LIFT Academy Resources

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Any and all resources that are shared throughout the LIFT Academy will be posted here. Check back regularly to see the tools, frameworks, and other products that are shared via the Virtual Assemblies, Learning Circles, and in-person convenings.

Virtual Assemblies & Learning Circles

🗓️ Upcoming:
We are excited to share our curriculum in 2026, and look forward to having you join us! Thank you for your ongoing focus and dedication to mission-driven impact.

First Time Federal Applicants + Emerging Communities. Thursday, April 16th, 2026. 11am – 12:30pm MT. (Learning Circle) This session is designed for new or emerging programs – whether they are new to public funding or to homelessness services – to work through the practical administrative requirements that come with different funding sources. The training will focus on concrete operational tools such as invoicing, documentation, record-keeping, and compliance expectations, while situating these requirements within a broader operational-excellence framework. Rather than treating administration as something to “figure out later,” the session emphasizes using program excellence as the anchor for funding, staffing, and grant decisions – recognizing that not all dollars are the same, and that each funding source comes with distinct rules and tradeoffs. Participants will be invited to submit questions in advance so the session can directly address the real operational decisions they are facing, helping programs move away from vibes-based decision-making and toward intentional, sustainable choices. Register here.

Leveraging CO HMIS Tracking to Increase Housing Outcomes. Thursday, April 30, 2026. 11am-12:30pm MT. (Virtual Assembly). This session will focus on leveraging the Colorado HMIS to its full flexibility and functionality, moving beyond basic data entry to support stronger program operations and coordination. Shaped by OHI’s statewide HMIS goals and objectives, the training will cover the full breadth of what HMIS can do, including effective use of case notes, uploading and storing vital documents, incorporating scanned ID cards and file documentation, and strategies to avoid double data entry across systems. The session will also address how HMIS can and should interface with EHR systems, helping programs better align service delivery, documentation, and reporting. Overall, the training is designed to help providers fully utilize HMIS as an operational tool – not just a compliance requirement – recognizing that many programs are not yet using the system to its full potential. Register here.

Program Peer Learning: Rapid Rehousing. Friday, May 15, 2026. 11am -12:30 MT (Learning Circle) This peer learning circle will bring together providers implementing or planning Rapid Re-Housing to share practical strategies, troubleshoot common challenges, and learn from one another’s experience. The focus will be on real-world implementation tactics – such as landlord engagement, right-sizing financial assistance, balancing housing stability with participant self-sufficiency, and adapting program design to local market conditions. Through facilitated discussion and shared problem-solving, participants will explore what is working, where programs are getting stuck, and how to refine Rapid Re-Housing strategies to improve exits to permanent housing and long-term stability. The learning circle is designed to move beyond theory, creating a space for candid exchange and actionable takeaways that providers can apply immediately in their programs. Register here.


đź•“ Past Sessions:

Thursday, March 26th, 2026: Panel Discussion: Best Practices in Emergency Shelter. (Learning Circle) Emergency shelter is often the first step on someone’s path to stability — but how can we make sure it’s not the last? This Learning Circle invites THR recipients to actively explore how shelters can be more than just a place to sleep — becoming spaces that prioritize dignity, safety, and rapid pathways to housing. Through peer learning and guided discussion, this training will help shelter teams identify opportunities to enhance service delivery, improve coordination with housing and treatment partners, and support staff in delivering responsive, person-centered care. By the end of the training, participants will leave with actionable ideas they can implement immediately to strengthen program quality. Watch the recording and review the deck. 

Thursday, March 12th, 2026: Leveraging Treatment Systems to Increase Housing Stability. (Virtual Assembly) Stable housing is most successful when people have the support they need to maintain it over time. Too often, housing and services are treated as separate systems, limiting their impact. This webinar will explore how supportive services can be intentionally embedded throughout homeless and housing programs to improve stability and long-term outcomes. Participants will hear from agencies effectively braiding housing and treatment supports, learn practical strategies for coordinating across systems, and gain insights into approaches that better meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Watch the recording and review the deck. 

Wednesday, February 25th, 2026: Panel Discussion: How to Increase Staff Stability. (Learning Circle) Recruiting and retaining skilled, committed staff remains one of the most pressing challenges facing homelessness service providers. Teams in this field navigate persistent pressures, including burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and high turnover, often while operating within constrained resources. This learning circle convened leaders and subject-matter experts to share practical, actionable strategies for building a stable, resilient workforce. Participants explored approaches to developing competitive and equitable compensation structures, strengthening leadership at all levels, and cultivating a strengths-based, people-first organizational culture. Together, these strategies aim to support staff well-being, enhance retention, and create environments where people can thrive in this challenging and essential work. Watch the recording and/or review the deck.

Thursday, February 19th, 2026: What Works: Using Housing to Increase Emergency Response Outcomes. (Virtual Assembly). A significant portion of people experiencing homelessness intersect with emergency systems, from law enforcement to emergency medical care. These systems are designed to respond to crises but do not address the underlying cause of the crises, which is often connected to someone’s lack of stable housing. This webinar series will explore practical, win-win strategies that homeless service providers can use to strengthen partnerships with emergency response systems, reduce unnecessary crisis interventions, and improve housing-focused outcomes for the people they serve. Participants will learn approaches that both support clients and create more efficient, collaborative pathways between housing services and emergency response systems. Watch the recording and/or review the deck. 

Wednesday, February 11th, 2026: Panel Discussion: How Street Outreach Can Support Communities. (Learning Circle). This virtual session brought street outreach providers from across the state together for peer learning and practical problem-solving. Participants explored strategies such as developing joint outreach protocols, strengthening warm handoff systems, and partnering with first responders to divert people from the streets into appropriate housing and services. Through panelist presentations and open discussion, participants learned about a range of street outreach models and left with shared insights and actionable takeaways to strengthen outreach programs and increase housing outcomes. Watch the recording and/or review the deck.

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025: Motivational Interviewing (Learning Circle). Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative communication style designed to help individuals discover their own motivation for change. MI techniques are grounded in practical strategies and guided by four key processes: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. While the approach may seem straightforward, mastering it requires skill and practice. Dr. Linda Abadjian introduced the foundational techniques and core communication skills of MI. Through empathy, collaboration, and reflective listening, you can learn the beginning steps to facilitate meaningful conversations that empower people to achieve their desired changes, both personally and professionally. This training can be applied both within your organization to support your team and in client work to enhance your effectiveness in guiding change. This session will focus on building a solid understanding of the fundamentals, rather than practicing hands-on skills. Watch the recording and/or review the deck.  

Wednesday, November 19, 2025: Defining Program Success (Virtual Assembly).
Enjoy watching this powerful session on setting clear, evidence-based outcome goals that drive real results. Using HUD’s HMIS performance measures and national trends, we break down what success looks like for each Colorado THR program type — from emergency shelter and outreach to housing. You can also view a demo of the HMIS system! Watch the recording and/or review the deck. The citations for the research that was shared during the presentation can be found here.  

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025: (Friendly!) Shark Tank (Learning Circle) THR Grantees and Emerging Communities participated in the (Friendly!) Shark Tank! Brave presenters pitched their boldest concepts or funding requests to a panel of “sharks” and received live feedback on feasibility, alignment, and creativity. Although the “pitches” were not recorded, the feedback is very insightful Watch the recording and/or review the deck.  

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025: Deeper Dive: Financial Strategies Based on Member Feedback (Virtual Assembly). This training session builds on the financial content LIFT has shared to date, with a focus on what THR members have specifically asked for. SHG will offer a hands-on, tailored exploration of key financial strategies—including earned revenue models, leveraging Medicaid, increasing private donations, building business partnerships, and other tools nonprofits should be using to boost sustainability. We’ll dive into real budget scenarios, unpack what’s working (and what’s not), and use your feedback to shape content that supports your organization’s next bold financial step. Watch the recording and/or review the deck. 

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025: Earned Revenue Models and Approaches (Learning Circle). Get inspired by trailblazers who’ve cracked the code on earned revenue! This dynamic panel features real-world examples from leaders who’ve built innovative, mission-aligned revenue streams that go beyond traditional fundraising. Hear how they’re balancing financial sustainability with impact, and walk away with ideas you can tailor to your own work. Watch the recording and/or review the deck.

August 7th: Nonprofit Finance Resiliency & Funding Diversification 101 (Virtual Assembly). Building financial stability within an organization is a dynamic and ongoing challenge, especially in times of uncertainty and change.   In this two-part webinar, part one will examine key foundational elements that support long-term financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and planning and part two will review the current landscape of nonprofit funding opportunities and help identify funding sources that best align with your organization’s needs. If you missed the Virtual Assembly led by Tanya Smith-Evans, watch the recording and review the deck. Also, there were several resources that were shared:

We ran out of time on August 7th to complete the full presentation; you can view a supplemental video here and the accompanying worksheets here.

July 23rd, 2025: The Intersection of Medicaid & Homelessness. Medicaid can be a game-changer when it comes to financing your programs, and it can feel like a complex maze that is impossible to navigate and administer. We will be joined by several members of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to discuss how Medicaid can be leveraged to scale your programs. We will discuss the requirements for setting up billing, the risks and benefits of using the funding, and what it would mean for your organization internally. 

If you missed this Virtual Assembly, watch the recording and review the deck!

LIFT Off! Launch Event on May 20th, 2025:

Attendees got to know their new classmates, build relationships, and gain an understanding of what to expect throughout their involvement in the LIFT Academy. The deck from the meeting is here. The questions raised during the event and the corresponding answers are here. 

The morning included an overview of the LIFT Academy and the State of Homelessness in Colorado. View the recording here.

The second half of the morning was focused on an Introduction to the 3 Pillars: Programmatic Excellence, Funding Sustainability, and Intentional Inputs.

A panel of funders during the lunch hour provided insights into their observations and words of advice.