Preventing Youth Homelessness and School Disengagement
The training provides an introduction to the Upstream Canada model, a prevention-focused initiative aimed at preventing youth homelessness and school disengagement through early identification. Participants will learn how community-based organizations and schools can provide young people and their families and natural supports with individualized, culturally appropriate wraparound support.
The Upstream Canada model is built on the principles of strengthening community partnerships and fostering collaboration to address the risks associated with youth homelessness and school disengagement. As an early intervention, the Upstream Canada model also supports the broader goal of building capacity to prevent and end youth homelessness.
What You Can Expect:
Learn about early intervention using an evidence-informed assessment tool
Explore methods for fostering collaborative partnerships within the community.
Discover the guiding principles and practices behind successful early intervention initiatives
Who is this course for?
Community providers and educators – you want to enhance your understanding of interventions focused on preventing youth homelessness and school disengagement.
Funders and policymakers – you want to know how community partners, the education sector and governments can work together to address youth homelessness in schools.
This training includes:
- 6 Interactive lessons
- 1 Case study to illustrate practices
- Self-assessment, feedback and reflection activities
- Course certificate upon completion
Participants typically complete this self-paced course in about 2 to 3 hours.
TRAINING content
Introduction
TRAINING INCLUDES
- 9 Lessons
- 1 Quiz
- Certificate of Completion
Acknowledgments
Upstream Canada is a social innovation model led by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and A Way Home Canada to prevent youth homelessness and school disengagement. Upstream Canada is an adaptation of work originating in Australia as The Geelong Project (renamed Upstream Canada Australia), which has been modified for the Canadian context. Upstream Canada currently operates in two Canadian communities, Kelowna, British Columbia and St. John’s, Newfoundland. While this online training provides an overview of the Upstream Canada model, completion of the course does not authorize participants to implement the program.
Learn more about the Upstream Canada program model at homelesshub.ca/Upstream-Canada.
© 2025 | Canadian Observatory on Homelessness