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Background: The delivery of rehabilitation services for hard-to-reach populations (e.g., refugees) is highly complex. There is a need for evidence-based approaches to deliver physiotherapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) services to this underserved group. Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify PT and OT service delivery models that have been implemented, for populations typically identified as hard-to-reach and their associated health outcomes. Eligibility criteria: Articles were eligible if they described PT and/or OT services for hard-to-reach populations. There were no restrictions on study design. Study selection: Six electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Healthstar, and PsycINFO) were searched from January 2000 to June 2023. Articles were screened in duplicate by two independent reviewers, and conflicts were resolved by consensus. Results: Twenty-one articles with variable sample sizes (min, max n = 3 to 237) were included and detailed PT and/or OT services for immigrants/migrants, refugees, hard-to-reach veterans, people experiencing homelessness, lower incomes, trauma/torture, and those living in rehabilitation-deficient areas. Common rehabilitation needs (e.g., clinician to client connectivity), barriers (e.g., high transportation costs) and facilitators (e.g., encouragement) were identified among the various populations, mainly due to intersecting identities such as those who are both traumatized and refugees. Unique factors pertaining to the PT and OT services were also identified in some groups, including access to child and family services for people experiencing homelessness. Conclusions: Despite common and individual needs, barriers, and facilitators in hard-to-reach groups in the literature, there is a need for studies with larger sample sizes, rigorous methodology and a conscious effort to publish the results of interventions to generate stronger recommendations for practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AHURI Final Report No. 429 delves into the evolving landscape of homelessness in Australia from 2001 to 2021, shedding light on the disparities in rates across capital cities and remote regions, particularly in the Northern Territory. It underscores the critical need for evidence-based policies to tackle homelessness effectively, emphasizing the importance of affordable rental housing and culturally sensitive approaches, especially for First Nations communities. The report's data-driven analysis reveals the intricate web of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic factors influencing homelessness rates, advocating for targeted interventions to bridge the gap between service capacity and homelessness prevalence. [Extracted from the article]

This paper advances existing work on the geographies of homelessness by considering the phenomenon of sofa‐surfing—defined as the practice of living in a host's home, without a right to reside, in the absence of more permanent accommodation—as a distinctive, and until recently somewhat hidden, form of homelessness. Examining sofa‐surfing is important as it recognises the varied and intersecting spatial, temporal and mobility characteristics of vulnerable populations, often thought to be living at the margins of homelessness. Across the globe, the significant increase in sofa‐surfing since the 2010s, coupled with the unique, and frequently hidden, movements between 'host' homes, and the interrelationships that exist between sofa‐surfers and hosts, makes sofa‐surfing an essential lens through which to interpret the diverse geographies of 21st Century homelessness. To achieve this, we draw together work from a range of global contexts that examine the roots of stigmatised homeless identities and punitive public policies, alongside studies of homeless mobilities and performative homeless identities, to help understand the complex precarities associated with feelings of dislocation and (not) belonging. Investigating patterns of sofa‐surfing mobilities alongside sofa‐surfers' fluid performative identities matters, and this paper provides new ways of understanding how such unique interactions impact sofa‐surfers' felt capacities to belong within and between sofa‐surfing spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the challenges of providing social housing to individuals with complex support needs and potential policy responses. It discusses the limitations in resources and workforce capacity that hinder the provision of intensive support. The article suggests policy development options such as increasing the availability of social housing, establishing cohort-specific programs, and implementing Housing First principles. It also highlights the varying eligibility criteria for accessing social housing across different jurisdictions and the need for integrated and intensive support programs. The text emphasizes the importance of person-centered support, increased workforce capacity, and policy development to address the housing needs of vulnerable individuals. Additionally, it discusses the challenges faced by younger people in accessing housing support and the impact of housing on health outcomes. The text also addresses the inefficiencies of social housing registries and the negative impacts of long waiting times on applicants. It emphasizes the need for better management of registries, comprehensive support, and case management for effective service delivery. The text acknowledges the tensions between meeting demand for social housing and encouraging people to transition out of social housing. It concludes that social housing is crucial for vulnerable populations and that policy interventions are needed to address the housing crisis. The given text is a list of references for various research reports and articles related to housing and homelessness in Australia. These resources cover a range of topics and provide valuable insights and analysis for library patrons conducting research on these specific topics. [Extracted from the article]

Canadian homelessness is an ongoing issue, especially in the Nipissing District, Ontario, where agencies work to support those in need. However, these efforts were challenged with the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the Cycle of Homelessness model, this study examines sociodemographic factors associated with homeless experiences during the pandemic. Using data from the 2021 (n = 207) Nipissing District homeless enumeration survey and employing bivariate and multivariate binary logistic analyses, this study examined sociodemographic factors associated with reasons of homelessness, barriers to housing loss and experiences of chronic and episodic homelessness during the pandemic. The results showed a significant sociodemographic variation in the experiences of the homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those over the age of 35 versus their younger counterparts were more likely (43.7%) found in emergency shelters. Multivariate findings indicated that females experienced housing/financial loss and interpersonal/family issues, directly causing homelessness, 2.2 and 2.5 times more than males, respectively. Welfare recipients were more likely to experience health-related reasons for housing loss (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8), chronic homelessness (OR: 3.3), addiction (OR: 2.9), and mental health-related barriers to housing (OR: 4.1). Those aged 25–34, 25–44, and 45+ were 7.9, 4.9, and 5.1 times more likely to face chronic homelessness. Conclusions: Welfare recipients are more at-risk of health-related housing loss, addiction, and mental health barriers to housing, and chronic homelessness. This could be attributed to poor public planning and policies that put people in marginal economic and housing circumstances, especially during the pandemic. Therefore, policy reform is required to address the main barriers in eliminating homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health needs assessments (CHNA) involving qualitative techniques help tailor health services to the specific needs of the population groups for whom they are designed. In light of increasing health disparities amongst people experiencing homelessness (PEH)—and to ensure the integration of their voices into a larger CHNA—this study used an ethnographic approach grounded in a social constructivist research paradigm to explore the perspectives of PEH attending a primary care and addiction service in Ireland on their priority health and healthcare needs. Participant observations and informal interviews were conducted with clients experiencing homelessness attending the service for three hours every Monday morning between October 2022 and April 2023. Field note data from active participant observation and informal conversations were collected, anonymised, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the researchers' institutional Research Ethics Committee. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: self-identified priorities, satisfaction with health services, and migrant health. Clients' priority concerns relate to their mental health and personal safety, strengthening ties with children and families, finding a sense of purpose, and feeling better physically. These challenges differ from those of the general population in terms of their severity observed both prior to and during experiences of homelessness, coupled with disproportionately high levels of loss, fear, pain, fatigue, social stigma and other barriers to accessing satisfactory housing. In terms of services, clients are satisfied with their ability to access primary care and harm reduction in a social environment where positive exchanges with friends and providers take place. Conversely, barriers to accessing mental health and addiction services persist including the internalised belief that one is beyond help, lack of access to information on available services and their entry requirements, and lingering stigma within a health system that treats addiction as separate to health. Moving forward, health practitioners may consider holding more regular and open conversations with clients experiencing homelessness about the care they are receiving, its rationale, and whether or not changes are desired that can be safely made. The health needs of migrants and asylum seekers entering homelessness in Ireland are urgent and should be prioritised in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of families with children in the U.S. struggle to afford adequate housing. Housing cost burden places families at risk for homelessness, and prevention efforts are hindered by limited understanding of insecure housing experiences at the margins. The present study investigated variation in housing insecurity experiences in a sample of mothers, as well as which risk profiles were most strongly associated with subsequent homelessness. Latent class analysis identified four distinct subgroups of housing insecurity: "Stable," "Unstable," "Rent-Focused," and "Strategic Bill-Paying." Classes differed on whether they made rent or utility payments on time, experienced utility shutoffs, or were evicted. Mothers who missed rent payments were significantly more likely to experience subsequent homelessness, whereas those who prioritized rent were more likely to have their utilities shut off but remain housed. Policy efforts should emphasize increased wages, rent control, changes to zoning laws and tax codes to prioritize affordable housing, and benefits that help mothers maintain their incomes such as comprehensive healthcare, paid maternity leave, and subsidized childcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to the call for research on the impacts of the student housing crisis beyond studentification through an analysis of 26 in-depth interviews with students at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, who experienced housing precarity beginning in September 2022. The testimonies provide further evidence that the increasing unaffordability of housing is creating tensions of exclusion and hardship for students, with wide-ranging impacts on mental health and academic attainment. While the extent of this crisis may seem to legitimate increased building of private sector Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) blocks, I question whether this is a rational response to a crisis of affordability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AHURI Final Report titled "Getting off the waiting list? Managing housing assistance provision in an era of intensifying social housing shortage" examines the effectiveness of housing assistance in Australia, particularly in relation to the social housing waiting list. The report highlights the growing emphasis on private rental assistance (PRA) as a means to alleviate pressure on waiting lists and provide temporary housing. However, the report also reveals that many applicants find the application process complex and communication inadequate. The report suggests policy development options to improve the housing assistance system, including tailored delivery of housing services and partnerships with private housing providers. [Extracted from the article]

People experiencing homelessness are more likely to utilize emergency departments than their non-homeless counterparts. However, obtaining a bed in a homeless shelter for patients can be complex. To better understand the challenges of finding a safe discharge plan for homeless patients in the emergency department, our team conducted interviews with emergency department social workers and homeless shelter case managers in the Boston area. We identified and mapped the stages in the processes performed by both parties, identifying challenges with successful placement into a shelter. Furthermore, we assembled a data dictionary of key factors considered when assessing a patient's fit for a homeless shelter. By identifying bottlenecks and areas of opportunity, this study serves as a first step in enabling homeless individuals to receive the post-discharge assistance they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, in 2013, 610,042 people were estimated homeless in one night. Improving the effectiveness of homeless assistance programs, particularly aligning programs' practices with their goals, is critical to serving this population. Using a theory that predicts homeless exits, this study presents an innovative, low-cost evaluation tool that can be used by a wide range of human service providers to conduct more frequent "in-house" process evaluations. The Gap Assessment of Policy and Practice (GAPP) tool streamlines process evaluations thus improving social programs. To test this tool's effectiveness, we compared the results of a traditional process evaluation and a GAPP tool evaluation of a homeless assistance program. Both evaluations revealed a consistent disparity between program activities and expressed goals. The GAPP tool is less time intensive and provides a useful road map for structuring a process evaluation for program providers, thus increasing program impact by encouraging more frequent and efficient self-assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban heat island effect exacerbates independent climate change‐induced shifts toward longer, stronger, and more frequent heat extremes. Environmental inequity, driven by a history of racially motivated urban planning policies, has led particular demographics to bear the worst impacts of urban heat exposure and thus also climate change. These impacts cause adverse health outcomes in the form of heat emergencies. Through a novel demographic and spatial analysis of heat‐related illness Emergency Medical Services data from Richmond, Virginia, this study investigates the relationships between heat health emergencies and intra‐urban heat islands quantified through three heat exposure metrics. We also evaluate the accessibility of built refuge from urban heat in the form of public transit infrastructure, libraries, and government cooling centers in relation to these emergencies. We found that heat emergencies are inequitably distributed among racial, age, and socioeconomic groups in Richmond, particularly among residents identified as Male, Black or African American, 50+ years old, and experiencing mental health, intoxication, and/or homelessness. We found significant associations between the location of these heat emergencies and urban heat islands as estimated from remotely‐sensed surface and community science‐derived air temperature metrics, but not a co‐estimated heat index. We also found that available refuge facilities are insufficiently located to protect individuals with reduced mobility across areas with the highest number of heat‐related health emergencies. Community involvement in the mitigation and management of extreme heat threats, especially for those disproportionately impacted, is necessary to decrease the number of summertime heat illnesses. Plain Language Summary: In a process called the urban heat island effect, urban areas experience higher average temperatures compared to nearby rural areas, largely due to the lack of cooling provided by trees and the heat‐trapping ability of buildings and paved surfaces. While human‐caused climate change is driving average global temperatures to rise, some communities and neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia experience hotter temperatures than others. This is largely due to a historical lack of government investment in Black and low‐income neighborhoods. Hotter, less resourced neighborhoods experience more heat‐related health emergencies like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. This study found significant relationships between the location of heat‐related illness Emergency Medical Services data from Richmond, Virginia and areas which are measurably hotter. We also found that Richmond has insufficient publicly accessible places for people with limited mobility to escape the heat, including bus stop shelters, libraries, and government cooling centers. Richmonders bear the brunt of heat emergencies unequally, with a higher proportion of heat emergencies among residents identified as Male, Black or African American, 50+ years old, and experiencing mental health, intoxication, and/or homelessness. Impacted community members should be prioritized as cities like Richmond addresses the everyday impacts of climate change and urban heat. Key Points: Heat‐related health emergencies are inequitably distributed in Richmond, Virginia across demographicsRemotely‐sensed surface temperature, community science‐derived air temperature metrics are strong predictors of heat‐related health impactsBuilt refuge is essential for extreme heat management, inequitable access persists for low mobility and vulnerable residents [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify experiences of boredom and associations with psychosocial well-being during and following homelessness. Methods: Using a convergent, mixed-methods explanatory design, we conducted quantitative interviews with 164 participants) (n = 102 unhoused; n = 62 housed following homelessness) using a 92-item protocol involving demographic components and seven standardized measures of psychosocial well-being. A sub-sample (n = 32) was approached to participate in qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed by group (unhoused; housed). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics designed to generate insights into boredom, meaningful activity engagement, and their associations with psychosocial well-being during and following homelessness. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated at the stage of discussion. Results: Quantitative analyses revealed small to moderate correlations between boredom and increased hopelessness (rs =.376, p <.01), increased drug use (rs =.194, p <.05), and lowered mental well-being (rs = -.366, p <.01). There were no statistically significant differences between unhoused and housed participants on any standardized measures. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that housing status was not a significant predictor of boredom or meaningful activity engagement (p>.05). Qualitative interviews revealed profound boredom during and following homelessness imposing negative influences on mental well-being and driving substance use. Conclusions: Boredom and meaningful activity are important outcomes that require focused attention in services designed to support individuals during and following homelessness. Attention to this construct in future research, practice, and policy has the potential to support the well-being of individuals who experience homelessness, and to contribute to efforts aimed at homelessness prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) are faced with instabilities in many areas of their lives, including their living situation, employment, and income. Little is known about how the experience of instability in these different domains might be associated with substance use. Leveraging data collected on 276 YAEH in Los Angeles County, regression analyses examine associations between three distinct types of instability (housing, employment, income) and participants' self-reported alcohol use, alcohol consequences, non-cannabis drug use, and substance use symptoms. Results indicated that recent instability in income, employment, and secure housing for those with access to it (but not housing in general or non-secure housing) were significantly associated with greater alcohol/drug use or substance use symptoms. Depression was also found to moderate the association between employment instability and alcohol use. Our findings suggest that efforts to reduce instability in income, employment, and secure housing may have positive benefits for substance using YAEH, especially those with depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Colonizing Self: Or, Home and Homelessness in Israel/Palestine" by Hagar Kotef is a book that explores the concept of 'home' within the context of Israel/Palestine. The author analyzes the historical legacy of a colonial 'planning' system and calls for the decolonization of settler colonial space. The book focuses on the role of the settler in displacing Palestinians from their homes and examines the narratives and justifications used by Israeli settlers. It also draws connections to settler colonialism and violence in other parts of the world. The text emphasizes the need for uncomfortable conversations about race, place, and home within the planning discipline and the importance of decolonizing thinking for a more just future. [Extracted from the article]

Despite widespread claims about the benefits of social procurement, there is little robust evidence that emerging social procurement policies are achieving their intended outcomes. Addressing this gap in research, this paper presents a case study of a theoretically informed and methodologically robust evaluative social return on investment (SROI) analysis of a construction training initiative developed in Wales to reduce the risk of youth homelessness. Utilising Sen and Nussbaum's Capability Empowerment Approach, the results contribute to social procurement research by providing much needed empirical legitimacy to an under theorised field. Ensuring that new social procurement initiatives developed by the construction industry are theoretically and empirically sound is critical to ensure they are transparent, robust, testable, reliable and replicable in achieving the social outcomes they purport to deliver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper describes the protocols for a randomized controlled trial using a parallel-group trial design that includes an intervention designed to address social isolation and loneliness among people experiencing homelessness known as Miracle Friends and an intervention that combines Miracles Friends with an economic poverty-reduction intervention known as Miracle Money. Miracle Friends pairs an unhoused person with a volunteer "phone buddy." Miracle Money provides guaranteed basic income of $750 per month for 1 year to Miracle Friends participants. The study will examine whether either intervention reduces social isolation or homelessness compared to a waitlist control group. Methods: Unhoused individuals who expressed interest in the Miracle Friends program were randomized to either receive the intervention or be placed on a waitlist for Miracle Friends. Among those randomized to receive the Miracle Friends intervention, randomization also determined whether they would be offered Miracle Money. The possibility of receiving basic income was only disclosed to study participants if they were randomly selected and participated in the Miracle Friends program. All study participants, regardless of assignment, were surveyed every 3 months for 15 months. Results: Of 760 unhoused individuals enrolled in the study, 256 were randomized to receive Miracle Friends, 267 were randomized to receive Miracle Money, and 237 were randomized to the waitlist control group. In the two intervention groups, 360 of 523 unhoused individuals were initially matched to a phone buddy. Of the 191 study participants in the Miracle Money group who had been initially matched to a volunteer phone buddy, 103 were deemed to be participating in the program and began receiving monthly income. Discussion: This randomized controlled trial will determine whether innovative interventions involving volunteer phone support and basic income reduce social isolation and improve housing outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Although we enrolled unhoused individuals who initially expressed interest in the Miracle Friends program, the study team could not reach approximately 30% of individuals referred to the study. This may reflect the general lack of stability in the lives of people who are unhoused or limitations in the appeal of such a program to some portion of the unhoused population. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05408884 (first submitted on May 26, 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic foot care is a real need of people experiencing homelessness. To improve access to foot health for this group, three services structured to provide healthcare support for people experiencing homelessness collaborated in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia: an established nurse-led Homeless Persons Program (HPP), a specialty community health podiatry clinic servicing people experiencing homelessness, and a charity supporting disadvantaged communities providing free socks, foot first aid kits and second-hand footwear for distribution by nurses and podiatrists of participating services. This paper outlines the implementation and evaluation of this collaboration. A four stage implementation approach was used, addressing: 1. Who needs to do what differently? 2. What are the barriers and enablers that need to be addressed? 3. Which intervention components could overcome the modifiable barriers and enhance the enablers? 4. How can the changes be measured? The evaluation prospectively collected information about how HPP nurses referred adults to podiatry, and whether the referred individuals accessed the podiatry clinic, the outcomes of the podiatry visit, and how many received footwear, socks and foot first aid kits provided by the non-profit organisation. Over 1st June 2019 and 31st December 2020, 52 individuals were identified as adults who could potentially benefit from podiatry by the HPP nurses, of which 33 accessed podiatry. Those who did not visit the podiatry clinic were more likely to be born outside of Australia, live in more precarious housing (crisis accommodation and rough sleeping), have slightly more predisposing factors for homelessness, but have fewer medical, psychological and cognitive conditions. A structured approach including processes, education, regular, outreach to youth refuges and formal outcome monitoring enabled foot health care access in people experiencing homelessness. Further research is needed to ascertain how to support participants at risk of foot problems to access podiatry before their foot health issue reaches crisis point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeless and low-income students share multiple overlapping risk experiences; however, some studies report little to no observed differences in outcomes between these students. From the cumulative risk perspective, homelessness is perched at the extreme edge of economic insecurity, suggesting that homeless students encounter additional hardships beyond poverty experiences alone. Using a continuum of risk framework, this study leveraged statewide administrative data from a 6th grade cohort of Maryland public school students (N = 52,610) to investigate the association between homelessness and educational and early labor market outcomes, above and beyond the associations linked to poverty. Findings provide support for the continuum of risk in relation to educational outcomes; however, no significant differences were observed in early labor market outcomes, although racial differences were detected. This study underscores the importance of targeted interventions in promoting positive, long-term outcomes, particularly for students who were homeless in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of animal companions in the lives of homeless individuals and the established benefits and complications offered by animals during serious illness and end-of-life (EOL), little is known about the experiences of homeless people who have animal companions and chronic illness. Two subsamples from a larger study – longitudinal medical documentation of homeless palliative-care patients who discussed animal companionship during their care (n = 11) and interviews with cross-sector service providers (n = 3) who spoke to the role of animals in care – were analyzed using an interpretive description approach. Results showcased three major themes: (1) healing benefits to animal companionship during concurrent homelessness and serious illness; (2) choosing animal companionship over formal housing and health services; (3) when animal companionship's consequences outweigh the benefits. These findings provide practical implications for clinical assessment, programing, and service expansion for persons with animal companions and future translational science to benefit animal companion owners experiencing serious illnesses while homeless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to books and storybook reading contribute to children's language, literacy and academic development. Homeless children often experience delays in these areas of development; however, their access to books and storybook reading is understudied. This study of 24 children in a family homeless shelter and 27 housed children in the same urban neighborhood found homeless children had fewer books, visited libraries less often, were unlikely to have library cards, and fewer were read to daily. Identifying these disparities has implications for reducing the inequalities and developmental risks often associated with childhood homelessness and associated challenges for schools that educate them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homelessness in American cities is a nuanced reality that merits an accurate portrayal of unhoused people themselves and the conditions surrounding and affecting them. Vilifying the press for reporting on these conditions creates a narrative that influences policy makers and public opinion. The "sweep/no sweep" dilemma has become an argument that impedes solutions to a contemporary urban crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores gendered housing issues, revealing gender disparities in housing opportunities, assistance, and impacts, aiming to inform gender-responsive housing policies and data frameworks.

Homelessness is associated with multiple risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. Past research with people experiencing homelessness has described “frontal lobe” dysfunction including behavioral disorders and executive cognitive impairments. In the current study, 72 adults experiencing homelessness were assessed with a standardized assessment of executive function, and interviewed regarding neurological and psychiatric history. When compared to a control sample of 25 never-homeless participants, and controlling for level of education, there was little evidence for executive dysfunction in the sample of people experiencing homelessness. Levels of substance abuse, past head injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder were notably high. However, there were no statistically significant associations between cognitive task performance and clinical or substance abuse variables. Gambling was surprisingly infrequent, but risk-taking behavior among intravenous drug users was common. Though in neither case was it linked to executive function. Overall, there was little evidence for executive impairment in this sample of people experiencing homelessness. I suggest that past research has often used inappropriate criteria for “normal” performance, particularly comparing people experiencing homelessness to control data of relatively high education level. This has led to elements of “frontal lobology,” that is, clinical neuroscience research that tends to overly link non-typical or pathological behavior to frontal lobe impairment. When appropriate comparisons are made, controlling for education level, as in this study, associations between executive function impairments and adult homelessness may be weaker than previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Social Work Studies is the property of Helwan University, Faculty of Social Work and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Medical Respite Programs (MRPs) characterize a care model that has been developed to address the health care and social needs of persons experiencing homelessness by providing post-acute hospital care in a safe environment. Although this model has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, improve health outcomes and increase access to health services, prior studies of MRP programs and outcomes have been limited to individual sites and may not generalize to the population of individuals receiving MRP care. This study protocol describes a mixed method design to collect organizational, provider, and patient-level data from a sample of MRPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is an overlooked tropical illness that yet has significant worldwide effects and lasting health repercussions. The condition is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabei var. hominis, which is a parasitic organism that dwells on the outer layer of the human skin. Scabies is prevalent in impoverished neighborhoods as a result of the high population density in locations such as nursing homes, correctional facilities, and among homeless and displaced children. Nevertheless, modern nations are also prone to scabies infestations, particularly in cases of institutional outbreaks or mini epidemics occurring after conflict or natural calamities. Scabies diagnosis can be aided by both invasive and noninvasive techniques. This paper reviews assessment diagnosis, and management of scabies in primary health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of evidence that housing-related disparities in mortality are worsening over time, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of experts working in homeless health and addiction services on priority healthcare needs amongst people experiencing homelessness in Dublin, Ireland, a city facing problematic increases in homelessness. As part of a larger qualitative study, a series of semi-structured interviews were carried out with 19 community experts followed by inductive thematic framework analysis to identify emergent themes and sub-themes relating to priority healthcare needs. At the societal level, community experts identified a need to promote a culture that values health equity. At the policy level, accelerating action in addressing health inequalities was recommended with an emphasis on strategic planning, Housing First, social support options, interagency collaboration, improved data linkage and sharing, and auditing. At the health services level, removing barriers to access will require the provision of more and safer mental health, addiction, women-centred, and general practice services; resolved care pathways in relation to crisis points and multi-morbidity; expanded trauma-informed education and training and hospital-led Inclusion Health programmes; and outreach programmes and peer support for chronic disease management. The voices of people experiencing homelessness, including representatives from specific homeless groups such as migrants, youth, and the elderly, must be thoroughly embedded into health and social service design and delivery to facilitate impactful change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile crisis services for people experiencing distress related to mental health or substance use are expanding rapidly across the US, yet there is little evidence to support these specific models of care. These new programs present a unique opportunity to expand the literature by utilizing implementation science methods to inform the future design of crisis systems. This mixed methods study will examine the effectiveness and acceptability of the Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT), a new 911-dispatched multidisciplinary mobile crisis intervention piloted in San Francisco, California. First, using quantitative data from electronic health records, we will conduct an interrupted time series analysis to quantitatively examine the impacts of the SCRT on people experiencing homelessness who utilized public behavioral health crisis services in San Francisco between November 2019 and August 2022, across four main outcomes within 30 days of the crisis episode: routine care utilization, crisis care reutilization, assessment for housing services, and jail entry. Second, to understand its impact on health equity, we will analyze racial and ethnic disparities in these outcomes prior to and after implementation of the SCRT. For the qualitative component, we will conduct semi-structured interviews with recipients of the SCRT's services to understand their experiences of the intervention and to identify how the SCRT influenced their health-related trajectories after the crisis encounter. Once complete, the quantitative and qualitative findings will be further analyzed in tandem to assist with more nuanced understanding of the effectiveness of the SCRT program. This evaluation of a novel mobile crisis response program will advance the field, while also providing a model for how real-world program implementation can be achieved in crisis service settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically interrogates care and violence, demonstrating how they are both spatialised and mutually constitutive within the shelters and clinics of Singapore for migrant workers. While there are seemingly disconnected sites, both clinics and shelters are utilized to provide different forms of care, discursively represented as spaces of protection and healing. Drawing on ethnographic research with migrant domestic workers at these sites, this paper will, however, argue that shelters and clinics are also spaces where violence is enacted and experienced. Indeed, despite having lived through different forms of violence in their employers' homes, this paper will reveal how domestic workers were subjected to further suffering and bodily harm; all while, paradoxically, receiving different forms of care. Building on social and cultural geographic debates, and particularly on feminist scholarship that foregrounds care, violence, and the body, this paper will argue that care and violence are mutually constitutive in these sites. Moreover, it will show that the migratory regime in Singapore creates spaces where the care that is practiced cannot be abstracted from violence. Beyond coexisting, in these geographies care and violence are shown to be inextricably connected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply a multisystem perspective to three aims relevant to resilience for young children in emergency and transitional homeless shelters. We consider profiles of risks and resources before shelter, early childhood program enrollment during shelter, and the likelihood of returning to shelter or having a subsequent child welfare placement. We used longitudinal, city-wide data from multiple sources integrated at the individual level across the lifespan for 8 birth cohorts. Young children (N = 1,281) stayed in family shelters during an 18-month period during a multisystem intervention. Risk factor rates were high as were rates of early childhood program enrollment (66.1% in any program; 42.3% in a high-quality program), which may suggest positive effects of the multisystem intervention. Multilevel latent class analysis revealed four profiles, considering prior shelter stays, prior child welfare placements, prior elevated lead levels, perinatal factors (teenage mother, prenatal care, low maternal education, and poor birth outcomes), demographics, and early childhood program enrollment and quality. One profile with higher rates of child welfare placement before the shelter stay and considerable enrollment in high-quality early childhood programs corresponded to lower rates of subsequent child welfare placement. Profiles did not differ on the likelihood of returning to shelter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of various academic articles and research papers related to homelessness, information technology, and social issues. The articles cover topics such as the use of technology among homeless individuals, the challenges faced by homeless school-aged children, the impact of social media on homeless youth, and the role of information services in supporting the homeless population. The document provides a range of perspectives and research findings on these topics, offering valuable insights for researchers and individuals interested in understanding the intersection of homelessness and technology. [Extracted from the article]

The Journal of Southeast Asian Human Rights reflects on the year gone by, highlighting the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza as significant events that have tested the protection of human rights during times of war. The conflict in Gaza, in particular, has resulted in the violation of international humanitarian laws, with civilians being targeted and essential infrastructure being destroyed. The articles in this issue of the journal explore the relationship between religion and human rights, the impact of religious outlooks on policies regarding prostitution, agrarian conflicts in Indonesia, the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, and the need to consider local customs when implementing human rights. The journal emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights to prevent social conflicts and violence. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Life skills encompass psychosocial and interpersonal abilities for informed decision-making, problem-solving, effective communication, and balanced living. They are vital for youth facing modern challenges, helping them fulfill roles and build relationships. Developing these skills is crucial for resilience, given the complexities of today's society. The study assesses the attitudes of children and adolescents towards life skills in a Juvenile center in Ahmedabad, India, recognizing the importance of these skills for their well-being and future success. Methodology: This study was conducted in an Ahmedabad juvenile center with ethical clearance from Parul University's ethics committee. It involved 100 participants, selected using a snowball sampling method. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding life skills. The questionnaire, validated by experts, included demographic data, knowledge questions, and attitude statements. The data analysis involved Mann-Whitney tests, Spearman correlation, and descriptive statistics. Findings were statistically significant at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). IBM SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Results: Gender differences were found in attitudes but not in knowledge among respondents. A moderate positive correlation between attitude and knowledge was statistically significant. Religious affiliation and age didn't significantly affect attitudes or knowledge. Most respondents had poor knowledge (94%) and a negative attitude (93%). Conclusion: Life skills training is vital for homeless children. It equips them with essential knowledge and abilities to navigate life's complexities, fostering resilience, empowerment, and positive attitudes. In their challenging circumstances, these skills become a lifeline, offering hope and the potential for a more stable, self-sufficient future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Life skills encompass a vital set of competencies that empower individuals to make informed decisions, assert their rights, and lead a healthy, productive life, making them agents of change. Adolescence, marked by physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes, is a critical phase, where the absence of traditional norms and support systems can lead to various mental health challenges. Thus, the present study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge among the homeless children and adolscents at a juvenile center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Methodology: A structured close ended multiple-choice questionnaire was provided to the selected respondents for assessing the baseline knowledge of the children. The sample size for the study was 100. The analysis was carried using IBM SPSS version 23 and chi square test of association was used to analyze the association between the knowledge and age group of the children. Results: Chi-square tests were used to examine age and gender-related differences in responses from children and adolescents. Significantly, age-related variations were found in questions about decision consequences, accident response, and math problem-solving (p ≤ 0.05). Gender differences were significant for decision consequences and math problems (p = 0.04). Other topics showed no significant age or gender variations, suggesting targeted educational interventions can enhance life skills knowledge and attitudes across different age and gender groups. Conclusion: A lower level of knowledge towards life skills among the children and adolescents at the juvenile centre in Ahmedabad suggests that Life skills in juvenile centers is important to empower young offenders with essential abilities for better decision-making and reintegration into society. Life skills training equips individuals with essential abilities for informed decision-making, problem-solving, and well-being, fostering personal growth and adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encourage countries to solve many social problems. One of these problems is homelessness. We rank states in the United States with respect to youth homelessness and the achievement of these goals. We use fuzzy similarity measures to determine the degree of similarity between these rankings. Given a similarity measure between two categories, we introduce a method using type-2 fuzzy sets that determines a similarity of a subcategory of one category with the other category. In particular, given a similarity measure between youth homelessness and the SDGs, we determine a similarity measure between youth vulnerable to toxic stress and the SDGs and also youth vulnerable to human trafficking and the SDGs. We also use a relatively new similarity measure, an n -dimensional similarity measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]