Access Points

Sustaining your Access Point

Once your organization has completed the 101 overview noted in the sections above the next step is completing training and starting your Access Point. The IA BoS CoC works with the Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) to provide a training system online. This Learning Management System (LMS) allows Access Point staff to view training on their own time and provides autonomy to choose the training they would like their staff to complete from the library of options available.

Iowa BoS New User Training Program & Test includes (4-6 Hours of Training):

• Training to utilize the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or Domestic Violence Information Management System (DVIMS).

• Completing and passing the training test

Coordinated Entry Training Course & Test for Access Point staff includes (6-8 Hours of Training):

• ICA online training about Coordinated Entry (15-Minute Recording)

• Assessment Tool Training

• Diversion Training

• Completing & passing the training test

Annual training for Access Point staff includes (4 Hours of Training):

• Diversion

• Point in Time (PIT) Unsheltered Count

• 4 hours of training each year are required with submission of proof of attendance must be submitted annually. Trainings in addition to the items listed above can include:

  • Confidentiality & Fair Housing Laws

  • Effective client engagement techniques for challenging difficult to engage consumers

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Co-Occurring Disorders

  • Information specific to immigrants/refugee & undocumented populations

  • Maintaining high quality data collection and reporting practices

  • Strategies for maintaining confidentiality & privacy while coordinated care among multiple CoC partners

  • ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

  • Best practices for emergency shelter & housing programs

  • Ethics & Confidentiality

The CoC will hold an annual training on a rotating schedule (one per year) which will be held live and recorded to ensure access to the training topics below that Access Point staff will need to complete once every three years (1-2 Hours of Training):

• Equal Access

• Trauma Informed Care

• Domestic Violence 101

Annual Intake Assessor Certification Process:

For new staff:

• For staff that complete assessment/intakes via paper forms: Iowa Balance of State Paperwork Course & Coordinated Entry Training Course

• For staff that complete assessments/intakes & enter data into HMIS or DVIMS: Iowa Balance of State New User Training, Iowa Balance of State Access Point Course, & Coordinated Entry Training Course

For existing staff and renewals:

• Staff are required to complete four hours of training annually to renew their certification, which can include any hours from training provided by the CoC, ESG, or HUD regarding (but not limited to) housing services, equity & diversity, confidentiality, ethics, best practices for housing programs, & case managements. Staff will need to provide proof of attendance for the annual training requirements mentioned above, plus the additional 4 hours of training.

Overall time commitment from Access Point staff for training (please note that all training is self-paced):

• New User Training: 4-6 hours

• Coordinated Entry Training: 6-8 hours

• Annual Training: 5-6 hours (4 hours of Continuing Education, 1-2 Hours of either Equal Access, Trauma-Informed Care, or Domestic Violence 101)

For any support with the training process, contact iowace@icalliances.org.