Targeted to school building and district staff working with students experiencing homelessness and community-based organizations which provide housing and Diversion supports. This training is designed to provide an introductory overview of Diversion, a person-centered approach focused on holding creative conversation to uncover solutions alongside those experiencing housing crisis. In this training, participants review key components of Diversion, the importance of its rootedness in race equity, and explore how this approach can be an asset to school/housing partnerships. Hear from McKinney-Vento staff and learn how Diversion has been utilized specifically in school districts to bring housing resources to students and families. Guest Speakers: Anjali Riddick, Prevention and Diversion Training Manager, A Way Home Washington. Echo Abernathy, Foster Care & McKinney-Vento Liaison, Bethel School District; Dani Stanford, Foster Care and McKinney-Vento Liaison, Bethel School District. Presenters: Dimitri Groce, Senior Manager, Grantmaking and Capacity Building, Building Changes; Kayla Blau, writer and youth advocate; Joey Heilman, Education Strategy Specialist, Building Changes; and Samie Iverson, Senior Manager of Education Strategy, Building Changes.
This training was recorded on October 6, 2022 and is part of Building Changes’ Response to Student Homelessness Training Series created in partnership with the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).