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The Curriculum

Four modules, designed to be taken in sequence.

Each module runs 90–120 minutes and combines facilitated instruction, case studies, and structured role-play. Available live virtual, in-person, or self-paced through the MSWorx Learning platform.

01
90 min

Understanding the 2026 Landscape and Redefining Case Management

Ground staff in the reality of the anticipated 2026 HUD NOFO changes. Demystify the shift from low-barrier Housing First toward high-requirement transitional and supportive models, and help staff process their own reactions so they can effectively guide their clients.

Learning objectives
  • Understand the core policy shifts expected in the 2026 HUD NOFO, including mandatory service participation and the 40-hour customized service expectation.
  • Explore the historical context of Transitional Housing and accountability models in homeless services.
  • Redefine the role of the case manager: balancing advocacy and empathy with compliance and accountability.
Skills covered
  • Policy Translation
    Explain complex funding requirements to clients in clear, accessible language.
  • Professional Grounding
    Manage personal biases and burnout when enforcing rules that conflict with previous training.
02
120 min

The Framework of Accountability — Setting Expectations Early

Difficult conversations are easier when expectations are clear from the start. This module focuses on intake and orientation — establishing firm boundaries and clear participation requirements without compromising a trauma-informed approach.

Learning objectives
  • Integrate trauma-informed care principles with strict program compliance.
  • Conduct intake sessions that clearly outline mandatory participation in services such as substance use treatment and job training.
  • Create collaborative Participation Agreements that secure client buy-in.
Skills covered
  • Trauma-Informed Boundary Setting
    Establish rules in a way that provides safety and predictability rather than triggering trauma responses.
  • Motivational Interviewing Foundations
    Use open-ended questions and affirmations to elicit a client's intrinsic motivation to participate.
03
120 min

Navigating Difficult Conversations and Non-Compliance

When clients fail to meet program requirements, staff must intervene. This module provides a step-by-step framework for addressing non-compliance, managing defensiveness, and having difficult conversations that lead to course correction rather than program discharge.

Learning objectives
  • Identify the root causes of non-compliance — systemic barriers, mental health crises, misunderstandings.
  • Master the Situation–Behavior–Impact feedback model tailored for vulnerable populations.
  • De-escalate conflicts when clients react defensively to accountability measures.
Skills covered
  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing
    Roll with resistance and develop discrepancy when a client is not meeting requirements.
  • De-escalation Techniques
    Manage emotional dysregulation during compliance conversations.
  • The Warm Handoff to Accountability
    Structure a conversation that begins with empathy, clearly states the requirement, and ends with collaborative problem-solving.
04
90 min

Sustaining Engagement and Documenting Compliance

The new NOFO landscape will require rigorous documentation to prove that clients are meeting participation thresholds. This module trains staff to keep clients engaged over the long term and to document their efforts in audit-ready case notes.

Learning objectives
  • Maintain client motivation when fatigue sets in.
  • Understand the critical importance of documentation in a compliance-heavy environment.
  • Translate difficult conversations and client progress into objective, audit-ready case notes.
Skills covered
  • Strength-Based Case Noting
    Document non-compliance and corrective actions objectively and professionally.
  • Goal Scaffolding
    Break down large mandates — like 40 hours of weekly participation — into manageable daily and weekly tasks.
  • Self-Care for Staff
    Strategies for managing the emotional toll of enforcing strict requirements on highly vulnerable individuals.
Who it’s for

Built for the people who hold the conversation.

Case Managers
Housing Navigators
Shelter & Transitional Housing Staff
Outreach Workers
Program Supervisors
Program Directors

Want to tailor the modules for your program type?
Talk to a curriculum planner.

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