Online Workshop

OW Directives and SAMS Training: Family Violence and Refugee Sponsorship Support: Calculating Assistance


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Family standing arm in arm

About this Online Workshop

In this workshop, participants will focus on the Directives and Clearinghouses related to eligibility criteria of cases deemed as sponsored and obligations of sponsorship support. We will examine other eligibility criteria for Refugee Claimants, the Participation Requirements and Residency Requirements, and will: 

  • Focus on eligibility for Victims of Family Violence, processes to notify sponsor without further risk or harm to recipients 
  • Assess CHPI funded emergency shelters – calculating the assistance 
  • Examine eligibility for persons in Interval and Transition Homes – calculating Personal Needs Allowance 
  • Examine Absent Spousal declarations where prospect of reconciliation is unlikely 
  • Look at support requirements 
  • Understand the role of Translations Services and necessary form signatures 
  • Focus on Stability Supports and the role of interpreters and immigrant/new citizen services  

NOTE: This is an interactive, virtual workshop, which is different from a webinar. Participants will be expected to participate through voice and video, and to engage with each other and the facilitators in large and small group discussions, to learn from each other and practice skill development.


Who Should Attend?

  • Any Ontario Works front-line and management staff

  • Staff whose role requires knowledge of OW directives


Format and Duration

Two, three-hour online workshops over back-to-back days.


Workshop Dates and Registration

All sessions in Eastern Standard Time.

There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this workshop. If you would like to enquire about bringing this virtual workshop to your organization or staff, please email education@omssa.com.

Pricing

  • Members: $395 + HST

  • Non-Members: $515 + HST

Technical Requirements

OMSSA will be hosting this virtual workshop using Zoom, an online, interactive platform that you can join straight from your web browser, or by downloading 'Zoom Client for Meetings' on your computer or tablet

Participants will be expected to join the workshop via both video and audio. Participants should therefore have access to a desktop computer, laptop computer or tablet with:

  • a webcam or built-in camera

  • a built-in microphone or a headphone jack where you can plug in a headset or earphones

We strongly recommend that participants use a headset or earphones with a built-in microphone in order to limit background noise. 

System requirements: Click here for more detailed information on system requirements from Zoom.

IMPORTANT!

Participants must be able to access the SA Extranet site during this training in order to navigate Directives, Legislation and Clearinghouse.

About the Facilitators

Kirby Steinhoff has been in the employment and social services field for over 10 years, starting as a frontline crisis counsellor in a domestic violence shelter transitioning to Ontario Works case management with Norfolk County and is currently employed with Halton Region as an Integrated Case Manager. Kirby has worked as a trainer and policy developer within Halton Region and is considered a subject matter expert and has trained both front-line and supervisory staff on various SAMS modules and directives, while with Halton Region.

Kirby has completed an Undergraduate degree from Western University in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research, a diploma in Human Resources from Fanshawe College and Master of Arts in Labour Studies from McMaster University with research focused on social policy, inclusion and contemporary work. 


David Thomas, social assistance trainer for OMSSA has been involved in the area of policy development and training for over 15 years. He worked for the Region of Durham in policy and research until 2017 and is now an independent consultant supporting municipalities in training, change management policy development, and human services integration. Many of OMSSA's members know David from past years employed by OMSSA as a social assistance trainer and Manager of Consulting and Training. David's networking with our members has continued to build superior working relationships over the decades and David continues to develop and facilitate curriculum for OMSSA. Prior to David's policy and training development he worked several years as a Caseworker and Employment Supervisor throughout the 1980s. David has a degree in Adult Education, a diploma in Social Services and is currently working on his Master's of Education through Athabasca University.