The CT Housing & Homeless Training Academy is a collaboration of Advancing Connecticut Together, CT Coalition to End Homelessness, Housing Innovations, Nutmeg Consulting, and solutions4community. This funded project is a collaboration between the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the CT Department of Housing.
This online learning platform was established to provide a wide array of professional development resources for individuals working within the housing and homeless services sector. Training modules will cover topics such as case management, de-escalation, and motivational interviewing.
To begin using the platform click on the button below and follow these steps:
- On the welcome screen, click "Need Access?"
- On the next page, complete the form and click "Request CT LMS Access"
- You will receive a welcome email, click the link provided to set your password
- Access your training by logging in at cthousingacademy.myabsorb.com
Upcoming Trainings
In addition to our online catalog, the following upcoming trainings are open to participants via Zoom.
Legal Rights for Unaccompanied Minors Training
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Presenter: Stacey Violante Cote, MSW, JD, Deputy Director, Center for Children's Advocacy
This training will provide participants with information about the legal rights of youth and young adults. Topics covered include minors’ access to healthcare, including mental healthcare & reproductive healthcare, living options for minors, access to identity documents, benefits and housing. Lastly, this session will also review the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness.
Participants will gain an understanding of the legal issues affecting minors and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Participants will also strategize about advocacy steps to assist young people.
YAS 101: Understanding DMHAS Young Adult Services for Homeless Service Providers
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Presenters:
Stephanie Zanker-Rivera, MS, LPC
Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor/Director Young Parents Program
Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services
Office of the Commissioner/Young Adult Services
Tricia Tardif, LCSW
Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services
Join us for a foundational webinar introducing the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Young Adult Services (YAS) program. YAS is a specialized statewide division providing intensive, individualized, and trauma-informed support to young adults ages 18–25 with significant mental health needs, including many transitioning from the Department of Children & Families (DCF). This webinar will offer homeless service providers a practical overview of YAS—what it is, who it serves, how to access services, and what supports are available. This session is designed to provide a better understanding of YAS to strengthen collaboration, improve navigation across systems, and enhance support for young adults experiencing homelessness.
Supporting Older Adults in Homeless and Housing Programs: Addressing Hoarding and Bullying
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:00am - 11:30am
Presenter: Amy Dumont, LCSW, Behavioral Health Clinical Manager, Department of Mental Health and Addiction
This training focuses on the growing need to effectively support older adults in homeless and housing programs, with particular attention to hoarding and bullying as critical, age-related challenges. Hoarding disorder is a significant and often under-recognized risk factor for housing instability, eviction, and barriers to housing placement, and can create serious health and safety concerns within congregate and independent living environments.
At the same time, bullying among older adults is an emerging issue in shelter and shared housing settings. Experiences of intimidation, conflict, or social exclusion can lead older adults to avoid entering shelter, disengage from services, or leave housing prematurely, increasing their risk of ongoing homelessness.
Participants will learn to identify early warning signs of hoarding behaviors and peer conflict, understand underlying causes such as trauma, loss, and cognitive or health-related changes, and examine the impact on both residents and staff. The session will provide practical, trauma-informed strategies for response, including de-escalation, boundary-setting, and when to escalate concerns.
The training will also highlight the importance of collaboration and referrals, and equip staff with proactive, transferable skills to support housing stability, community safety, and sustained engagement among older adults.