Lessons learned from the implementation of an intersectoral cross-training approach to improve justice outcomes for homeless adults with mental illness

Purpose

This paper describes lessons learned from the implementation and evaluation of a cross-training event that was held in response to continuing education needs expressed by stakeholders of health, social, justice and public safety sectors regarding individuals who experience multiple exclusion homelessness.

Method

The intersectoral training was documented through the administration of online questionnaires on cross-sector practices, clinical vignettes, an appreciation questionnaire in addition to the use of a Lessons Learned framework through the planning, implementation and evaluation phases.

Discussion

The results indicate no significant differences before and after the training on the participants' knowledge of one's and others' roles and responsibilities, available resources and helpful practices, but a significant improvement in the perceived benefits of cross-sector practice in terms of knowledge and understanding of other contexts of practice and other actors' interventions.

Conclusions

The Lessons Learned framework was useful to identify factors supporting the implementation of cross-sector training. Structural and systemic factors, such as silos between research and practice, and tensions between social justice and public safety roles, emerged as barriers to cross-sector learning.