Upload
others
View
3
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
VI-SPDATv2.0Training
ThisisthequiztextfromtheClassMarkerVI-SPDATOnlineTrainingQuiz
ThiscourseoutlineshowtocompletetheVulnerabilityIndex-ServicePrioritizationDecisionAssistanceTool(VI-SPDAT),ascreatedandownedbyCommunitySolutionsandOrgCodeConsulting,Inc.
TheVI-SPDATistheresultofacombinationoftwotools–theVulnerabilityIndex(VI)surveycreatedbyCommunitySolutionsforuseinstreetoutreach,whichhelpstodeterminethechronicityandmedicalvulnerabilityofhomelesspersons,andtheServicePrioritizationDecisionAssistanceTool(SPDAT)createdbyOrgCodeasanintakeandcasemanagementtool.
Uponcompletingthiscourse,practitionerswillhaveadetailedunderstandingofhowtheVI-SPDATcanbeusedaspartofacoordinatedentrysystem,howitshouldnotbeused,andhowtoimplementthetoolwithclients.
1.AbouttheVI-SPDAT
WhatistheVI-SPDAT?
TheVI-SPDATisapre-screening,ortriagetoolthatisdesignedtobeusedbyallproviderswithinacommunitytoquicklyassessthehealthandsocialneedsofhomelesspersonsandmatchthemwiththemostappropriatesupportandhousinginterventionsthatareavailable.
Comparehomelessnessinyourcommunitytoamasscasualtyeventthatsendsmanypeopletothehospitalemergencydepartment:therewillbesomeseriousinjuriesthatrequireimmediateintervention,whileothersmaybeabletowaittobetreated,andsomeinjuriesmaynotneedmedicalattentionatall.Theemergencydepartmentstaffwillneedtoidentifywhomtotreatfirstandwhy,baseduponthebestavailableevidence.
AtriagetoolliketheVI-SPDATallowshomelessserviceproviderstosimilarlyassessandprioritizetheuniverseofpeoplewhoarehomelessintheircommunityandidentifywhomtotreatfirstbasedontheacuityoftheirneeds.Itisabriefsurveythatserviceproviders,outreachworkers,andevenvolunteerscanusetodetermineanacuityscoreforeachhomelesspersonwhoparticipates.Thescorescanthenbecomparedandusedtoidentifyandprioritizecandidatesfordifferenthousinginterventionsbasedupontheiracuity.UsingtheVI-SPDAT,providerscanmovebeyondonlyassistingthosewhopresentattheirparticularagencyandbegintoworktogethertoprioritizeallhomelesspeopleinthecommunity,regardlessofwheretheyareassessed,inaconsistentandtransparentmanner.
SometimestheVI-SPDATisconfusedwithorusedinterchangeablywiththeSPDAT.WhereastheVI-SPDATisatriagetool(alsoreferredtoasapre-screentool),theSPDATisanassessmenttool.TheSPDATdigsdeeperintothecontext,history,environmentandseverityofanissueinamorenuancedmanner
thantheVI-SPDAT.Toreturntothemetaphorofahospitalemergencydepartment,theVI-SPDATisthetriagestationaskingaseriesofquestionstoconfirmwhatisoccurringandtounderstandaparticularpatient’sneedsincomparisontoallotherpatients;theSPDATiswhathappenswhenthedoctorseesthepatient,roundsouttheunderstandingoftheissue,andadvisestheappropriatetreatmentprotocolforthatindividual.TheVI-SPDATisdesignedtodeterminethepresenceandacuityofanissueandidentifyclientstoreferforassessmentforspecifichousinginterventions,butitisnotintendedtoprovideacomprehensiveassessmentofeachperson’sneeds.
ItisrecommendedthattheVI-SPDATbeusedtogetherinacommunitywiththeSPDAT,astheyarecomplementarytools.However,communitiesmaystartwithusingonlytheVI-SPDATandreferringclientsdirectlytodifferenthousinginterventionsbasedontheirVI-SPDATscores,althoughthisapproachislessprecisethanusingamorecomprehensiveassessment.
Wherethereisflexibilityinthewording/content,andwherethereisnot
EachquestionintheVI-SPDATtiesintooneormoreofthecomponentsoftheSPDAT.Theinclusionofeachquestionissupportedbyanextensivebodyofevidencefrompeer-reviewedstudiesandgovernmentdocuments,and/orextensivedatafromprogramoperations.
Eachwordandphrasewithinthetoolhasbeencarefullyandrigorouslytested.Somequestionspermitadjustmentstothewordingtoallowfordifferencesinthelocalcontext:forexample,inQuestion3,“emergencyroom”maybechangedto“emergencydepartment”incommunitieswherethelatterismorecommonlyused.Asyougothroughthiscourse,youwillseewhereyouhavesomeflexibilitytoalterawordorphrasewithoutithavingabearingontheintentofthetool,andwhereyoucannotchangethewording.
Makingchangestothewordingofaquestion,otherthanthosethatareidentified,maymeanthatthequestionwillnolongerbegroundedinevidenceandmaynotelicittheinformationforwhichitwasdesigned.PermissionisrequiredfromCommunitySolutionsandOrgCodeConsulting,Inc.tomakeamendmentsbecausetheyowntheintellectualpropertyofthetool.
UnliketheSPDATassessment,whichusesmultiplemethodsforinformationcapture,theVI-SPDATisdesignedandstructuredtoonlyuseself-report.ApersonwhoisbeingsurveyedusingtheVI-SPDATshouldbeabletocompleteitwithanyone,notjustthepeoplewhoknowher/hiscasehistoryorhaveotherinformationfromothercircumstancesorsources.
TheorderoftheVI-SPDATcannotchange.Asaself-reportedtool,thesequenceisvitallyimportantandlinksitbacktotheSPDATforthosecommunitiesthatareusingbothtools.
YourcommunitymaychoosetoaddmorequestionstotheVI-SPDAT,aslongastheyarenotusedforscoringinanyway.Forexample,itiscommonforcommunitiestoaddscreeningquestionsthatcaptureinformationthatmaybeimportantforunderstandinglocalneedsortomeetfundingrequirements,suchasexperienceofdomestic/intimatepartnerviolence,militaryserviceandnatureofdischarge,and
whethertheindividualmeetsthefederaldefinitionofchronichomelessness.Additionally,somedemographicinformationcanbegatheredthatmayberequiredforHMISentry.
Consent
AnindividualmustprovideinformedconsentpriortotheVI-SPDATbeingcompleted.YoucannotcompleteaVI-SPDATwithaclientwithoutthatperson’sknowledgeandexplicitagreement.YoualsocannotcompletetheVI-SPDATsolelythroughobservationorusingknowninformationwithinyourorganization.
AbouttheVI-SPDATQuiz
2.TheStructureoftheVI-SPDAT
Domains&Components
TheVI-SPDATisorganizedacrossfourdomains.EachdomainisdirectlyalignedwiththedomainsofinquiryusedintheSPDAT.
A.HistoryofHousing
B.Risks
C.SocializationandDailyFunctions
D.Wellness
E.FamilyUnit
EachquestionwithintheVI-SPDATisdirectlyrelatedtooneormorecomponentswithintheSPDAT.The“components”arethesubsectionsofeachdomainarea.
• HistoryofHousing• HistoryofHousingandHomelessness• Risks• RiskofHarmtoSelforOthers• InvolvementinHigh-Riskand/orExploitiveSituations• InteractionswithEmergencyServices• LegalIssues• ManagingTenancy
• SocializationandDailyFunctions• Self-CareandDailyLivingSkills• PersonalAdministrationandMoneyManagement• MeaningfulDailyActivities• SocialRelationsandNetworks• Wellness• MentalHealthandWellnessandCognitiveFunctioning• PhysicalHealthandWellness• Medication• SubstanceUse• ExperienceofAbuseand/orTrauma• FamilyUnit• SizeofFamily• InteractionwithChildProtectiveServicesand/orFamilyCourt• NeedsofChildren• StabilityandResiliencyoftheFamilyUnit• ParentalEngagement
Remember:ThereisabsolutelynothingarbitraryaboutwhytheVI-SPDATasksthequestionsthatitdoesinthemannerthatitdoes.
TheTypesofQuestionsintheVI-SPDAT
EachquestionintheVI-SPDATlinksintooneormorecomponentsoftheSPDAT.Asapre-screentoolthatisusedtotriageclientsacrosstheentirehomelesspopulation,thequestionslookforthepresenceofamoreacuteissueineachcomponentarea.TheSPDATlooksdeeperintothenuancesoftheseissues.
AllVI-SPDATquestionsresultin“Yes”,“No”,“Refused”,orone-wordanswers.ThereisnoelaborationornarrativerequiredorrecommendedintheVI-SPDAT,unliketheSPDATandsimilartoolswheredoingsoispartoftheassessment.
HowthequestionsarestructuredisimportantintheVI-SPDAT,asistheorderingofthequestions.SomequestionsarewhatareknownasLinkedQuestions.LinkedQuestionsaresetsoftwoormorequestionsthattogetherhelpdetermineasinglescoringpoint.AStand-AloneQuestioniswhenjustonequestionisaskedtodetermineascoringpoint.
Everyquestionmustbeasked,andaresponsemustberecordedforeveryquestion–evenifthatresponseis“Refused.”Thisruleappliesevenifyouknowthatapersonmeetsallofthecriteriatogetapointforthequestionsetoncetheyhaveansweredthefirstquestion.
IfapersonrefusestoansweroneofthequestionsinaLinkedQuestionset,mark“Refused”andkeepaskingtheotherquestionsintheset.Dependingonwhichquestionsare“Refused”,itmaystillbepossibletoassignascoretotheLinkedQuestionset.ALinkedQuestionsetisunusableifallofthequestionsthatarelinkedtogetherare“Refused”.
AllofthequestionsintheVI-SPDAT,andthescoringsystemusedforeachStand-AloneQuestionandLinkedQuestionset,aredescribedindetailinthiscourse.
TheStructureoftheVI-SPDATQuiz
3.SettingUptheVI-SPDAT
BasicInformation
Thesurveyactuallybeginswiththecollectionofsomebasicinformation,suchastheclient’sname,age,andidentifyinginformation.
Samplescript
-----
Mynameis[interviewername]andIworkforagroupcalled[organizationname].IhaveashortsurveythatIwouldliketocompletewithyou.Theanswerswillhelpusdeterminehowwecangoaboutsupportingandhousingyou.MostquestionsonlyrequireaYesorNo.Somequestionsrequireaone-wordanswer.I’llbehonest,somequestionsarepersonalinnature,butknowyoucanskiporrefuseanyquestion.Theinformationcollectedgoesinto[dataprivacyrequirements].
Ifyoudonotunderstandaquestion,letmeknowandIwouldbehappytoclarify.Ifitseemstomethatyoudon’tunderstandaquestionIwillalsodomybesttoexplainittoyouwithoutyouneedingtoaskforclarification.
Onelastthingweshouldchatabout.I’vebeendoingthislongenoughtoknowthatsomepeoplewilltellmewhattheywantmetohearratherthantellingme–oreventhemselves–thetruth.It’suptoyou,butthemorehonestyouare,thebetterwecanfigureouthowbesttosupportyou.Ifyouaredishonestwithme,reallyyouarejustbeingdishonestwithyourself.So,pleaseanswerashonestlyasyoufeelcomfortabledoing.
-----
IntroductoryScript
Itisrecommendedthateveryoneinyourcommunityusethesameintroductoryscript.CreateonethatexplainshowyourcommunityisusingtheVI-SPDAT,howtheinformationisstored,andwhathappenswiththeinformationcollectedfromtheVI-SPDAT.Inyourscript,youshouldrelaythefollowing:
• thenameoftheassessorandtheiraffiliation(organizationthatemploysthem,volunteeraspartofaPointinTimeCount,etc.)
• thepurposeoftheVI-SPDATbeingcompleted• thatitusuallytakeslessthan7minutestocomplete• thatonlyYes,Noorone-wordanswersarebeingsought• thatanyquestioncanbeskippedorrefused• wheretheinformationisgoingtobestored• thatiftheparticipantdoesnotunderstandaquestionortheassessordoesnotunderstandthe
questionthatclarificationcanbeprovided• theimportanceofrelayingaccurateinformationtotheassessorandnotfeelingthatthereisa
correctorpreferredanswerthattheyneedtoprovide,norinformationtheyneedtoconceal
AdministrativeInformation
ThefirstsectionoftheVI-SPDATrequirestheinterviewertocompletesomeadministrativefields,includingtheinterviewer’sname,theagencyconductingtheinterview,theinterviewer’srole,andthesurveydate,time,andlocation.Thisinformationisalladministrative,andcanbecompletedbeforeorafterthesurveyitself.
Ifyouarecompletingthissurveythroughyourcommunity’sHomelessManagementInformationSystem(HMIS)thissectionmaybeautomaticallycompletedforyouthroughyourlogininformationandyourcomputer’stimestamp.However,hard(paper)copiesoftheVI-SPDATrequirethissectiontobecompleted.
Family
AgeisimportantbecausethefirstpartoftheVI-SPDATthatisscorediswhethertheindividualis60yearsofageorolder.Iftheyare,thepersonsurveyedreceivesapoint.Thisreflectstheincreasedvulnerabilityofhomelessseniors.NotethatthereisalsoayouthversionoftheVI-SPDAT.Iftherespondentisaged24orunder,makesureyouarefillingoutthecorrectversionofthesurvey.
Sometimespeoplewanttoknowwhyapersonisaskedboth“Howoldareyou?”and“What’syourdateofbirth?”Thereasonisthatitisfasterforpeopletostatetheiragethanforthesurveyortocalculatetheiragefromthedateofbirth,butaskingbothquestionsensuresaccuracy.
IfyouarecompletingtheVI-SPDATwithinyourcommunity’sHomelessManagementInformationSystem(HMIS),itispartoftheintegratedclientrecordinalmostallinstances.Whatthismeansisthat
youalreadyhavesomebasicinformation,andthisportionmaybealreadycompletedforyou.Differentprogramsmayrecordthisinformationdifferently,andyoumaybeaskedforaclient’sIDnumberinstead.
However,ifyouaredoingtheVI-SPDATonpaperorinanExcelorAccessdatabase,thissectionwillneedtobecompleted.
Children
Whileobtainingbasicinformationaboutmembersofthefamily,itisimportanttorecordinformationaboutthechildreninthehouseholdaswell.Childrendirectlyimpacthousingbecausetheyincreasethenumberofbedroomsrequiredandalsoimpacthousingaffordabilityandfinancesinotherways.
Firstrecordthenumberofchildrenthatcurrentlylivewiththefamily,followedbythenumberofchildrenexpectedtomoveinwiththefamilyafterhousing.Althoughthesechildrenmaynot,infact,movein,thisquestionisassessingwhetherthehouseholdisactivelylookingforhousingthatwouldsupportthosechildrenaswell.
Ifthereisafemaleinthehousehold,alsoaskifanyoneinthefamilyiscurrentlypregnant.Thisquestionshouldbeaskedifthereisafemalepresent(oranyonewhoidentifiesasfemale),regardlessoftheageofthefemale.Ithelpstoreducesurveyorbiasifeveryhouseholdthatincludesafemaleisaskedthisquestion,evenifitisunlikelythattheyarenotofanagewherepregnancyislikely.
Recordingthenames,ages,anddatesofbirthofthechildrenisrequiredforrecord-keeping,butthereisanaddedpurposetothis.Thenumberofchildren,agesofchildren,andcurrentpregnancyareusedtoassignapointforfamilysize.
ScoringQuestions1-4
Questions1-4ontheFamilyVI-SPDATareLinkedquestions.Thescoringforthissectionissomewhatcomplex.
-Ifthefamilyhastwoparents,score1ifthereare3ormorechildreneithercurrentlywiththehouseholdorexpectingtolivewiththemoncehoused,and/orifanychildrenareaged6oryounger,or,
-Ifthefamilyhasoneparent,score1ifthereare2ormorechildreneithercurrentlywiththehouseholdorexpectingtolivewiththemoncehoused,and/orifanychildrenareaged11oryounger,or,
-Score1ifanyoneinthefamilyiscurrentlypregnant
-Score0foranyotherresponse,including“Refused”
Individuals
AgeisimportantbecausethefirstpartoftheVI-SPDATthatisscorediswhethertheindividualis60yearsofageorolder.Iftheyare,thepersonsurveyedreceivesapoint.Thisreflectstheincreasedvulnerabilityofhomelessseniors.NotethatthereisalsoayouthversionoftheVI-SPDAT.Iftherespondentisaged24orunder,makesureyouarefillingoutthecorrectversionofthesurvey.
Sometimespeoplewanttoknowwhyapersonisaskedboth“Howoldareyou?”and“What’syourdateofbirth?”Thereasonisthatitisfasterforpeopletostatetheiragethanforthesurveyortocalculatetheiragefromthedateofbirth,butaskingbothquestionsensuresaccuracy.
IfyouarecompletingtheVI-SPDATwithinyourcommunity’sHomelessManagementInformationSystem(HMIS),itispartoftheintegratedclientrecordinalmostallinstances.Whatthismeansisthatyoualreadyhavesomebasicinformation,andthisportionmaybealreadycompletedforyou.Differentprogramsmayrecordthisinformationdifferently,andyoumaybeaskedforaclient’sIDnumberinstead.
However,ifyouaredoingtheVI-SPDATonpaperorinanExcelorAccessdatabase,thissectionwillneedtobecompleted.
SettingUptheVI-SPDAT
4.DomainA:HistoryofHousingandHomelessness
CurrentSleepingArrangement
Family
Note:fromhereon,thenumberingwillbedifferentforthefamilyversionversustheindividualversion.However,thequestionsarelargelythesame,withtheexceptionofchangingwordingfrom“you”to“yourfamily”inmostquestions.Whentherearemoresignificantdifferencesbetweentheindividualandfamilyversions,theywillbenoted.
Canadian
Question1:Wheredoyousleepmostfrequently?(checkone)
ThisquestionactuallyassessesRisk(seeDomainB),butisusefultoestablishabaseline,andisdirectlyrelatedtoaperson’shistoryofhousingandhomelessness.
Forthisquestion,ifapersonisstayinganywhereotherthanahomeless-servingprogram,thisisconsideredtobehigherrisk.Therefore,ascoreof1isprovidedifthereisanythingotherthan“Shelter”selected.
Frequentlythequestioncomesupwithwhystayingwithfriendsorfamilyisconsideredhigherrisk.Asthenatureofthedoubled-uporcouchsurfingsituationisunknown,andmaybeharmful,itisconsideredhigherriskinthiscircumstance.
For“Other”itisimportanttospecify.
ScoringQuestion1
Question1isaStand-Alonequestion.
-Score0iftherespondentisstayinginaShelter
-Score1foranyotherresponse,including“Refused”
American
Question1:Wheredoyousleepmostfrequently?(checkone)
ThisquestionactuallyassessesRisk(seeDomainB),butisusefultoestablishabaseline,andisdirectlyrelatedtoaperson’shistoryofhousingandhomelessness.
Forthisquestion,ifapersonisstayinganywhereotherthanahomeless-servingprogram,thisisconsideredtobehigherrisk.Therefore,ascoreof1isprovidedifthereisanythingotherthan“Shelter,”“TransitionalHousing,”or“SafeHaven”selected.
NotethatSafeHavenreferstoSafeHavensforhomelessindividualswithseriousmentalillness,althoughthetermmaybeuseddifferentlyindifferentcommunities.
Frequentlythequestioncomesupwithwhystayingwithfriendsorfamilyisconsideredhigherrisk.Asthenatureofthedoubled-uporcouchsurfingsituationisunknown,andmaybeharmful,itisconsideredhigherriskinthiscircumstance.
For“Other”itisimportanttospecify.
ScoringQuestion1
Question1isaStand-Alonequestion.
Score0iftherespondentisstayinginaShelter,TransitionalHousing,orSafeHaven
Score1foranyotherresponse,including“Refused”
ChronicHomelessness
Canadian
Thefollowingtwoquestionsareaskedtodetermineacuity,butalsohelpcommunitiesmeasurechronicandepisodichomelessnessundertheHomelessPartneringStrategy.TheHPSdefineschronichomelessnessasexperiencing6ormoremonthsofhomelessnessinthepastyear,andepisodichomelessnessisdefinedas3ormoreepisodesofhomelessnessinthepastyear.Questions2and3assistinmeasuringthis.
Question2:Howlonghasitbeensinceyoulivedinpermanentstablehousing?
Thisquestionisinterestedinthedurationofthecurrentepisodeofhomelessness.Sincepersonsexperiencinghomelessnessmaysleepinmultipleplaceswhilehomeless,wefinditiseasiertosimplyaskhowlongithasbeensincetheywerehoused.
“Permanent,stablehousing”hastwocomponents.
Permanenthousingishousingthatisnottemporary(i.e.halfwayhouse,TransitionalHousing)inthattherewasnotimelimitimposedonthepersonlivingthere.Apersonwhomovedinwiththeirfriend“untiltheycouldfindanotherplace”isconsideredtemporary,butiftheylivedwithafriendwhohadaspareroomandtheysharedtherentandthefriendwasokaywiththemlivingthereindefinitely,thatisconsideredpermanent.Ifthepersonisunsure,askiftheyfeltitwasapermanentarrangement.
Stablehousingishousingthatisreliableandthatthepersoncanreturntoeverydaywithoutfearofbeinglockedout,orhavingtomovefrequently.Itishousingthatthepersonfeelscomfortableenoughsayingitistheirhome.Ifthepersonisunsure,askiftheyfeltitwasastablearrangement.
Question3:Inthelastyear,howmanytimeshaveyoubeenhomeless?
Thisincludesanyandalltypesofhomelessness.Thismayincludelivinginacar,transitionalhousingstays,doubledup,couchsurfing,livingoutdoors,stayinginshelters,etc.Thisalsoincludeshomelessnessduringperiodsofincarcerationorduringhospitalstays.ThisdoesNOTincludeadultchildrenlivingwithparents.
Sometimes,forpeoplewhoarechronicallyorepisodicallyhomeless,itcanbeeasiertocountthenumberoftimestheyhavebeenhousedandbecamehomelessagain.Movingfromanencampmenttoahospitaltoasheltermightseemlikemorethanoneepisodeofhomelessness,butsincetheywerenothousedatanypointduringthistime,itisstilloneepisode.
Question3canbemodified.Insteadofsaying“Inthepastyear”youmayreplaceitwith“Sincelast[insertmonthorseasonequaltooneyearago]howmanytimeshaveyoubeenhomeless?”
ScoringQuestions2-3
Questions2and3areLinkedQuestions,meaningthattheresponsestobothquestionsimpacttherespondent’sVI-SPDATscoreinthisdomain.
Score1iftherespondenthasbeenhomelessfor6ormoremonths,ortherespondenthasbeenhomeless3ormoretimes,orboth.
Score0foranyotherresponse,including“Refused”
American
Thefollowingtwoquestionsareaskedtodetermineacuity,butalsohelpcommunitiesmeasurechronichomelessnessundertheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment(HUD).HUDhasdefinedchronichomelessnessasanindividualorfamilywithadisablingconditionwhohasbeencontinuouslyhomelessforayearormoreorhashadatleastfourepisodesofhomelessnessinthepastthreeyears.Questions2and3assistinmeasuringthis.
Question2:Howlonghasitbeensinceyoulivedinpermanentstablehousing?
Thisquestionisinterestedinthedurationofthecurrentepisodeofhomelessness.Sincepersonsexperiencinghomelessnessmaysleepinmultipleplaceswhilehomeless,wefinditiseasiertosimplyaskhowlongithasbeensincetheywerehoused.
“Permanent,stablehousing”hastwocomponents.
Permanenthousingishousingthatisnottemporary(i.e.halfwayhouse,TransitionalHousing)inthattherewasnotimelimitimposedonthepersonlivingthere.Apersonwhomovedinwiththeirfriend“untiltheycouldfindanotherplace”isconsideredtemporary,butiftheylivedwithafriendwhohadaspareroomandtheysharedtherentandthefriendwasokaywiththemlivingthereindefinitely,thatisconsideredpermanent.Ifthepersonisunsure,askiftheyfeltitwasapermanentarrangement.
Stablehousingishousingthatisreliableandthatthepersoncanreturntoeverydaywithoutfearofbeinglockedout,orhavingtomovefrequently.Itishousingthatthepersonfeelscomfortableenoughsayingitistheirhome.Ifthepersonisunsure,askiftheyfeltitwasastablearrangement.
Question3:Inthelastthreeyears,howmanytimeshaveyoubeenhomeless?
Thisincludesanyandalltypesofhomelessness.Thismayincludelivinginacar,transitionalhousingstays,doubledup,couchsurfing,livingoutdoors,stayinginshelters,etc.Thisalsoincludes
homelessnessduringperiodsofincarcerationorduringhospitalstays.ThisdoesNOTincludeadultchildrenlivingwithparents.
Sometimes,forpeoplewhoarechronicallyorepisodicallyhomeless,itcanbeeasiertocountthenumberoftimestheyhavebeenhousedandbecamehomelessagain.Movingfromanencampmenttoahospitaltoasheltermightseemlikemorethanoneepisodeofhomelessness,butsincetheywerenothousedatanypointduringthistime,itisstilloneepisode.
Question3canbemodified.Insteadofsaying“Inthepastthreeyears”youmayreplaceitwith“Since[insertdateandyearequaltothreeyearsago]howmanytimeshaveyoubeenhomeless?”
ScoringQuestions2-3
Questions2and3areLinkedQuestions,meaningthattheresponsestobothquestionsimpacttherespondent’sVI-SPDATscoreinthisdomain.
Score1iftherespondenthasbeenhomelessfor1ormoreyears,ortherespondenthasbeenhomeless4ormoretimes,orboth.
Score0foranyotherresponse,including“Refused”
DomainA:HistoryofHousingandHomelessnessQuiz
{Questionsremoved…}
5.DomainB:Risks
EmergencyServiceUse
Question4examinesthefrequencyoftherespondent’sinteractionwithvariousemergencyservices.
4.Inthepastsixmonths,howmanytimeshaveyou…
Theliteratureconfirmsthattoincreaseaccuracy,youshouldassisttheclient’srecallbyputtingthepast6monthsincontext.Thebestwaytodothisistocountback,outloud,withtheindividual.Forexample,let’ssaytoday’sdateisJuly14.Youwouldsay,“Thenextquestionsareaboutthingsthathavehappenedinthelastsixmonths.Let’scountback:JulytoJuneisone,JunetoMayistwo,MaytoAprilisthree,ApriltoMarchisfour,MarchtoFebruaryisfive,FebruarytoJanuaryissix.So,sincethemiddleofJanuaryhowmanytimeshaveyou…”Itisalsohelpfultoincludealandmarkdatewhenappropriate;forexample,atthebeginningofJuly,youmightask“SinceNewYear’s,howmanytimeshaveyou…”
a)Receivedhealthcareatanemergencydepartment/room?
Inyourcommunity,usewhicheverisusedmostcommon–emergencydepartmentoremergencyroom.Thisquestionisexaminingthenumberoftimestheindividualhasengagedwithemergencyresourcesforthepurposesofhealthcare.Timeswhenanindividualgoestotheemergencydepartmentforpurposesotherthanhealthcare(forexample,towarmuponacoldnightbutdoesnotengagewithhealthcare;tousetherestroombutdoesnotengagewithhealthcare)arenotcounted.
b)Takenanambulancetothehospital?
Ultimatelythisisaboutanyincidentwhereacostisincurredthroughanambulance/EMSinteraction.Theinteractionwiththeambulanceisalsoaboutthepurposesofhealthcare.LetussayJohngetshurtandhisfriendBobridesalongwithJohntothehospital.ThatisJohn’sinteractionwiththeambulance,notBob’s.
c)Beenhospitalizedasaninpatient?
Hospitalizationsshouldnotbeconfusedwithlengthofhospitalstay.Forexample,someonethathasaheartattackmaybeinhospitalforsevendays.Thatisonehospitalization.
d)Usedacrisisservice,includingrapecrisis,mentalhealthcrisis,domesticviolence,distresscentersandsuicidepreventionhotlines?
Thisincludesanyinteractionwithacrisisserviceontheperson’sownbehalf,whetherthatisinpersonorthroughothermeanslikeoverthephone.Dependingonyourcommunity–orthelocationwhereyouarecompletingthesurvey–youmayaddsomethinglike“…oryouthrunawayhotline,orbaddatecrisisline?”
e)Talkedtopolicebecauseyouwitnessedacrime,werethevictimofacrime,ortheallegedperpetratorofacrimeorbecausethepolicetoldyouthatyoumustmovealong?
Aninteractionwithpolicehastobeforthepurposeoflawenforcement:thisincludescircumstanceswherethepersonwasthevictimofacrime,thewitnesstoacrime,ortheallegedperpetratorofanoffence.Apoliceofficersayinghellotosomeonewouldnotbeconsideredaninteraction;apoliceofficerthreateningsomeonewithaticketiftheydonotmovealongwouldcount.
f)Stayedoneormorenightsinaholdingcell,jailorprison,whetherthatwasashort-termstaylikethedrunktank,alongerstayforamoreseriousoffence,oranythinginbetween?
Aswithhospitalizations,thelengthofstayshouldnotbeconfusedwithnumberofinteractions.Ifapersonwassuspectedofinvolvementinacrimeandheldinpolicecustodyfortwonightsbeforebeingreleased,thatisoneinteraction.Again,weareultimatelylookingforanyincidentwherethereisacostincurred,directlyrelatedtoprovidinglodgingforsomeoneinvolvedwithlawenforcement.
ScoringQuestion4
ThescoringforQuestion4isslightlydifferentthanotherquestions.
Score1ifthetotalnumberofinteractionswithemergencyandhealthservicesidentifiedinquestion4is4ormore.
Score0ifthetotalnumberofinteractionsidentifiedinquestion4islessthan4.
RiskofHarm
Question5:Haveyoubeenattackedorbeatenupsinceyou’vebecomehomeless?
Thisquestionexamineswhethertheindividualhasbeeninanaltercationand/orharmedatthehandsofanother.Thiscoverstheentiretimetheyhavebeenhomeless,includingeveryinstanceofhomelessnessintheirlifetime(notjustthemostrecentconsecutiveperiodofhomelessness).
Question6:Haveyouthreatenedtoortriedtoharmyourselforanyoneelseinthelastyear?
Thisquestionexamineswhethertheindividualhassuggested,throughwordsoractions,thattheyweregoingtoharmhim-orherselforanotherperson,aswellasiftheyhaveactuallyattemptedtoharmthemselvesoranyotherpersoninthelast12months.Thepersondoesnotneedtohavebeenhomelessatthetimeofthesethreatsorattempts.
ScoringQuestions5-6
Questions5and6areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftheresponsestoQuestions5or6is“Yes”
Score0iftheresponsestoQuestions5and6aresomecombinationof“No”or“Refused”
LegalIssues
Question7:Doyouhaveanylegalstuffgoingonrightnowthatmayresultinyoubeinglockedup,havingtopayfines,orthatmakeitmoredifficulttorentaplace?
Thephrase“legalstuff”includesanytypeoflegalmattersuchasbeingonaregisteredoffenderlist,outstandingwarrants,movingviolations,pendingcharges,etc.Theterm“legalstuff”isusedherebecausetestingoftheSPDATandVI-SPDATindicatesthatthisphrasingwasbestunderstoodbyrespondentstoincludeabroadrangeofjusticesysteminteractions.Forthe“legalstuff”tocountinthisquestion,itmustbeanissuethatcanresultineitherbeingincarceratedorhavingtopayafineforanoffence.
Ultimately,thisquestionislookingfortheimpactoflegalissuesonhousingstability.Ifapersonislikelytobeincarcerated,theylikelywon’tbeabletopaytheirrent.Ifapersonislikelytohavetopayfinesthatimpacttheirabilitytopayrent,again,theirhousingstabilityisatrisk.Otherlegalissuesmayalsoimpacthousingstabilityonasimilarlevel.
ScoringQuestion7
Question7isaStand-AloneQuestion.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”
Exploitation
Question8:Doesanybodyforceortrickyoutodothingsthatyoudonotwanttodo?
Thisquestionisexaminingtheissuesofexploitationandvictimization.Theuseofforcemaybethroughphysicaloremotionalmeans.Theuseof“trick”isoftenonlyunderstoodthroughhindsight.Theindividualdidnotknowtheywerebeingtrickedatthetimeoftheactivity,butrealizesordiscoverstheywereafterthefact.
Question9:Doyoueverdothingsthatmaybeconsideredtoberiskylikeexchangesexformoney,rundrugsforsomeone,haveunprotectedsexwithsomeoneyoudon’treallyknow,shareaneedle,oranythinglikethat?
Itshouldbenotedatthestartofthisquestionthatitstates“consideredtoberisky”soastoconveythatthequestioniswithoutjudgment.
Thisquestionisoftenthefirsttimeinthesurveythatsomeonewillattempttoprovidemoreinformationthanwhatyouareaskingfor–andshouldthatoccur,politelyinterruptandletthemknowthatyouareseekingtoknowiftheydoanyofthesetypesofthings,notwhichspecificthingorthecontextinwhichthatoccurred.Surveyorshavealsofoundithelpfultoputtheemphasisonthelastpartofthesentence…”oranythinglikethat”soastoverballyconveythatyouarenotseekingspecifics.
ScoringQuestions8-9
Question8and9areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftheresponsestoQuestions8or9is“Yes”
Score0iftheresponsestoQuestions8and9aresomecombinationof“No”or“Refused”
DomainB:RisksQuiz
6.DomainC:Socialization&DailyFunctions
MoneyManagement
Question10:Isthereanyperson,pastlandlord,business,bookie,dealer,orgovernmentgroupliketheIRSthatthinksyouowethemmoney?
Note:TheCanadianversionreplacesthereferenceto“IRS”with“CRA”
Thisquestionshouldnotbeconfusedwithaskingwhetherthepersonowesanybodymoney.Thisquestiongetsattherisksofindebtednessoraperceptionofindebtedness,inadditiontothepossibilityofdebt.
Question11:Doyougetanymoneyfromthegovernment,apension,aninheritance,workingunderthetable,oraregularjob,oranythinglikethat?
Thisquestionexamineswhetherpeoplehaveasourceofmoney.Puttheemphasisonhowyouask“oranythinglikethat?”soastobeclearthatyouarenotlookingforspecificsofhowtheygetmoney.
ScoringQuestions10-11
Question10and11areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftheresponsetoQuestion10is“Yes”and/ortheresponsetoQuestion11is“No”
Score0iftheresponsetoQuestion10is“No”or“Refused”andtheresponsetoQuestion11is“Yes”or“Refused”
MeaningfulDailyActivity
Question12:Doyouhaveplannedactivitiesotherthanjustsurvivingthatmakeyoufeelhappyandfulfilled?
Thisquestionconsiderswhethertherespondentregularlyengagesinactivitiesthattheychooseandthatprovidepersonalsatisfactionandasenseofintellectual,emotional,social,physicalorspiritualfulfilment.
ScoringQuestion12
Question12isaStand-Alonequestion.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“No”
Score0iftherespondentanswers“Yes”or“Refused”
Self-Care
Question13:Areyouabletotakecareofbasicneedslikebathing,changingclothes,usingarestroom,gettingfoodandcleanwaterandotherthingslikethat?
Thisquestionisassessingwhethertherespondentself-reportsbothhavingaccesstoandtheabilitytotakecareofbasicneeds,includingpersonalhygiene.
ScoringQuestion13
Question13isaStand-Alonequestion.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“No”
Score0iftherespondentanswers“Yes”or“Refused”
SocialRelationships
Question14:Isyourcurrenthomelessnessinanywaybecauseofarelationshipthatbrokedown,anunhealthyorabusiverelationship,orbecausefriendsorfamilycausedyoutobecomeevicted?
Thisquestionisdesignedtoexplorewhethertherespondenthasrelationshipsthatmayhavesomenegativeconsequencesforhisorherhousingstability.AswithQuestion9,therespondentmayfeelthe
needtoelaborateontheirresponse.Ifthisoccurs,gentlyremindthemthatyouareonlylookingfora“yes”or“no”answer.
ScoringQuestion14
Question14isaStand-Alonequestion.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”
DomainC:Socialization&DailyFunctionsQuiz
7.DomainD:Wellness
PhysicalHealth
Question15:Haveyoueverhadtoleaveanapartment,shelterprogram,orotherplaceyouwerestayingbecauseofyourphysicalhealth?
Thisquestionisassessingwhethertherespondent’sphysicalhealthisimpactingtheirhousingstability.Itdoesnotmatterwhetherthereasonwasofficialorunofficial;theimportantpartiswhethertherespondentfeelsthatphysicalhealthwasthereason.
Question16:Doyouhaveanychronichealthissueswithyourliver,kidneys,stomach,lungsorheart?
ThisquestionisderivedfromtheVulnerabilityIndexandisassessing,inpart,riskofheightenedmortalitywhilehomelessduetoseriousphysicalhealthissues.Again,wearenotinterestedinthedetailsofthechronichealthissue,simplyayesornoresponse.
Question17:IftherewasspaceavailableinaprogramthatspecificallyassistspeoplethatlivewithHIVorAIDS,wouldthatbeofinteresttoyou?
ThisquestionisnotassessingwhetherthepersonhasHIV/AIDS.Instead,itisassessingwhether,iftheylivewithHIV/AIDS,theyareinterestedinreceivingprogramsorservicesforthathealthissue.
Note:theCanadianversiondoesnotaskthisquestion.
Question18:Doyouhaveanyphysicaldisabilitiesthatwouldlimitthetypeofhousingyoucouldaccess,orwouldmakeithardtoliveindependentlybecauseyou’dneedhelp?
Thisquestionisnotaskingwhetherthepersonhasaphysicaldisability,butlikemanyotherquestionsisinquiringwhetherthedisabilitywouldimpacthousingstabilityortheirabilitytofindandmaintainhousing.
Question19:Whenyouaresickornotfeelingfeel,doyouavoidgettinghelp?
Thisquestionisaskingspecificallyaboutmedicalattention.Thequestionassesseswhether,whenahealthissuearises,itistypicallyaddressedorignoredforanyreason.Itisimportanttonotethatsomeindividualsmayprefertoseekmedicalattentionbutmaybeunabletodosoforvariousreasonsincludingfinancials–thisisconsideredavoidinggettinghelp,sincetheyarechoosingnottoreceiveassistanceatthattime.
Question20:Forfemalerespondentsonly:Areyoucurrentlypregnant?
Thisquestionshouldbeaskediftherespondentisfemale(oridentifiesasfemale),regardlessoftheageofthefemale.Ithelpstoreducesurveyorbiasifeveryhouseholdthatincludesafemaleisaskedthisquestion,evenifitisunlikelythattheyarenotofanagewherepregnancyislikely.
Note:theFamilyversiondoesnotaskthisquestion,becauseithasalreadybeenaskedearlier.
ScoringQuestions15-20
Question15through20areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftheresponsestoanyofQuestions15-20is“Yes”
Score0iftheresponsestoallofQuestions15-20aresomecombinationof“No”or“Refused”
SubstanceUse
Question21:Hasyourdrinkingordruguseledyoutobeingkickedoutofanapartmentorprogramwhereyouwerestayinginthepast?
Thisquestionisinquiringwhetherthishashappenedatanypointinher/hislifetime.Itisnotinquiringwhetherapersondrinksalcoholorusesdrugs;insteaditfocusesontheimpactofthatonhousingstability.Perhapsdrinkingordrugusemeanttherewasnomoneyleftforrent,orperhapspartyingledtolandlordorneighbordisputesthatresultedineviction.Iftherespondentwasstayingwiththeirparentsorafriendandwerekickedoutduetodrugoralcoholuse,thatiscountedasa“yes.”Theimportantpartiswhethertherespondentfeelsthattheylosttheirhousingbecauseoftheirdrinkingordruguse.
Question22:Willdrinkingordrugusemakeitdifficultforyoutostayhousedoraffordyourhousing?
WhileQuestion21asksaboutthepast,Question22isinquiringaboutthefuture.LikeQuestion21,however,theresponsetothisquestiondependsontheperson’sperceptionofthemselves.Theimportantpartiswhethertherespondentfeelstheirfuturehousingstabilitywillbenegativelyimpactedbytheirdrinkingordruguse.
ScoringQuestions21-22
Questions21and22areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”toeitherQuestion21or22
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”tobothQuestion21and22
MentalHealth
Question23:Haveyoueverhadtroublemaintainingyourhousing,orbeenkickedoutofanapartment,shelterprogramorotherplaceyouwerestaying,becauseof:
Thisquestionisinquiringwhetherthishashappenedatanypointinher/hislifetime.Itisnotinquiringwhetherapersonhasanissuerelatedtomentalhealth;insteaditfocusesontheimpactofthatonhousingstability.Thereasondoesnotneedtobeexplicit;theimportantpartiswhethertherespondentfeelsthattheylosttheirhousingbecauseoftheirmentalhealthconcern.
a)Amentalhealthissueorconcern?
Thisdoesnotneedtobeadiagnosedorevendiagnosablementalhealthissue.Itisonlyconcernedwithwhethertherespondentconsiderstheirmentalhealthareasonforlosingtheirhousingatsomepoint.
b)Apastheadinjury?
Thisquestionisinquiringaboutharmtothebrain,whichincludesbothacquiredandorganicbraininjuriesregardlessofhowtheharmoccurred.
c)Alearningdisability,developmentaldisability,orotherimpairment?
Thisquestiondetermineswhetherthepersonmayhavethesetypesofdisabilities.Again,thecircumstancesdonotmatter,simplywhethertherespondentfeelsthattheirdisabilityorimpairmenthasinsomewayresultedinalossofhousing.
Question24:Doyouhaveanymentalhealthorbrainissuesthatwouldmakeithardforyoutoliveindependentlybecauseyou’dneedhelp.
WhileQuestion23asksaboutthepast,Question24isinquiringaboutthefuture.LikeQuestion23,however,theresponsetothisquestiondependsontheperson’sperceptionofthemselves.The
importantpartiswhethertherespondentfeelstheirfuturehousingstabilitywillbenegativelyimpactedbytheirmentalwell-being.
ScoringQuestions23-24
Questions23and24areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”toeitherQuestion23(anypart)or24
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”tobothQuestion23(everypart)and24
Tri-Morbidity
Tri-Morbidityoccurswhenthepersonhasaphysicalhealthissue,mentalhealthissueandsubstanceuseissueatthesametime.ThepresenceofTri-Morbidityisdeterminedbyexaminingtherespondent’sscoresinthesectionsoftheWellnessdomainthataddressPhysicalHealth,MentalHealthandSubstanceUse.
IfyourVI-SPDATisbeingenteredintoyourHMIS,thisismostlikelyauto-calculatedforyou.IfyouaredoingtheVI-SPDATonpaper,youwillneedtosearchfora“1”ScoreforPhysicalHealth,a“1”ScoreinMentalHealth,anda“1”ScoreinSubstanceUse.”Iftheseconditionsaremet,thepersonreceivesascoreof1forTri-Morbidity.
ScoringTri-Morbidity
Score1iftherespondenthasascoreof1inallofPhysicalHealth,MentalHealth,andSubstanceUse
Score0iftherespondenthasascoreof0inanyofPhysicalHealth,MentalHealth,orSubstanceUse
Medications
Question25:Arethereanymedicationsthatadoctorsaidyoushouldbetakingthat,forwhateverreason,youarenottaking?
Thisistryingtodetermineifthepersonisnottakingamedicationthatahealthcareprofessionalbelievesshe/heshouldbetaking.Ifyouliveinalocationwherenursepractitionerscanprescribemedications,thatwouldbeincludedequallyto“doctor.”Alsonotethat“doctor”includesmentalhealthprofessionalssuchaspsychiatriststhatcanprescribemedications.
Question26:Arethereanymedicationslikepainkillersthatyoudon’ttakethewaythedoctorprescribedorwhereyousellthemedication?
Thisquestionisafollow-uptoQuestion25,andistryingtogetatwhetherthosewhotaketheirmedicationsdosoinawaythatisnotspeedingrecovery.Again,“doctor”canincludeanyhealthormentalhealthprofessionalsthatcanprescribemedications.
ScoringQuestions25-26
Questions25and26areLinkedQuestions.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”toeitherQuestion25or26
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”tobothQuestion25and26
ExperienceofAbuseorTrauma
Question27:YesorNo–Hasyourcurrentperiodofhomelessnessbeencausedbyanexperienceofemotional,physical,psychological,sexual,orothertypeofabuse,orbyanyothertraumayouhaveexperienced?
WhilemostquestionsuptothispointhavebeenYesorNoquestions,thisquestionstartsinthatwaysoastoremindtherespondentindirectlythatnoparticulardetailsarebeingsought.Thisquestionisinquiringabouttwodifferentthings–iftheyhaveexperiencedabuse/traumaandnotsoughthelpforit,and/oriftheyhaveexperiencedabuse/traumaandbelievethatabuse/traumacausedtheirhomelessness.
NotethatthisistheonlyquestionintheVI-SPDATthatwasnotwrittenbytheprimaryauthorsofthetool(OrgCodeConsultingandCommunitySolutions).Thisquestionwaswrittenbyexpertsintraumaandabuseandisspecificallywordedtodecreasethelikelihoodofre-traumatizingsomeonethroughtheaskingofthequestion.
ScoringQuestion27
Question27isaStand-AloneQuestion.
Score1iftherespondentanswers“Yes”
Score0iftherespondentanswers“No”or“Refused”
7.DomainD:WellnessQuiz
8.CalculatingtheVI-SPDATScore
OnceyouhavecompletedtheVI-SPDATsurvey,thescoresforeachquestionwillbeaddedtocalculatesub-totalsforeachdomainandatotalVI-SPDATscore.
IfyouusetheVI-SPDATalongwiththeSPDAToranotherassessmenttool,thescoringoftheVI-SPDATinformswhoshouldbeassessedforwhichtypeofhousingintervention(e.g.,RapidRe-HousingorPermanentSupportiveHousing/HousingFirst).
IfyouaresolelyusingtheVI-SPDATatthispointinyourcommunity,insteadoftheVI-SPDATsuggestingaparticulartypeofassessment,itmaybeusedtoidentifywhichclientswillbereferredtospecifichousinginterventions.However,thisislessprecisethanusingtheVI-SPDATinconjunctionwithanassessmenttool.Forexample,afullassessmentforindividualswhoseVI-SPDATscoresplacethematthecut-offpointfromoneinterventiontoanother(i.e.3/4,or7/8)resultsingreaterclarityastowhereandhowthehouseholdwillbebestsupportedandhoused.
CalculatingtheVI-SPDATScoreQuiz