1. WELCOME HOME GROUP SERIES FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Promoting Successful Transitions from Homelessness to Housing
Grace Chuang, MOTS;1 Yoko Criner, MOTS;1 Kyle Matsumoto, MOTS;1 Teresa Sorlie, MOTS1
Faculty Adviser: Tracy Jirikowic, Ph.D., OTR/L;1 Community Mentors: Kathleen Kannenberg, MA, OTR/L, CCM;2 Kelley Craig, MNPL, CDP;2 Michelle Conley, MSW2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; 2Evergreen Treatment Services REACH Program, Seattle, WA
INTRODUCTION
There are about 8,476 people experiencing homelessness in Seattle, WA.1 Despite the many resources dedicated to establishing housing for this population, there are numerous reasons why an individual may be at risk for losing their housing. We looked at this issue through an occupational therapy perspective, considering the individual, the context (social, environmental, societal), and the shift in occupations as a result of the transition.
KEY FINDINGS
PROGRAM EVALUATION
*Based on 1-5 scale where 1 = not helpful and 5 = very helpful
Common Challenges2-5
Strategies to Maintain Housing2-5
Social isolation
Attend group classes
Difficulty with problem-solving
Maintain a daily routine
Lack of IADL skills
Engage in meaningful leisure
Impact of chronic mental illness
activities
Substance use issues
Set short-term and long-term
goals
Learn or re-learn IADL skills
Utilize peer support
Group Title
# of Participants
# Completed Survey
Rating*
Microwave Cooking 3
Very helpful
(n = 3)
Volunteer & Leisure 4 1
(n = 1)
Being a Good Neighbor
Money Management 2
(n = 2)
Home Care
Very helpful (n = 1) Helpful (n = 1)
Goal Setting
REACH, a program of Evergreen Treatment Services in Seattle, WA, aims to connect with people who are experiencing homelessness and improve their quality of life. We worked with REACH and their clients, focusing on the transition from homelessness to housing.
WELCOME HOME GROUP SERIES
Based on the barriers and strategies identified, we developed and implemented six “Welcome Home” life skills group classes to educate newly housed REACH clients on ways to address the challenges they might face early on in their transition.
Resource binder includes:
Group protocols for six 45-minute sessions with directions and script
List of materials needed
Non-perishable materials and handouts
Flyers to advertise each session
Surveys for each session
PURPOSE OF PROJECT
Identify common challenges and successful strategies of newly housed.
Conduct a literature review through an occupational therapy perspective.
Develop occupation-based supports.
Create a sustainable program for REACH to implement.
FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Expand marketing to increase number of participants.
Recruit and incorporate experienced peers to assist in group sessions.
Microwave cooking group could be expanded to become its own series.
Follow up with participants after end of group to evaluate any long-term impact.
Homelessness is a glaring example of occupational deprivation, and therefore demands the presence of occupational therapy to improve participation, stability and quality of life within this group.
METHODS
Consulted with REACH leadership and occupational therapist to identify areas of need.
Interviewed 15 REACH clients experiencing homelessness or who had in the past.
Reviewed literature to identify evidence-based supports based on challenges identified.
Developed and implemented six life skills group classes.
Topics: 1) microwave cooking, 2) community involvement,
3) being a good neighbor, 4) money management, 5) home care, and 6) goal setting
Developed a survey and collected feedback from participants after each class to gauge impact and satisfaction.
REFERENCES
City of Seattle. Pathways Home Initiative. (2018). Seattle’s person-centered plan to support people experiencing homelessness. Retrieved from
Gabrielian, S., Hamilton, A., Alexandrino, A., Hellemann, G., Young, A. (2017). “They’re homeless in a home”: Retaining homeless-experienced consumers in supported housing. Psychological Services,14(2),
Gutman, S., & Raphael-Greenfield, E. (2017). Effectiveness of a supportive housing program for homeless adults with mental illness and substance use: A two-group controlled trial. British Journal of Occupational Therapy,80(5),
Helfrich, C. A., Chan, D. V., & Sabol, P. (2011). Cognitive predictors of life skill interventions: Outcomes for adults with mental illness at risk for homelessness. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(3),
Johnstone, M., Parsell, C., Jetten, J., Dingle, G., & Walter, Z. (2016). Breaking the cycle of homelessness: Housing stability and social support as predictors of long-term well-being, Housing Studies, 31(4),