Diversity Within the Homeless Population : Implications for Intervention

The rapid growth of the homeless population and its diversity suggest the importance of identifying the characteristics of the various subpopulations of homeless—women with children, adolescents, young adults—in order to develop programs that address their special needs. Diversity Within the Homeless Population examines the characteristics and needs of homeless children, adolescents, and women; describes programs developed to meet the needs of crack-addicted homeless mothers and of homeless families; and describes an innovative program designed to make housing options available to the homeless through employment.

An important contribution to the understanding of the unique circumstances and needs of the homeless, Diversity Within the Homeless Population examines why more and more women and their children, adolescents, and young adults are ending up on the street. You will learn about unique treatment and community intervention programs, preventive approaches that target those at risk for future homelessness, and case management as a strategy for preventing the initial experience of homelessness. You will also learn about the ”behavioral” factors that differentiate homeless women with children from impoverished women with children who remain housed, including domestic violence, degree of education, number of children, traumatic experiences, and use of drugs.

You’ll find this dynamic book takes a giant step toward the development and evaluation of strategies for preventing and alleviating this urgent social problem. In doing so, Diversity Within the Homeless Population explores the benefits of family-oriented treatment, ways to make housing available to the homeless through employment opportunities, and the effectiveness of linking inpatient treatment to a culturally sensitive, community-based intervention program. You will also learn about:

• the lack of personal support networks among the homeless
• crack/cocaine use and homelessness among inner-city communities
• preventing relapse among crack-using homeless women with children
• the “Needs Foundation” in Chicago
• social and environmental predictors of adjustment in homeless children
• homelessness and how it compromises the behavioral, physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of children
• hierarchical multiple regression analyses
• system and agency demands on case managers
  
  As a researcher, social worker, psychologist, or counselor who works with the homeless, you face extraordinary adversity on a daily basis; this book offers you hope, guidance, insight, and intervention strategies that will aid you in tackling this enormous social problem. Diversity Within the Homeless Population provides you with a storehouse of ideas that you’ll implement in your own practice or community.