Intensive Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Training​

Housing Innovations Trainers
Suzanne Wagner, MS, LMSW
​Andrea White, MS, LMSW
The Critical Time Intervention (CTI) intensive training consists of 6 training sessions (2 hours each), given by Housing Innovations, a leader in training clinicians in evidence-based psychosocial interventions that improve housing and health for individuals who have experienced homelessness.

​Trainings (outlined below) are presented by live videoconference and include a combination of lectures, small and large group discussions and break out groups. The trainings intend to increase skills and competencies among case managers at GPD case management grantee programs, which in turn can improve quality of care, health and housing outcomes, and care experiences for homeless-experienced Veterans. 
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

We are pleased to offer CEUs for attending the live CTI trainings. The following are requirements from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in order to receive CEUs for this training series:

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​Current Wave 2 Intensive CTI Training Information
Held from October 12th, 2022 until November 16th, 2022
Wave 2 Session Descriptions
Session One
This session provides an overview of the practice of CTI with a focus on the core elements of the practice and what distinguishes it as a model from other case management approaches.  The session reviews the connection between CTI and housing stability and the transition process and resources needed to achieve stability.  The Phases of CTI and CTI-informed modifications to the assessment and planning processes are introduced.  
Session Two
The second session of the CTI series is focused on building the housing stabilization plan. This includes connecting Veterans’ personal short- and long-term goals to the planning process to increase motivation and likelihood of attainment.  Identifying and connecting with a network of care to support the achievement of the goals in the plan will be reviewed.  The session concludes with a discussion of the Pre-CTI Phase of the practice and the use of warm handoffs to bridge Pre-CTI and Phase One.  
Session Three
​Session three is focused on Phases 1-3 of CTI, once Veterans have moved into housing. This discussion of the phases includes the different staff roles, frequency of contact, tasks and focus in each phase.  Techniques to help Veterans develop skills in managing resources and attaining goals and housing stability are reviewed.  Small group discussions allow deeper dives into each of the Phases.  
Session Four
Session four is focused on the critical partnership between landlords, service staff and Veterans.  The session will discuss how to use the structure of the lease, coordination with landlords and a focus on building tenancy skills to improve housing stability. Mechanisms for coordination with landlords to prevent eviction will be reviewed and participants will have an opportunity to practice developing a harm reduction plan for eviction prevention with Veterans.  
Session Five
​Session five focuses on implementing CTI in your program and reviews implementation models, organizational supports needed, and tools and sample forms that support integration of the CTI practice.  The use of team supervision forms and the CTI fidelity scale will be highlighted.   Action planning discussions will provide opportunities for participants to identify program-specific strategies and approaches to implementation post-training.  
Session Six
The Education Unit of the National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV) will provide an overview of VA homeless services, encompassing the breadth of VA health and social services for Veterans with homeless experiences. ​

​Previous Wave 1 Intensive CTI Training Webinars and Slides

While we encourage live participation in the current Intensive CTI Training sessions, the below sessions were recorded during the previous training wave (January -February 2022) and are available to you for review, or to share with new staff.
Session One
  • Overview of the CTI model
  • Evidence for the CTI model'CTI and the GPD Case Management Aftercare Grantee Program
  • CTI core practices
    • Assessment domains for CTI
    • Housing stabilization / service planning
    • Goal identification and increasing motivation
    • Linking to resources
  • ​The links between CTI and housing stability
Session Two
  • ​​Assessment domains for CTI and risk factors for housing instability
  • Developing the housing stabilization/service plan
    • Tools to build motivation
  • Linking to community resources and developing a network of care
    • Individual resource guide tool
Session Three
  • Phases of CTI: Case manager tasks and roles
    • Pre-CTI: Housing planning phase
    • Phase One: Transition to the community
    • Phase Two: Try out
    • Phase Three: Step down and termination
      • CTI closing meetings, warm handoffs and transfer of care
Session Four
  • Case studies/discussions
  • Coordination with property managers in housing retention and eviction prevention
  • Harm reduction strategies for eviction prevention
Session Five: Supervisors Session
(Geared towards supervisors, ALL are invited):
  • Introductions and reflections on the CTI model
  • Practice shifts in CTI
  • Fidelity to the model
    • Implementation Self-Assessment Tool
  • Supports for CTI implementation
    • Forms: Assessments, Plans, Caseload Tracking Tool, Team Supervision Template, Sample Progress and Closing Notes
  • Supervision framework, tasks and tools
Session Six: ​VA Homeless 101 Programs Overview 
(Intended for ALL participants)
  • The Education Unit of the National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV) will provide an overview of VA homeless services, encompassing the breadth of VA health and social services for Veterans with homeless experiences. ​
​Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

We are pleased to offer CEUs for attending the live CTI trainings. The following are requirements from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in order to receive CEUs for this training series:

  1. Participants must attend all of the first four training sessions live to receive their certificate for a total of 8 CEUs (attendance is tracked on Zoom, which automatically lists each participants entry and exit time). 
  2. Participants should be on time for each presentation. 
  3. Cameras should be kept on for participants
  4. Participants must complete a post-program summary evaluation after the Feb 1st session (this will be provided to participants on the date of the last session)

We will also provide, separately, 2 CEUs for the 5th training session (geared towards supervisors, available to ALL)

If you would like to receive CEUs for the trainings, please email Jenny.Barnard@va.gov with the following information:
  • Name
  • Phone number
  • E-mail address      
​QUERI-VISN Partnered Implementation Initiative (PII) 21-285
Principal Investigators: Drs. Sonya Gabrielian, Kristina Cordasco, Erin Finley
Last update:      March 2023