RentWise Train-the-Trainer Workshop 9:00 am to 3:30 pm 12 slots still available --registration extended email Phyllis Onstad at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for registration form
On November 19th in Rochester there will be a regional train-the-trainer workshops for professionals who work with tenants and tenant issues. The training will prepare professionals and volunteers to teach tenants about decisions and behavior that impact their ability to secure and retain decent housing. RentWise teaches tenants to take responsibility for their housing needs and issues. The RentWise program specifically focuses on: * The importance of positive credit and rental histories, and the skills needed to build them. * Conducting successful searches for rental units. * Budgeting for housing expenses. * Becoming familiar with rental applications, rental agreements, and references required. * Developing skills in communication and conflict resolution. * Tenant responsibilities, including information efficient housekeeping. * Tenant rights. Many of the professionals who participate in the RentWise training work with clients that have poor credit and rental histories and are dealing with mental illnesses, chemical dependencies, domestic abuses, criminal histories and/or are low income. The train-the-trainer workshop equips housing advocates and professionals to teach and mentor different tenant audiences in work and community settings. Housing advocates can also use this information in case management and single, one-on-one lessons with their clients. There is a certificate available for those renters who complete the program. In fact, some landlords and property managers recognize the value of tenant education by offering rent reductions and giving preferences to applicants and tenants who have completed the program. When the RentWise program is implemented in a community as a 9-hour certificate program the teaching units are divided up and taught by various professionals often with 6 different speakers and a panel of landlords and a representative from legal aid. Having several people from a community attend this train the trainer workshop is important to divide up and share the work. Plus the contacts made at the training will help communities both round out their own program and share manageable responsibilities for their community program's implementation. The fee for the workshop is $80.00 which includes the $40 curriculum, participant handouts, training, and lunch. The training is subsidized by the University of MN Extension Service. Additional staff from any agency may attend for $40.00 which would cover the training fees but not an additional curriculum. Agencies must send at least one person at the $80 rate to receive a curriculum. If you wish to register please reply to this email with your fax number so we can fax you a registration form. It would be great if Winona County could have some bi-lingual participants as well so that they could come back and work with those often underserved audiences because of the language barrier. Many of you received a direct mailing about this training--- if you did not and want to be on a mailing list for upcoming training for transitioning or low income families respond to my email with you name and address etc.. Phyllis A. Onstad Extension Educator University of MN Extension Service County Office Bldg. 202 W 3rd St. Winona, MN 55987 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
