The Process and Outcomes of a Multimethod Needs Assessment at a Homeless Shelter

Abstract

Many factors contribute to homelessness, including extreme poverty, extended periods of unemployment, shortages of low-income housing, deinstitutionalization, and substance abuse. As a result, the needs of people who are homeless are broad and complex. This needs assessment used literature reviews, review of local documents and reports, participant observation, locus groups, and reflective journals to guide the development of an occupational performance skills program at one homeless shelter in south Florida. Through these methods, the role of occupational therapy was extended beyond direct service to include program and resource development, staff education, advocacy, and staff-resident mediation. The findings of the needs assessment and the actions taken as a result of this work point to the huge potential for occupational therapists and students to work together with staff and residents of homeless shelters.

Rol de los terapeutas ocupacionales en el trabajo con personas en situación de calle en Chile: aportes y dificultades desde la disciplina. Una revisión bibliográfica.

“…Actualmente la proporción de mujeres, niños, y familias de la población sin hogar están en aumento constante (Finlayson, et al, 2002). Schultz-Krohn (2004), enfatiza el impacto que provoca en las familias el quedarse sin hogar, principalmente en las rutinas, organización y roles de cada individuo que conforma el sistema familiar, en especial roles parentales.…”

“…Otros artículos centran las causas en factores de riesgo como la pobreza extrema, largos periodos de desempleo, la escasez de vivienda de interés social, desinstitucionalización y empleos en trabajos de baja categoría con salarios bajos (Applewaite, 1997; Citado por Finlayson, et al, 2002).…”

“…Se estima además que un 15-30%, de la población sin hogar tiene una enfermedad mental grave y persistente, esquizofrenia o trastorno bipolar. Y que alrededor de un 20% tiene un doble diagnóstico de abuso de sustancias y enfermedades mentales graves (Finlayson, et al, 2002;Grandisson et al, 2009;Griner, 2006;Herzberg & Finlayson, 2001;Parmenter, Barham & Fieldhouse., 2013;Shordike & Howell, 2002;Swenson, Bunch-Harrison, Brumbaugh, Kutty & FitzGerald, 2005).…”

“…No obstante, los miembros del personal y los residentes de hogares o albergues presentan un escaso conocimiento de la profesión (Finlayson, et al, 2002).…”

The Meaning of Computers to a Group of Men Who Are Homeless

“…Since that time, literature has addressed issues of: program needs from an occupational therapy perspective (Camardese & Youngman, 1996;Finlayson, Baker, Rodman, & Herzberg, 2002;Herzberg & Finlayson, 2001;Tryssenaar, Jones, & Lee, 1999); policy issues affecting the role of occupational therapy (Mitchell & Jones, 1997); posttraumatic stress disorder and life-skill deficits of homeless mentally ill women (Davis & Kutter, 1998); the relationship between developmental delays and successful work experiences for homeless adolescents (Kannenberg & Boyer, 1997); and shelter programs for homeless mothers and children (Stancliff, 1997). Kavanaugh and Fares (1995) suggested that occupational therapy helps homeless individuals improve their feelings of self-worth, increase their experience of success, and feelings of control.…”