Frequently Asked Questions
Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is regularly updated to reflect the latest information and organizational improvements. Be sure to check back often for the most current answers to your inquiries
While IDEA Training Collaborative's primary focus is to provide training for staff working in the Toronto Shelter, Respite, and Drop-In sectors, we also accept individuals and organizations outside of these areas. However, priority for all IDEA training is given to our mandated agencies.
We recognize the importance of offering valuable information to those working with vulnerable populations and are committed to sharing that knowledge. Please note, our training topics are based on the Toronto Shelter Standards.
All registrations must be completed through the IDEA Training Portal. To register for a session, you must have a registered account, either as an individual or under an organization (e.g., your employer). Click here to learn more about how to create your account.
Training rates vary depending on the workshop. Most of our instructor-led one-day courses are $120, while two-day and blended workshops generally range from $250 to $350. Fees for self-paced courses range from $75 to $120. All course fees are listed in the Training Portal next to each course. For detailed information on specific course costs, please log into your Training Portal account.
Similar to registrations, memberships are available for individuals or organizations/agencies. Individual memberships are offered at a rate of $65 per year. Organization/agency membership fees are determined on a sliding scale based on the size of the organization.
We understand that it can be frustrating, and we strive to offer popular trainings regularly throughout our training calendars. You are welcome to contact THTC a few days before a session to check if there have been any last-minute cancellations.
Our training sessions have capacities based on optimal engagement and participation. Additionally, our in-person sessions have a capacity determined by the physical space limitations.
Feel free to reach out to inquire about future training sessions or similar offerings.
Unfortunately, the Training Centre typically does not maintain a waitlist, unless a training has been rescheduled under special circumstances.
IDEA Training Collaborative is located at 65 Wellesley Street East, Suite 501, Toronto, ON M4Y 1G7.
The building entrance is located off Wellesley St. E. Upon entering, head to the elevators and take one to the fifth floor. Once you exit the elevator, turn left and continue around the corner to find the entrance to our office.
The building and office doors are equipped with automatic openers for accessibility. Male and female washrooms (available only with a key from IDEA) are located on the fifth floor, while accessible and gender-neutral washrooms (available only with a key fob from IDEA) are located on the third floor of the building.
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you plan to visit the IDEA Training Collaborative office, please contact us to make an appointment. Kindly note that staff may not always be available, and making an appointment ensures that staff will be available to assist with your in-person request.
- The IDEA Training Collaborative office is not available for in-person appointments on Mondays.
- Walk-in Hours (no appointment required): Tuesday & Friday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
- The Collaborative is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.
If you cannot attend a workshop you’ve registered for, you have a few options:
Reschedule your registration: To avoid being charged the full cost with no option, please provide written rescheduling notice at least five (5) business days before the workshop (excluding weekends and statutory holidays). We do not offer refunds. However, you may reschedule your registration within five (5) business days of the course for an administrative fee of $20. Please contact us to make rescheduling arrangements.
Send an alternate: If you cannot attend, an alternate can attend in your place for an administrative fee of $10 per person. Please contact us via email to register the alternate.
- Request an extension (for self-paced courses only): You have thirty (30) days from the time of purchase to complete your course. Extensions of up to an additional thirty (30) days can be accommodated upon request.
For assistance or to make changes, please reach out to us at [email protected].
The IDEA Training Collaborative begins live in-person and live online workshops on time.
If you arrive or log on later than thirty (30) minutes past the start time of the scheduled session, you will not be issued a certificate of attendance and/or may be refused admittance. This policy also applies to leaving the workshop early or exiting the session while it is still ongoing.
If you do not receive a certificate of attendance due to late arrival, the workshop is considered incomplete and the full cost of the workshop will still apply. Similarly, if you are refused admittance due to late arrival, the full cost of the workshop will apply.
If you wish to contest any of the Training Collaborative’s policies, submit the complaint in writing to the Executive Director within 30 days of the event. Otherwise, the request will not be considered. If chargeback fees are waived, only a credit will be issued.
Please note that all requests will be verified with the employee’s supervisor.
All decisions are final. For more information, please refer to the Collaborative’s complaint procedure.
Please refer to the Agency Training section of the website for more information.
Please see the ROOM RENTAL section of the website.
While we do provide participants with use of the fridge, sink, and water cooler, we do NOT supply cutlery, cups, or dishware. Visitors must bring their own reusable water bottles and utensils.
At this time, the IDEA Training Collaborative does not offer training sessions during the evening or on weekends. Our sessions are typically held during regular business hours, Tuesday to Friday, as Mondays are designated administrative days. We can sometimes accommodate Monday training sessions for agency training if required. Please contact us in advance to discuss availability.
IDEA Training Collaborative trainings are offered in the following formats:
Instructor-led:
- Calendar sessions: Available to individuals and small groups (up to 4 people from organizations).
- Agency-specific sessions: Tailored training for a specific agency or organization.
Self-paced e-learning: Available for purchase and to be completed at your own pace within thirty (30) days of purchase.
The mode (live online via Zoom or live in-person) and location (our office or in the community) will be listed in the session description.
The IDEA Training Collaborative reserves the right to change workshops, dates, fees, and regulations at any time, and to cancel workshops if enrollment is insufficient. In the event of a cancellation, the Training Collaborative will only be responsible for crediting the workshop fees.
Due to insurance and liability policies, the IDEA Training Collaborative can only provide training for individuals who are 18 years or older. Unfortunately, we do not offer babysitting services for classroom training, and children are not permitted to attend sessions with their caregiver.
The building is accessible, featuring two elevators and an all-gender accessible washroom located on the third floor.
If additional assistance is required, please inform IDEA Training Collaborative staff by emailing [email protected].
Note: Confirmed participants requiring special accommodations for either classroom or live online training should contact the Training Collaborative at [email protected], preferably at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled training session.
When you complete a training session and all required elements, such as quizzes, assignments, feedback, etc., you will receive a certificate of achievement through the IDEA Training Portal. The certificate will include your name (as entered in the Portal), the course name, the date of the course, the instructor's name, and the date of issue.
Certificates in the portal will remain available until they expire (expiry dates vary depending on the course).
Before the launch of the portal, IDEA staff would send PDF certificates via email.
First, please ensure you are contacting the appropriate staff member. For more information on who to reach for a specific inquiry, visit our Contact Us page.
Second, kindly limit your calls to one per inquiry, and avoid calling our entire directory.
If you call and staff are unavailable, please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, and the nature of your call. We cannot return calls without proper contact information in the voicemail.
IDEA Training Collaborative staff are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, staff may be in meetings or out in the community, which may prevent them from answering their phones. This is why it’s important to call one person once per inquiry. Our typical response time is 1-3 business days, though it may take longer during busier periods (February-May and October-November). If you haven't received a response within a week, please feel free to call again or send an email.
Please refer to our policy on certificate distribution. Starting March 1, 2025, all active certificates will be available on the IDEA Training Portal. These certificates will remain accessible in the portal until they expire (expiry dates vary depending on the course).
Before the portal was launched, IDEA staff would send PDF certificates via email. It is the responsibility of the individual and/or agency to keep track of these certificates.
If you need to replace your certificate, please refer to our certificate replacement policy. IDEA Training Collaborative will not re-send expired certificates.
The Toronto Shelter Standards (TSS) provide City of Toronto-funded shelter providers and clients with a clear set of expectations, guidelines and minimum requirements for the delivery of shelter services in Toronto. All emergency and transitional shelters funded or directly operated by the City of Toronto, are expected to meet the minimum service standards outlined in the Toronto Shelter Standards, as updated in 2022. Mandatory standards related to Confronting Anti-Black Racism were also released in December 2023.
The Toronto Shelter Standards Training Matrix is a framework that outlines the required training topics and competencies for staff working in shelters, respite services, and drop-ins within Toronto. It is designed to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the shelter standards set by the city. The matrix helps organizations track and plan employee training to ensure compliance with these standards and best practices when working with vulnerable populations.
To receive an invoice for education funds from Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), please follow these steps:
- Choose your desired courses from our available training sessions.
- Contact us with the details of the courses you've selected, and we will prepare an invoice for you.
Once we have your course selection, we will generate the invoice and send it to you for use with your worker. If you need assistance or have any questions, please email us at [email protected], and we will be happy to assist you.