Infestations such as bed bugs, lice, and scabies are often closely tied to housing instability and can disproportionately impact individuals experiencing homelessness. Beyond the physical effects, infestations are heavily stigmatized, which can lead to shame, delayed reporting, and barriers to accessing care and services.

This live training will explore common infestations in the context of homelessness, including how they spread, key signs and symptoms, and their impact on physical and mental health. The session will also examine how stigma shows up in service settings and how it can unintentionally affect engagement, trust, and quality of care.

Participants will learn practical, frontline strategies to recognize potential infestations, respond appropriately, and communicate with clients in a respectful, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental way. The training will also cover how to support clients in navigating available resources, including treatment and remediation, while maintaining dignity and minimizing harm.

By the end of the session, attendees will have a stronger understanding of infestations within this context and actionable tools to reduce stigma, improve service delivery, and support healthier outcomes for the individuals they serve.