list. Be prepared to explain why questions seem excessively formal, wordy, or personal. If a respondent finds a question offensive or is frustrated by the length, please explain that each question will help to avoid some inappropriate referrals and hopefully save them time in the long run. For other questions that are obvious or that you’ve previously discussed, you may explain that you want to give them the ability to speak for themselves. Practice. As you become more comfortable with the survey, you should notice a gradual reduction in the amount of time it takes to complete.VI-SPDAT Role Play ActivitiesOn its face, the VI-SPDAT is a simply a set of Yes or No questions. However, working with people is never simple, and direct service frequently involves finding creative ways to support our program participants. Your primary goal as housing assessors is to ensure that each participant’s VI-SPDAT score is the most accurate reflection of his or her household’s vulnerability… and the participant may not always make it easy to meet that goal. We have identified 4 common challenges associated with conducting the VI-SPDAT and developed four characters to allow assessors to practice finding creative ways to overcome those challenges. Any successful role play activity should follow three basic steps: Tell, Show, Do. Step 1: Tell (options include doing the Housing Assessor Power point, playing a video, briefly reviewing the Tips & Tricks handout) Step 2: Show (demonstrate one of the role plays for the rest of your staff)Step 3: Do (split up and practice doing the role plays in groups of 2-3) Challenge 1: The 10-minute interview that takes an hour Jeanine is accustomed to people on the street avoiding engagement with her, so she is thrilled that you as an assessor are interested in her story. For every question, she wants to answer more than just “yes” or “no.” For instance, during the first couple weeks she lived on the street, she was attacked and ended up in the hospital for a several months. Despite the fact that she swears she was the victim, the other person in the fight asserted that she was the aggressor, and she is facing an assault charge. Challenge 2: Getting stuck at consent Jack intensely mistrusts authority, and he is very hesitant to answer any questions that might allow people in the federal government to “track him down” at a later date. When presented with the VI-SPDAT and asked to sign the consent, he has lots and lots of questions about the implications. As the assessor, you are charged with making the case to Jack to complete the VI-SPDAT. Challenge 3: Ability to understand the questions Julian is originally from El Salvador, and while he speaks English fluently, he is struggling to follow the lengthy questions with the long lists of examples. In particular, he needs help understanding questions #4d, #4e, #10, #11, & #14 [If Julian is part of a family, he needs help understanding questions #13, 14, 15, 37, & 41]. Challenge 4: Offended & refusing to answer Heaven and her 2 daughters have been sent to multiple places that were supposed to “help” her, and now that she’s in a shelter, she’s sick and tired of people who don’t know her asking all kinds of personal information about her and her 2 daughters. In particular, she can’t believe that anyone would ask her about questions #11, 12 or 13 AND #39 or #40. Role Play Activities: How to Address Common VI-SPDAT Challenges (Guide for facilitators)Challenge 1: The 10-minute interview that takes an hour Recommended Talking Points Remember that I just need yes/no answers for today. This seems like a more involved conversation. I’m going to make a note to revisit this at our next case management meeting. Challenge 2: Getting stuck at consent Recommended Talking Points The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand more about you and your families housing needs to match you to housing resources. This is our best opportunity for getting you matched with housing. I want to be clear that your information is confidential and will only be shared with homeless services agencies, all of whom are in a position to help you find resources and housing.Just because you consent to do this survey doesn’t mean that you need to answer all the questions. You can choose to skip any questions that make you uncomfortable. Challenge 3: Ability to understand the questions Recommended Talking Points Some of these questions are really long and wordy. I have a hard time following some of them. If you don’t understand, please do not be embarrassed to ask me to repeat or explain any questions. You answered this question, but you seemed a little hesitant or unsure. Do you need me to repeat the question or explain anything? I want to make sure that we get the right answer, so we can match you to the best housing for you.(If the participant gives inaccurate information): I thought I remember you telling me that you had to call the intimate partner hotline before you moved out of your house. Am I misremembering? Challenge 4: Offended & refusing to answer Recommended Talking Points The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand more about you and your family’s housing needs to match you to housing resources. This is our best opportunity for getting you matched with housing. I know you feel like you have to answer personal questions all the time. This housing assessment is a little different in that all of these questions are focused on connecting you to the most appropriate housing options for you. I know that no one likes having to share all their dirty laundry. Keep in mind that these are just yes or no questions. You don’t have to give me details. In fact, I really only need one word answers. You can choose to skip questions at any time. You can choose to pause and come back to these questions at any time. VI-SPDAT Assessment Job AidSimplifying and Clarifying Questions-158752427605If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by rephrasing the question? 020000If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by rephrasing the question? 3613785722630Simplified question Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky? 00Simplified question Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky? 2520315126809400-358140722630Original questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that? 00Original questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that? If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer simplify the question? 2598420689800400267462041738540036137856084570Expanded question In the past 6 months, how many times have you talked to police because you witnessed a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times were you the victim of a crime? In the past 6 months how many times were you the alleged perpetrator of a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times did police tell you that you must move along? 00Expanded question In the past 6 months, how many times have you talked to police because you witnessed a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times were you the victim of a crime? In the past 6 months how many times were you the alleged perpetrator of a crime? In the past 6 months, how many times did police tell you that you must move along? -819156084570Original questionIn the past 6 months, how many times have you… talked to police because you witnessed a crime, were the victim of a crime, or the alleged perpetrator of a crime, or because the police told you that you must move along? 00Original questionIn the past 6 months, how many times have you… talked to police because you witnessed a crime, were the victim of a crime, or the alleged perpetrator of a crime, or because the police told you that you must move along? -158755402580If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by expanding the question? 020000If they seem confused or overwhelmed by a question, how can the interviewer clarify by expanding the question? 37280853427730Reframed/rephrased questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky—for instance, exchanging sex for money, running drugs for someone, having unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, sharing a needle, or anything like that?00Reframed/rephrased questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky—for instance, exchanging sex for money, running drugs for someone, having unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, sharing a needle, or anything like that?-1581153316605Original questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that? 00Original questionDo you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like exchange sex for money, run drugs for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know, share a needle, or anything like that? ................
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