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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jennifer Titus, MPH candidate, Pamela Hobbs, MPH candidate, and Colin Gershon, MPH candidate. School of Epidemiology & Public Health, Yale University, 111 Park St. 11S, New Haven, CT 06511, 203-710-0096, colin.gershon@yale.edu

Objective: The purpose of this study is to differentiate modes of health care service delivery among programs that provide federally-funded healthcare services to the homeless in the United States for: 1) homeless women who reside in domestic violence shelters and 2) their children.

Background: Families account for 40% of the homeless and most are headed by single women (84%) who have been victims of intimate partner violence. Traditionally, victims of intimate partner violence and their children have not been included in the dialogue on homelessness; however, they are fully consistent with the definition of homelessness and exhibit the same barriers to health care as the general homeless population.

Given that homeless children are more likely to experience aggressive behaviors while in school, as well as anxiety, depression, and social isolation, it is imperative to identify best practices not only for the homeless in general but also for this extremely vulnerable subgroup.

Methods: The investigators will obtain qualitative data on service delivery via in-depth interviews of 45 staff members of federally-funded health care programs for the homeless by May, 2006.

Results: The investigators will develop a manual of practice guidelines based on the data collected during the provider interviews. The manual will be provided to the “Wherever You Are” New Access Point Health Care for the Homeless Program at the Community Health Center, Inc. in New Britain, CT. The manual will facilitate the program's provision of healthcare services to the homeless population, especially vulnerable families affected by intimate partner violence.

Learning Objectives:

• The investigators will obtain qualitative data on service delivery via in-depth interviews of 45 staff members of federally-funded healthcare programs for the homeless.
• The investigators will develop a set of practice guidelines for a new program based on the data collected during the provider interviews.

Keywords: Homeless Health Care,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered