Disrupting the Institutional Circuit: Partnering with the Department of Corrections to End Homelessness Learning from Pathways Vermont’s partnership with the Vermont DOC

An Interactive Online Workshop

In this workshop, we’ll talk about how we utilize Housing First values to build a synergetic partnership with the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC), a practice we think can be replicated. Through this ever evolving partnership, we support people leaving incarceration to re-acclimate to independent living and reintegrate into their communities, including building (and sometimes reconnecting with) natural supports.

We’ll discuss common challenges people face when leaving incarceration and reintegrating into the community, including the impact of institutionalization on mental health and the importance of balancing personal autonomy with accountability to one’s community. Through the power of human connection and mutual relationships between Pathways, DOC, and the individual, we are able to build genuine, dynamic relationships that are transformative for all of us.

Participants will explore:

• Building mutual relationships when there are power imbalances
• Navigating differing worldviews and experiences in relationships
• Negotiating boundaries that allow shared experience, connection, collaboration, and community integration
• Investigating fears about recidivism and community safety
• How to harness the power of lived experience
• Restoring dignity and reducing shame
• Lessons learned during the pandemic

Audience:

• Service providers working in a Housing First or transitional housing program
• Service providers/agencies wanting to partner with corrections to end homelessness
• Service providers and community members who want to provide better support to folks leaving incarceration
• Family and friends of people who are / have been incarcerated
• People with lived experience of incarceration

This workshop will be hosted on zoom. Joining information will be shared with registered participants prior to the training.

Tickets for this training are $75 per person. If this amount is a barrier to your attendance, please contact [email protected] to explore possibilities.

Click here or follow this link to register: https://pathwaysvermont.ticketspice.com/disrupting-the-institutional-circuit-5-24-23