In an effort to understand the perceived unmet needs of homeless individuals within a segment of the homeless continuum of services, a team of occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and medical faculty and students conducted a series of focus groups in two homeless shelters and two transitional housing programs in a northeastern U.S. urban community. The focus groups were done as part of a practicum experience of an elective graduate course, Interdisciplinary Health Services for Underserved Populations. Numerous focus groups were conducted separately for homeless individuals and for staff at each of the sites. The purpose of the needs assessments was to examine ways to support homeless residents' movement towards self sufficiency from the vantage points of multiple stakeholders. The interdisciplinary team wanted to examine how residents in homeless shelters versus transitional housing (at two different points in the continuum of homeless services) perceived their needs. The focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed, followed by thematic analysis. Common themes across sites as well as unique needs within each housing program were identified. This needs assessment became the basis for targeted program devleopment by interdisciplinary healthcare teams in each shelter location. Results of the needs assessment from the two types of housing programs will be presented with implications for program development and services.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe a process of doing needs assessment with residents and staff in homeless shelters and transitional housing programs. 2. Discuss themes derived from the focus groups conducted in two different points in the continuum of homelessness services. 3. Identify at least two implications for program development in homeless and transitional housing sites
Keywords: Needs Assessment, Service Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.