New program will train 30 people for work at homeless, family violence shelters

The Manitoba government is spending $450,000 on a pilot project at Red River College Polytechnic that will train people for work at domestic violence and homeless shelters to address low staff numbers.

The shelter support foundations program will help shelters dealing with what Rochelle Squires, the provincial cabinet minister responsible for the status of women, called unprecedented staffing challenges.

"We really wanted to come out with a program that would not only get people into the sector to ensure that those supports are ongoing, but we also wanted to play a role in helping these individuals obtain the skills and do it in a way that reduces barriers," Squires said.

The one-year contribution agreement with the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters will help develop the pilot project and deliver it to 30 students.

The curriculum will be developed by Red River College Polytechnic as one of the college's micro-credential programs, which are developed with industry professionals to address a targeted skill gap.

Both MAWS and End Homelessness Winnipeg will provide guidance in the creation of the curriculum.

Short-staffed shelters a 'historical problem'

Shelters "have struggled with staff shortages and retaining qualified long-term applicants for a long time, and part of that reason is just the historical lack of adequate training," Amrita Chavan, a spokesperson for MAWS said.

The curriculum will be trauma-informed and mindful of the intersectionality oflived experiences thatshelter residents mighthave.

Students will be trained for entry-level shelter positions, learning skills such as effective communication in crisis situations and use of conflict resolution skills to solve complex problems.

"Understanding how different life experiences can intersect to compound other existing problems like violence or homelessness or, you know, discrimination, racism, transphobia, homophobia and so on are pretty important training needs," Chavan said.

The COVID-19 pandemicintensifiedchallenges shelters face in attracting and retaining staff. Front-line shelter staff, who provide what Chavan says is life-saving care, are overworked and burnt out, all while responding to a large increase in calls about domestic violence.

People experiencing domestic violence were cut off from community supportbecause of the pandemic. It was "the perfect storm for abusive situations", Chavan said, because home is not the safest place for everyone.

Jill Latschislaw from RRC says that students will be taught foundational skills necessary to be a shelter support worker, and then can go on to specialize in either women's shelters or homeless shelters. They will also complete a project that will have them apply their new skills to a shelter of interest.

"We really do believe the program will translate into more effective skills to support Manitobans in need," Latschislaw said.