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Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

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2010

Homelessness among Families with Children

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Full-Text Articles in Architecture

Ending Family Homelessness In Massachusetts: A New Approach For The Emergency Assistance Program, Dennis P. Culhane, Thomas Byrne May 2010

Ending Family Homelessness In Massachusetts: A New Approach For The Emergency Assistance Program, Dennis P. Culhane, Thomas Byrne

Dennis P. Culhane

This paper explores the current opportunity for policy reform of the Emergency Assistance (EA) system in Massachusetts. Recent initiatives by the state are described that have provided a context for systems change. Some of the challenges posed by the current program are discussed, particularly the lack of cost containment, and the resulting fact that significant public resources are spent supporting long-term stays in shelters and motels, which are not good for families or children. After an exploration of funding and resource issues, the paper concludes by establishing the foundation for changing the current system into one that would be outcome …


Behavioral Health Services Use Among Heads Of Homeless And Housed Poor Families, Jung Min Park, Stephen Metraux, Dennis P. Culhane Dec 2009

Behavioral Health Services Use Among Heads Of Homeless And Housed Poor Families, Jung Min Park, Stephen Metraux, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Objectives. This study compares the use of and cost for behavioral health services among heads of homeless and housed poor families. Methods. Medicaid records for 59,135 heads of families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits were matched with data from Philadelphia’s municipal shelter system. Propensity score matching was used to select a matched control group to those identified as having been homeless between 1997 and 2003. Behavioral health services utilization was then assessed based on Medicaid claims records. Results. Substantially higher levels of behavioral health services use and corresponding costs were found among heads of families with a history …