To prepare for your journey as a Host, it’s vital that you have the right tools and resources present when a young adult moves into your home. All Host families must complete training and verify their credentials before being matched with a young adult. This training is provided to Host families to facilitate a trauma-informed approach when interacting with the young adult they are hosting.

As a Host, you will play a supporting role in a young adult’s life. It’s important to recognize that they may join your family with a vastly different life experience. They may have also experienced physical and emotional traumas that will have a lasting effect on their life. Ultimately, we want our Host families to feel prepared to build a healthy relationship built on trust, care, and compassion.

Training

Upon completion of an interview with program staff, we ask Hosts to register in the Y’s volunteer database to gain access to online training.

Once you have registered, we will present you with the required online training and credentials. All Host training is accessible online and can be completed within two weeks. Our training covers a range of topics, including:

• Abuse prevention and awareness
• Keeping your Host Home/Foster program safe
• Providing trauma-informed care to youth and young adults

Credentials

To ensure the safety of all participants, all Hosts and individuals who are 18+ and residing in the host home must complete a background check. Luckily, we’ve made this process easy! Volunteers can submit a background check through the Y’s volunteer site and will receive confirmation from our staff once the background check has finished processing. Participants must also complete a background check to be eligible for placement.

Per YMCA policy, all Host families must also provide proof of vaccination (Tdap and MMR) unless exempt for religious or medical reasons. You can submit your vaccinations through the Y’s volunteer site as well.

Hosts are also required to submit three character references so we can ensure Host Homes is a good fit for you and your family. References may be friends, colleagues, or even family members.

We know that opening your heart and home to a young adult can be a daunting experience. By completing our training series, you can equip yourself with the right tools to provide your new guest with a safe and supportive environment to flourish. Our staff will be with you every step of the way to help you feel as confident and prepared as possible as you begin your journey as a Host!

Learn more about Host Homes or contact us today through this simple form to start the process of becoming a host.