Outreach and Engagement in Homeless Services: A Review of the Literature~!2009-08-18~!2009-09-28~!2010-03-22~!

Abstract

Outreach and engagement are regarded by many who work in homeless programs as essential services. Outreach on the streets and in shelters is often the first point of contact for people who are not served by traditional sitebased services and is often the first step in engaging homeless people in services. While outreach and engagement are critical components of the response to homelessness, consensus is lacking about the nature and effectiveness of these services. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is known about outreach and engagement for people experiencing homelessness. The authors review quantitative studies that examine outcomes and augment this understanding with information from qualitative studies and non-research literature. The latter provides information about the goals of outreach, assumptions and values, staffing issues, and consumer involvement. The paper concludes with implications for practice, policy, and research.

The prevalence of autistic traits in a homeless population

“…This intensive process requires a high degree of engagement from the person being assessed, and from someone who knew them as a child. Difficulties with engagement are ubiquitous in work with homeless people (Kryda and Compton, 2009;Olivet et al, 2010) and gaining any kind of history can be extremely difficult in this group, as they have often lost contact with family and friends (Roll, Toro, and Ortola, 1999). Other factors such as high rates of substance misuse, mental health problems, and a disjointed social environment all also complicate the process of assessment (Fazel et al, 2014).…”

“…This likely, in part, reflects the considerable challenges of assessing autism in homeless adults. Many homeless people are reluctant to engage with professionals, reports from relatives are often impossible to attain, presentations are complicated by co-occurring difficulties (e.g., mental health problems, substance misuse), and no homeless-specific measurement instruments have been validated (Kryda and Compton, 2009;Olivet et al, 2010;Fazel et al, 2014;Sappok et al, 2015). To address some of these challenges we collected data using a keyworker interview, which we call the 'DSM-5 Autistic Traits in the Homeless Interview' (DATHI).…”

Engaging homeless individuals in discussion about their food experiences to optimise wellbeing: A pilot study

“…Community engagement interventions have been shown to influence health behaviours and self-efficacy (O'Mara Eves et al, 2015), with specific attention paid to social inequalities: social capital, cohesion and empowerment (Popay et al 2007). The particular causal pathway(s) are only minimally considered, however, so the precise mode of influence on health inequalities remains unclear, and there has been little research on engagement approaches involving homeless populations (Olivet et al, 2010).…”

Reducing veteran homelessness in Washington, DC

“…PPR promotes innovation and response as means of finding creative ways of reaching veterans who are homeless. Mobilizing services to homeless sites have been successful in past efforts, and this practice has increased support to veterans experiencing homelessness (Olivet, Bassuk, Elstad, Kenney, & Jassil, 2010 …”