Homelessness

1. Homelessness HN115: UNIT 9 http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/changetheworld/tag/homeless-families Martin, M. E. (2011). Introduction to human services, through the eyes of practice settings. (2 ed.). Boston: Pearson.

2. Unit 9 Assignment: Option 1 (Site Visit) • The ideal way to learn about future career possibilities and the work that is done in human services agencies is to visit a facility. If you decide to complete Option 1 of this Assignment, you should arrange to visit a human service agency in your area. Many human service agencies will allow students to prearrange times for just such visits and observations. If you choose this option, it is imperative that you arrange for your visit days, even weeks, ahead. You can use this script to help you set up your visit. You will want to spend a minimum of one hour observing and taking notes. Be sure to bring a copy of the questions listed below, so you can jot down answers during your visit. • For your Unit 9 Assignment, you will write a two to three page paper that examines the following concepts, which will have been addressed throughout this course. • First, describe the needs of various populations served in the human services profession. Throughout this course you have discussed various populations: children and families, adolescents, the aging, the mentally ill, the homeless, the medically ill and substance abusers. Select at least three of these populations and describe some of the needs that they have. Then discuss the role of the human services professional in meeting those needs. This part of your Assignment should be at least one page. • Next, describe the environment of the site you visited and answer the following questions: • What does a typical work day look like for a human service worker working in this agency? • What are the job qualifications or requirements for human service workers in this agency? • What is the client population? • What is the main source of funding for this agency? • What is your conclusion regarding the quality of this facility? • How does this particular agency compare to other similar agencies found online and discussed in this course? What are the similarities? How is it different?

3. Unit 9 Assignment: Option 2 (Describe a HSP position) • Begin your paper with an introduction, and describe the needs of various populations served in the human services profession. Throughout this course you have discussed various populations: children and families, adolescents, the aging, the mentally ill, the homeless, the medically ill, and substance abusers. Select at least three of these populations and describe, in detail, some of the needs that they have. Then discuss the role of the human services professional in meeting those needs. This part of your assignment should be at least one page. • Then view at least three of the videos (including all questions and answers) found at the following link: • http://abavtooldev.pearsoncmg.com/release_myhelpinglab/helpinglab.php • Next, state the three videos you chose to view. Then, summarize one of the positions viewed in the videos. In your summary, be sure to give the background of the agency, some of the daily responsibilities of the chosen position, and whether or not you would be interested in working in this position and why. If these details were not given in full in the video, you must follow up with research on similar agencies found online. • In addition to your summaries, discuss additional career opportunities with the same population and what some of main issues are with the populations served in the chosen position. • Finally, focus on this position in a bit more detail in order to examine the following concepts, which will have been addressed throughout this course. • What do you believe a typical day might look like in this position? • What funding supports most agencies serving this population? What resources are available to clients as well as those serving this population? • What is your conclusion regarding job satisfaction for human service professionals choosing similar career paths?

4. A SnapShot of Homelessness in America • Homelessness is increasing in the US, particularly among families with children. • To confront the problem of homelessness, it must first be determined WHO is homeless. • Why is this a problem? • What does the term “the hidden homeless” refer to? • Most individuals who have experienced homelessness have done so on an intermittent basis where homelessness occurs in an ongoing cycle of temporary or tenuous housing leading to eventual homelessness due to economic instability. • Who are the chronically homeless? • 15% are vets • 4% are persons with HIV and unaccompanied youth, • 13% are victims of DV • 28% are suffering from severe mental illness • 39% have a chronic substance abuse problem http://www.beta-gibbs.pcsb.org/essays/13938.html

5. The Causes of Homelessness • In general, most people’s attitudes toward the poor and the homeless are negative, and the stigma that has always been associated with poverty seems to increase when the poor become homeless. • What are some commonly held beliefs about homeless individuals? • Research points to social and structural issues as the primary cause of poverty. • Can you give an example of a social or structural issue that might lead to poverty and/or homelessness? • What is the Fundamental Attribution Error? http://www.foreclosurelistings.com/

6. History of Homelessness in the US • Prior to the Middle Ages: the early church was responsible for the care of the poor, including those without homes. (The “deserving poor”. • Through the Middle Ages: the homeless population consisted primarily of the wandering poor, those individuals, most commonly men, who migrated for employment. • The English poor laws (which were adopted by many of the American colonies) (pg. 174) • Deserving vs. undeserving poor • 19th and early 20th Century: Homeless population still consisted primarily of men, either vagrant or migrant workers. • The Great Depression: Families began to appear on the homeless scene in significant numbers. • How did the Great Depression change the nation’s view on poverty and the homeless? http://rachel-rrc4.blogspot.com/

7. The Contemporary Picture of Homelessness • 1970s and 1980s saw a dramatic increase in the homelessness of families. • A study done in 1999 found that of all the homeless families, about 80% were headed by a single parent, and of these approximately 95% were female. • The great majority of homeless single mothers are approx 25 years old, with 2-3 children in the preschool to 6 years of age range. Majority of these single mothers are US Citizens, native born, and fluent in English. • How are the needs of a homeless family different that than those of a homeless individual? • What are some reasons we are seeing more homeless families on the street? (Pg. 177) http://www.gnhregionalalliance.org/home/who-is-homeless

8. Homeless Shelter living and academics for Families with Children • Many emergency shelters are not equipped to serve families. • What are some issues and problems logistically? • What impact does shelter life have the mother-child relationship? • How can we mitigate the effect that homelessness has on the educational progress of children who are homeless? http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/economy-creates-more-homeless-families-stresses-for-shelters/1048175

9. Runaway Youth • The estimated number of runaway youth living on the streets in the US is as high as 2 million. • The risk factors and intervention needs for this population are considerably different. How so? • What are some reasons kids/teens end up on the streets? • HSP working with this population must provide consistent, compassionate care, and understanding that promotes both self-esteem and self-efficacy in these emotionally broken and bruised teens. • One-on-one relationships where trust can grow http://www.billwilsoncenter.org/services/all/runaway.html

10. Single Men, the Mentally Ill, & Substance Abuse • Although single-parent families now comprise a large proportion of the homeless population, just less than 50% of the homeless population consists of men, many of whom are single, some of whom are mentally ill, some of whom have substance abuse issues, and most of whom are veterans. • Veteran services addresses man of these issues in programs designed to meet the complex needs of the homeless population who were enrolled in the armed services. http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/photos/homeless-man

11. Older Adult Elderly Homeless People • The number of homeless older adults is expected to increase as the baby boomer generation ages. • Differences exist between homelessness among younger and older persons, both in terms of the root causes of homelessness and effective responses. How so? • Older adult homeless persons report being without shelter for far longer periods than younger individuals. • This group also has increased vulnerability. Give examples. http://blogs.longwood.edu/nancymcdonald/2011/02/23/you-have-no-home-no-possessions-and-no-source-of-income-now-what/

12. Current Policies & Legislation • Governmental policies designed to meet the needs of the homeless population are often targeted to subgroups. • The McKinneyy-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987: guarantees government assistance for the homeless and homeless services and increases in federal funding from passage to the mid-1990s has been significant. • Other legislation although not directly aimed at preventing homelessness has certainly had an impact on the homeless population. • Transition from AFDC to TANF http://www.usa.lighting.philips.com/lightcommunity/trends/legislation/

13. The Role of the HSP: working with the homeless population • Research indicates that children who have experienced extreme poverty and homelessness are at risk for higher rates of physical illnesses, depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, learning problems, and low self-esteem. • The most significant role HSP play is advocating for the homeless population. • Empowerment and networking • Single moms, bad relationships, and the HSP response • http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2011/05/empowerment-101.html

14. Common Practice Settings for Working with the Homeless population • Programs designed to aid the homeless are offered in 3 levels of service: • Emergency shelters and daytime drop-in centers • Transitional housing programs • Public housing projects provided by HUD http://www.stjamesnl.org/shelter