—by Paul M. Kubek
In an effort to increase housing stability among people with mental illness, addiction, and co-occurring disorders, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has teamed up with the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ to host an important one-day training event for owners, operators, and staff members of adult-care facilities throughout the state.
The event, titled "Motivating Residents for Housing Success," takes place on 15 dates (January to August) in 8 cities throughout Ohio (Akron, Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Portsmouth, Toledo). The training will equip providers of housing services with skills to help residents consider and embark upon behavioral changes that promote housing stability. The training will teach participants concepts and techniques for assessing stages of behavior change among residents and for engaging in self-reflection, active listening, and conversations that minimize resistance to change and maximize opportunities for personal transformation (see "Current Events" below).
Some learning objectives for this training include the following:
- Understand stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance)
- Explain how behavioral health symptoms can be a potential risk to stable housing
- Recognize common barriers to effective conversations about change
- Utilize effective listening and communication skills to support and promote change
- Develop conversational techniques for identifying goals, wants, and needs common among residents and providers of housing services (common/shared focus)
- Practice giving information and advice to each resident that is consistent with the person's choices (person-centered interactions)
Importance of housing stability for recovery
Stable housing gives people with mental illness, addiction, and co-occurring disorders a foundation to succeed in recovery. There are many issues that might challenge someone's housing stability (e.g., symptoms, interpersonal conflicts, hoarding, not following rules). The way housing providers respond to and interact with residents can positively influence their future success. The Center for Evidence-Based Practices has developed training and consulting methods and educational tools to help providers of housing services learn to do the following:
- Build self-awareness about your attitudes, thoughts, and communication style as you conduct your work
- Keep your attention centered on residents
- Encourage each resident’s motivation to change
Learn more about our training and consulting approach for housing services.
Tools to promote housing stability
Printed copies and free PDFs available. / Some recommended Housing resources produced by the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).