Health Care Reform: What’s in it for Homeless Families and Youth?
Homeless Families
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Transcript of Homeless Families
Homeless FamiliesBy Jen Chang, Tracie Dunton, Grace Kim, John
Pehanich, Matthew Steadman, & Jermaine Varian
An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, and
An individual or family who has a primary nighttime residence that is:Welfare hotels, Congregate shelters, or
transitional housing , orAn institution that provides a temporary
residence , A regular sleeping accommodation not
intended for human beings.
Definition of Homelessness
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition & Applied Research, 2011
Homelessness has been a socioeconomic and socioeconomic problem since colonial times
Civil War1872 – First know rescue mission established
in New York cityGreat Depression – 25% unemployment rates
Hobohemia counter cultureContemporary Period – 1980 to present
Homelessness in AmericaHistorical Perspective
National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness, 2011; Carlson, N.D.
Wages not keeping up with living costsFederal Poverty Level for a family of 3 is $18,530/year.Nevada Minimum wage is $8.25/hr.
$17,160/year $1,430/month
Self-sufficiency Standard in Clark County is $1,528/month for 1 person.
To afford to pay the National Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment…Individual must earn $18.32/hour
Equivalent Annual Salary of $38,106 10 million working poor in the US1/5 of all jobs do not keep families out of poverty
Contemporary Homelessness
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition & Applied Research, 2011;
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
Lack of affordable HousingCuts in Federal Aid between 1980 – 1983
140 billion was cut from budgetBudget for low-income housing cut by 49%
5.8 million low-income housing units needed to fill the gapAverage wait for public housing is 20 monthsAverage wait for a Section 8 Voucher is 35
months
Contemporary Homelessness
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – 1987
Provided federal aid to shelter programsWide range of services to the homeless through 15
different programsHomeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid
Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH) – 2009Focus on homeless preventionReauthorized McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act.
Contemporary Homelessness
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
New York CityEarly 1980’s Welfare Hotels Depicts through interviews with parents and children what life was like for them. The living conditions, the occupational deprivation they experienced and the psycho-social consequences of being homeless.
Homelessness in Clark CountyHomeless population in
Clark County as of January 2011: 9, 432 people 43, 294 people estimated
total for the year
TOTAL NUMBER OF FAMILIES WITH KIDS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE: 306 families
Gender: Males-63 % females 37%
Race: 47% Caucasian 29% African American, 12% Latino 5%Asian/Pacific islander
Age: 62 % between 31-60 years
of age
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition & Applied
Research, 2011
Socioeconomic Factors Top three reasons for
homelessness as of 2011: 50% -Job loss 26% -Alcohol/drug use 12% -Family/domestic violence
TANF-temporary assistance for needy families-money for housing, clothes, food
A life time limit of 60 months
Total assets must be less than $2,000 Example: For a father and his 12
year old son $316 for a month
Snap-(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)-food stamps-
Similar eligibility Example: a family of three $526 (Nevada Legal Services, 2013)
Section 8-The family pays 30-40% of the monthly rent and Southern Nevada Regional Housing (SNRH) Authority pays the remaining rent This is an agreement with a
private owner and (SNRH) (Nevada Legal Services, 2013)
Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition & Applied Research, 2011
Las Vegas is fueled by tourism, gaming, and entertainment.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the “Great Recession” began in December of 2007 and ended June 2009 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012).
In Las Vegas in December of 2007 the unemployment rate was 6.8% and as of July 2012 it was 12% (Anderson, 2012).
Socioeconomic Factors
Las Vegas is a mixing pot of cultures as is the homeless population.
Clark County is a fast growing county. From 2009-2010 approximately 30,000 people
moved to Clark County (Kulin, 2010).Based on tourism, gaming, and
entertainmentA fast paced culture Clark County is a melting pot of cultures.
In 2011 21.9% of Clark County’s population was born in a different country. (US Census Bureau, 2013)
Sociocultural Factors
SocioculturalFeelings of
oppressionExtra vigilantDepressedFrustration Low self-esteemA desire to belong Stress
Beliefs
Duty
Faith
Hope
ValuesCommitment
Loyalty
Sacrifice
Customary Practice
Advocacy
SupportDiligenc
e
Patterns of instability Financial Housing Employment Food
Diminished family integrity Broken homes Isolation Limited social support
Decreased opportunities Cycle of poverty Social capital Limited access to healthcare( Schultz-Krohn, 2004)
Social Justice
Oppressed & MarginalizedExtrinsic FactorsNegative societal
viewsSupports are
inadequateBreakdown of family
unitShelter
EnvironmentsExposure to violenceLoss of privacyLoss of freedomLoss of agency
Intrinsic FactorsPoor physical healthLack of skills Lack of educationDepressionAnxietyHopelessnessAlcohol AbuseDrug Abuse
High rates of family separationShelters may not allow fathersStress pulls families apartChildren sent to stay with relatives
Correlation between foster care placement and homelessness12% of children of homeless families are placed
in foster care (compared to 1% of other children).
Most homeless families consist of a mother with two children.
Homeless Families:Creating a cycle of oppression
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
Role performance is impactedDifficult to
Nurture Providing Protect
Meaningful occupations are impacted or eliminatedWork Meal preparationKeeping a homeEngaging in play-time/family timeSchool occupations Leisure
Occupational Deprivation
Difficult to access health careMost must got to an emergency room to receive
healthcareIncreased rates of chronic health problems among
mothersFour times rate of ulcers than other womenTen times the rate of anemia than other women
Children have increased rate of illness & poor healthInfections (ear & respiratory)Twice as likely to have AsthmaPoor nutrition leading to obesityTwice as likely to go hungry.
Physical Health
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
Mothers92% have been victims of violence.Three times the rate of posttraumatic stress disorderTwice the rate of drug and alcohol abuseNearly half of suffer from major depression
Children 63% are exposed to violenceTwice the rate of emotional disturbances Severe aggression and hostility seen in 16% of
preschoolers and 36% of school-age children.Nearly 50% suffer from anxiety, depression and
withdrawal
Mental Health
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
Low education among homeless parents53% of mothers didn’t finish High School
Children who are homeless experience educational disruptionLow math & reading proficiency rates Twice the rate of learning disabilitiesIncreased risk for delayed developmentIncreased risk for suspension, being expelled,
or dropping out of school.
Education
The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011.
Empower and advocate: Help reduce barriers and instill needed skills
Interventions:EmploymentEducation prospectsMoney managementCoping skillsLeisure activities
(Thomas, Gray, McGinty, 2011)
Role of Occupational Therapy
Anderson, B. (2012, July). Economic summary. Retrieved f rom http://www.nevadaworkforce.com/admin/uploadedPublications/2807_Current_EIB.pdf
Carlson, S. (n.d.). A history of homelessness in America [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from www.pitt.edu/~super7/47011-48001/47461.ppt
HCH Clinician's Network. (2000, February). Protecting the mental health of homeless children & youth. Healing Hands, 4(1), 1-4. Retrieved from http://www.nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hh.02_00.pdfHolgersson-Shorter, H. (2010). Helping the homeless in school and out. Teaching Tolerance,38, 47-50.Kozol, J. (1988). Rachel and her children: Homeless families in America. New York, NY: Fawcett Columbine.Kulin, D. (2011). Clark county population grows slightly. Retrieved from
http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/news/pages/ClarkCountyPopulationGrowsSlightly.aspxNational Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (2011). America History of Homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.npach.org/american-history-of-homelessness.htmlNevada Legal Services. (2013). Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Retrieved from http://www.nlslaw.net/tanf.htmlPark, J. M., Fertig, A. R., & Metraux, S. (2011).Changes in maternal health and health behaviors as a function of homelessness. Social Service Review, 85(4), 565-585.
References
References Powers-Costell, E. & Swick, K. J. (2008). Exploring the dynamics of teacher perceptions of homeless children and families during the early years. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36, 241-245. doi: 10.1007/s10643-008-0249-0Schultz-Krohn, W. (2004). The meaning of family routines in a homeless shelter. The
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(5), 531-541.Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition & Applied Research (2011). 2011 Southern Nevada homeless census & survey comprehensive report. Retrieved from
http://www.helphopehome.org/2011_Southern_Nevada_Homeless_Report_FINALv2.pdfThe National Center on Family Homelessness (2011). The characteristics and needs of families experiencing homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.familyhomelessness.org/families.php?p=tsThomas, Y., Gray, M., & McGinty, S. (2011). A systematic review of occupational therapy
interventions with homeless people. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 25(1), 38-53.US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012, February). The recession of 2007-2009. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2012/recession/pdf/recession_bls_spotlight.pdfUS Census Bureau. (2013). Quick facts. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/32/32003.html
Anderson, B. (2012, July). Economic summary. Retrieved f rom http://www.nevadaworkforce.com/admin/uploadedPublications/2807_Current_EIB.pdf
Applied Survey Research. (2011). Southern nevada homeless census and survey comprehensivereport. Retrieved from http://www.appliedsurveyresearch.org/projects_database/homelessness/southern-nevada-homeless-census-survey.html
Kulin, D. (2011). Clark county population grows slightly. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/news/pages/ClarkCountyPopulationGrowsSlightly.aspx
Nevada Legal Services. (2013). Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Retrieved from http://www.nlslaw.net/tanf.html
US Burearu of Labor Statistics. (2012, February). The recession of 2007-2009. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2012/recession/pdf/recession_bls_spotlight.pdfUS Census Bureau. (2013). Quick facts. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/32/32003.html
References