A cluster analysis of service utilization and incarceration among homeless youth

Abstract

Our paper examines service usage (e.g., shelter) as well as a typology of individuals who are most likely to use groupings of services among 249 homeless youth. Our results revealed that the majority of homeless young people have used food programs (66%) and street outreach (65%) on at least one occasion within the past year. Cluster analysis of services revealed four distinct groups: (1) basic survival service use, characterized by above average shelter, food, and outreach service use, but below average on counseling, substance abuse/ mental health services, and incarceration; (2) multiple service use, which included above average use of all six services; (3) incarceration experience, characterized by above average incarceration experience, but below average use of all other five services; and (4) minimal service use, which included slightly above average use of counseling, but below average use of all other services. These findings have the potential to provide important information that may assist with targeting services to homeless youth.

Facilitators and Barriers of Drop-In Center Use Among Homeless Youth

“…Kort-Butler and Tyler [31] conducted an analysis of homeless youth grouped by service utilization clusters and found that youth that only used services to get their basic needs met (i.e, shelters and outreach/food programs typical of drop-in centers) differed from those who did not use any services and from those who used multiple types of services available to them (e.g., counseling, mental health/substance use services). For example, those who only used services to get their basic needs met were more likely to report recent employment, older age, more nights on the street, more physical victimization of the street, and more criminal behavior than youth that reported very little use of any services at drop-in centers and elsewhere.…”

“…Researchers surveying 249 youth recruited from shelters and the street in three Midwestern cities found that youth are most likely to report use of outreach services typical to drop-in centers, such as food programs and street outreach, than other services like shelters and counseling services [31]. In a sample of 83 homeless youth interviewed in Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA, researchers found that the majority of youth used drop-in centers (58%) or food programs (54%), while less than half used counseling centers (40%) or shelters (36%) [32].…”

A group-based motivational interviewing brief intervention to reduce substance use and sexual risk behavior among homeless young adults

“…Drop-in centers offer services to address the basic needs of homeless youth such as food and hygiene, as well as case management and other programs to meet health and social service needs. Homeless youth are more likely to use drop-in centers than other types of services such as shelters (Kort-Butler & Tyler, 2012) and thus represent a site to reach homeless youth who may not seek care elsewhere (Pedersen, Tucker, & Kovalchik, 2016). Individuals were eligible if they were ages 18–25, seeking services at one of the drop-in centers, planned to be in the study area for the next month, and could be reached by e-mail or phone for follow-up.…”

Group motivational interviewing for homeless young adults: Associations of change talk with substance use and sexual risk behavior.

“…Drop-in centers offer services to address the basic needs of homeless youth such as food and hygiene, as well as case management and other programs to meet health and social service needs. Homeless youth are more likely to use drop-in centers than other types of services such as shelters and AOD treatment (Kort-Butler & Tyler, 2012; Pergamit & Ernst, 2010); thus drop-in centers represent a place to reach those youth who may not seek care elsewhere (Pedersen, Tucker, & Kovalchik, 2016). …”