As California faces a growing homelessness crisis, Santa Monica College is launching a new Homeless Service Work Certificate program, the first of its kind in the state.
The new curriculum, which will start next fall, will offer scholarships to 25 students to help with issues related to housing policy, health care equity and the evolution of homelessness.
“When I walk, I pass so many people who are unhoused, but unfortunately what happens is people move from place to place, but they don’t move to a place where they have shelter,” says Dr. Nancy Greenstein, an SMC trustee who is the driving force behind the program.
There are currently 1,300 entry-level homeless services positions unfilled in Los Angeles County. Experts say that the filled vacancies have a painfully high turnover.
“We are desperate for staff to enter the space with a basic understanding of what it takes to do this work on a daily basis,” said Celina Alvarez, SMC adjunct faculty member.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is funding the program with a $750,000 grant, hoping that graduates of the certificate will have the skills to be successful in helping others.
