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Voices Of The Homeless: Phenomenological Portraits Of Parental Engagement Among Parents Experiencing Homelessness, Geneva Marie Winterbottom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Family homelessness is a widespread crisis that disrupts the educational experiences of thousands of children, including South Carolina where rates of family homelessness continue to grow. Although research has explored families and homelessness, limited research has focused on the parental engagement of homeless parents. This study explored the parental engagement among homeless parents in South Carolina.

Guided by van Manen’s (1990) interpretive phenomenology, four parents residing in a South Carolina homeless shelter participated in semi-structured interviews and created self portraits, which were analyzed using the hermeneutic circle to derive phenomenological insight.

Findings revealed that parental engagement while homeless was like …

Using Social Return On Investment To Evaluate Services That Support The Health Of People Experiencing Homelessness In Australia: A Scoping Review, Cate Mckenna, Christopher Rouen, Mary O'Loughlin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing demand for homelessness services in Australia highlights the need for robust evaluation methodologies to assess their social impact. Traditional economic evaluation methods often struggle to capture the intangible social and health outcomes associated with homelessness. Social return on investment (SROI), an outcomes-based framework driven by stakeholders, offers a flexible and comprehensive approach to measuring social, economic and environmental impacts. This scoping review examines the application of SROI in evaluating services that support the health of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Australia. A total of 25 reports from grey literature (2010-2023) were reviewed. The findings reveal …

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Educators As Mentors For Homeless And Highly Mobile Students In A Rural Community, Tracy Dawn Mcpheron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to explore how educators perceive an implemented mentoring program in which they will serve as mentors of homeless and highly mobile students in a rural school district. The mentoring program will include educators working as mentors to students coded as homeless through the McKinney-Vento Act for Homeless Education. The educators participating in the mentoring program will be the participants in this study. The participants will include middle school (6th-8th grade) through high school (12th grade), teachers, counselors, librarians, the district’s homeless liaison, and the federal programs coordinator for an East Tennessee school …

Best Practices For Supporting Homeless Youth Achieve Academic Success, Abeni Elizabeth Carr

Theses and Dissertations

California has amassed a vast and growing population of homeless people. There exists a need to discuss the more significant generational impact that homelessness presents for students in secondary schools and to develop strategic planning to dismantle cyclical homelessness. Currently, there is an alarming trend in the number of youths who are experiencing homelessness. While much research in the past observed families experiencing housing instability, there are also burgeoning patterns of youth who are enrolled in high school, yet are becoming homeless due to running away from home. Both nationally and in California, youth are running away from their families …

Demographic Profiles Of San Diego And Imperial Counties, Tessa Tinkler, Eo Hanabusa, Laura Deitrick, Connelly Meschen

Nonprofit Sector Issues and Trends

The Demographic Profiles of San Diego and Imperial Counties provides a snapshot of the two counties' vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, youth, immigrants, refugees, individuals experiencing homelessness, and retirement-age adults. While these counties differ in population size by more than an order of magnitude, the backdrop of California's rising cost of living, shifting immigration policies, income and health disparities, and the projections for an increasing aging population present compounding barriers to financial stability and access to services for all ages. Comprehensive data to understand these community needs was more readily available for San Diego County than Imperial County. This report …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Why Trafficking Victims End Up Running Away, Getting In Trouble, And Being Homeless, Makaylen Tadeo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sex trafficking of youth is something that requires people to think deeper as to how they ended up trading sex in the first place. Literature has shown that within adverse childhood experiences, abuse plays a significant factor. There are many types of abuse and a variety of harmful effects it can have on a child that is not only limited to physical and mental health but also to how they grow up and live in the world. Using the life course theory, this current study wanted to apply the concepts to explain how specific adverse childhood experiences in the form …

Living Apart After Adoption Or Guardianship: Perspectives Of Adoptive Parents And Guardians, Nancy Rolock, Amy E. Korsch-Williams, Chelsea Flanigan

Faculty Scholarship

Background: For children who are not reunified with their biological family members, the child welfare system promotes legal permanence through adoption or guardianship. The intent of adoption and guardianship is a safe home where children develop familial relationships that last a lifetime. However, issues may arise that result in children or youth living apart (LA) from their families after adoption or guardianship. In this study, LA is defined as a youth living outside the home after adoption or guardianship for two weeks or longer because the youth was receiving treatment in a residential or hospital setting, in a juvenile justice …

Uplifting An Invisible Population: How We Can Combine Psychology And Policy To Improve The Educational And Mental Health Outcomes Of Homeless Youth, Melissa Hamilton

Washington Semester Program

The goal of this thesis is to a) explain why homeless youth are frequently linked to poor mental health and education outcomes, and b) offer evidence-based suggestions that ought to be considered when developing any intervention aiming to improve the education and mental health of homeless youth. To accomplish this, prominent theories in both the psychology (ex: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) and political science (ex: failed implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act) fields that pertain to student homelessness were reviewed, and a comparative analysis of existing intervention models was conducted. Three key trends were identified across successful homeless youth intervention models …

A Critical Study Of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth In A Local Housing Program, Michael J. Warren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Housing programs available to youth experiencing homelessness offer varying types of supports and initiatives. However, few programs are created by and with the perspectives of these youth. This qualitative study examines the experiences of unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) while living in a housing program, identifies specific needs of UHY, and aims to learn of the political role the community and educational institutions play in empowering youth experiencing homelessness.

Implications highlight how critical pedagogy can be used by educational leaders to empower student voice and aims to shift student learning from a “banking” model to democratic participation. This research will advance …

Effects On Youth Experiencing Homelessness In Public Schools, Abby Golish

Counselor Education Capstones

Abstract

An examination of the issues of youth who are experiencing homelessness is crucial in supporting this vulnerable population. Public schools have a responsibility to assist these students in their academic, career, and social-emotional development. With unique, personal needs, students who are homeless must be understood by school counselors and other school personnel to be appropriately supported. Homelessness can be identified through many characteristics and identified needs. It is key for school counselors to recognize these characteristics and consider the impacts that the school and resources can make on the student’s life. Throughout the paper, the causes of homelessness, potential …

From The Mouths Of Women: The Life Model Of Homelessness, Janeal M. White

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify commonalities in life events preceding a first episode of homelessness for women living in shelters in Texas. This built on the work of Nooe & Patterson (2010) who identified fourteen factors that contributed to increased risk of homelessness as visualized in the Ecology of Homelessness. While based on existing literature at the time, Nooe & Patterson may not have heard clearly the voices of women with lived experience. The current study sought to explore how these risk factors manifest in the lived experiences of women residing in Texas homeless shelters.

The significance …

Integration Of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (Sane’S) Care Program, Erin B. Mehta

Theses and Graduate Projects

Sexual assault is a public health issue, especially for individuals experiencing homelessness, violence, and victimization. Barriers to post-sexual assault health care must be addressed to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness receive effective and adequate care. Traditionally found in Emergency Departments, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) offer patient-centered, comprehensive health care to sexual assault survivors. To reduce barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness, SANEs must be accessible where health care services are utilized. Guided by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and trauma-informed principles, this project aims to embed a SANE program into a homeless-specific Midwest Health Care Center. The SANE program will …

Screening For Human Trafficking: Best Practice Guidelines And Recommendations For Health Care Providers, Bernadette Portillo

Student Scholarly Projects

Human trafficking (HT) is a federal and international crime and is regarded as one of the most pressing human rights issues. Adult and minor victims are trafficked by force (rape, beatings, confinement), fraud, and coercion resulting in profound physical and psychological injuries (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019, p. 72; Department of Homeland Security, 2020; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 6). Most clinicians fail to recognize HT victims (Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; Mason, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Patient Safety Monitor Journal, 2017; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020). This policy brief’s purpose is to provide health …

Resources For The Homeless Youth, Cindy Garcia-Silva

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The internship was completed at Youth Alliance, across all of their projects. The rise in homelessness around San Benito county and its adjacent counties has caused numerous people to lose their homes. Most of these people are low income and their children have to go through losing their home, living in shelters, or seeking shelter with a family member or family friend. This project was devised and used to provide research and background information on homelessness and what it can do to youth who have to experience homelessness. The purpose for developing this binder is to help address the high …

Keeping The Child In Mind: A Mixed Methods Study Of Reflections On Parenting Among Families In Shelter, Ann Matthews

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Homelessness among families is a growing problem across the United States (Beard, 2020). Homelessness is associated with stressful and impoverished caregiving environments that contribute to problematic parent-child relationships and increase children’s risks for poor health and academic outcomes (e.g., Perlman et al., 2012).

Responsive caregiving may protect children from adverse outcomes and foster resilience during periods of homelessness (Labella et al., 2019; Miliotis et al., 1999; Perlman et al., 2012). A parent’s capacity to understand their own and their child’s behavior as a function of internal mental states supports such responsive caregiving (e.g., Fonagy & Target, 1997; Slade, 2005) and …

Transitioning To Housing First: Perceptions Of The Role Of The Rehabilitation Counselor In Serving Homeless Individuals With Disabilities In Puerto Rico, Ana Vanessa Serrano Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1980s, the federal government has developed strategies to eradicate homelessness in the US and its territories. The introduction of evidence-based practices like the Housing First Model helped decrease the number of people living homeless. Still, it continues to be a public health problem, especially among chronically homeless individuals, defined broadly as people with disabilities and substance abuse problems experiencing homelessness. Rehabilitation counselors are professionals specialized in serving individuals with disabilities. However, their role in programs identified as Housing First was unclear.

Thus, the study aimed to identify service providers' views, opinions, knowledge, and experiences about the role of …

A Community's Responsibility To Help Unaccompanied Homeless Teens, Spokane Valley, Calvin Bruce Coblentz

Doctor of Ministry

Homelessness is ubiquitous in communities across America. There are 1.5 million homeless school children annually. Over 125,000 are unaccompanied homeless youth detached from family. Many factors contribute to their homelessness, such as poverty, physical and sexual abuse, neglect, family conflict, addictions, mental illness, and sexual orientation. As difficult as it is in an abusive home, life does not usually improve when they depart. Homeless teens experience high rates of violence, sexual assault and exploitation, substance abuse, pregnancy, disease, leaving school, incarceration, unemployment, suicide, and dependency as adults.

This study explored the problem of unaccompanied teen homelessness in Eastern Spokane County, …

School Programming For Homelessness: Perspectives Of Families And Local Homeless Liaisons, Jazlynn J. Paige

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thisdissertation focuses on children experiencing homelessness and the effects homelessness has on their academic achievement from the perspective of the children, their parents, and local homeless liaisons. More importantly, this research explores what educators can do to create a positive, supportive, and stable environment at school for children experiencing homelessness by implementing an effective program or a number of support services. Data for the current study were gathered through phone and face-to-face interviews. The participants were 10 parent and child dyads living in a shelter and three school homeless liaisons. The semi-structured interviews focused on the resources, or lack thereof, …

Diminishing And Preventing Homelessness: A Managerial Audit Of Santa Clara County Nonprofit Organizations Addressing Homelessness, Sergio J. Gonzalez

Master's Projects

While the problem of homelessness intensifies in the United States, the search for solutions becomes increasingly crucial. As the number of homeless people in Santa Clara County, California continues to surge, various sections of government and nonprofit organizations have intensified their search for ways to reduce the problem. There have been many proposed ideas for a solution, such as policy options and emergency measures to address local crises. For example, the city of San Jose, California, has opened a “bridged housing” community, allocating 80 tiny homes with beds, a desk, and air conditioning in two locations to serve as temporary …

Predictors Of Urban Homeless Rates., Andrew John Bates

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation analyzes the differences among homeless rates in urban and suburban “continuums of care” (service areas for homelessness in the United States) over the period of 2014-2018. The purpose is to determine which variables are useful to predict the rates of two definitions of homelessness: the more extreme “Category One” homelessness as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): those unsheltered or living in homeless shelters; and the broader Department of Education definition of homelessness: families with children that are homeless, including those in Category One but also those living in hotels, staying temporarily with …

Working With The Homeless Population: An Exploratory Study Of Graduate Social Work Student’S Confidence And Willingness, Ana Rosa Ortiz, Mariam Kiara Lowe

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Homelessness is a multilayered problem that affects hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. The social work profession cannot rest on its laurels when large numbers of individuals and families suffer due to a lack of shelter, a necessity. Historically, social work was at the vanguard of interventions against homelessness. However, over the past 30 years or so, the profession arguably has shifted its focus toward micro practice. As a result, macro issues such as poverty and homelessness have received comparatively less interest in the field. Using an exploratory design, this study examined factors associated with level of …

A Program Implementation Fidelity Assessment Of A Housing First Program In Ontario, Steven Bigioni

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This research sought to assess the degree of fidelity to the Housing First model achieved by a new Housing First program in a mid-sized Canadian municipal region, and the factors that promoted or hindered fidelity therein. The program was delivering an adaptation to the Housing First model that prioritized home-based support, which was assessed simultaneously. Fidelity ratings were gathered by a team of researchers during a site visit that included observation of a staff meeting, seven interviews with program leaders and staff, two focus groups with program participants, and 10 chart reviews. Overall, the findings show a high degree of …

Stakeholder Input To The Development Of The Santa Clara County Lgbtq-Focused Shelter: A Process And Policy Analysis, Anthony Montalvo

Master's Projects

Due to elevated homelessness and growing hate crimes, an LGBTQ-focused shelter was developed and implemented by Office of Supportive Housing (OSH), along with the OLGBTQ (Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer). The following research investigated whether the process to design the LGBTQ-focused shelter program in Santa Clara county took the necessary steps to ensure that the program represents the community it intends to serve. Using process evaluation to identify the problem and proposed solutions, and policy analysis to examine the alternative solutions, the research answered the question: Did the approved design of the LGBTQ-focused shelter represent the stakeholder planning …

Hud’S Transitional Housing Unit Program’S Role In The Santa Clara County Community Plan To End Homelessness, Emilie Thorburn-Quihuis

Master's Projects

Counties in California invest local, state, and federal funds to try to end homelessness. At present the homeless numbers in Santa Clara County are among the highest in the U.S. at 6,556, with 33% of those being chronically homeless. Using process evaluation to compare permanent housing and shelter demographics and recurrence rates, how is the federal Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Transitional Housing Units Program (THU) in Santa Clara County meeting the goals of the county’s Community Plan to End Homelessness 2015-2020 (2013)?

Homelessness Among Women Veterans: A Systematic Review Of The Risk Factors, Staceyann Graham

Social Work Theses - Archive

Background: As more women joined the armed forces the population of women veterans inevitably increased and with it so did the rates of women veteran homelessness. Women veterans are a unique group of women who also possess protective factors from homelessness, yet are 3 to 4 times likely to become homeless than non-veteran women. The purpose of this systematic review is to glean from other articles and studies what the risk factors for women veteran homelessness are. Method: A systematic review of 7 articles were conducted using the PRISMA method as a guideline for selecting the articles. Results: 5 articles …

Ending Transitional Homelessness In San Jose, California: A Process Evaluation Of The City Of San Jose’S Plan To Convert A Hotel/Motel Into A Single Room Occupancy Living Unit For The Transitionally Homeless, Alyssa Garcia

Master's Projects

The City of San Jose has been working on the Hotel/Motel Supportive Housing Program and Underutilized City-Owned Property project since 2012. The City acquired the Plaza Hotel in downtown San Jose from the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Authority and leased the property to Abode. Abode converted the rooms into SRO units for the transitionally homeless and occupancy is expected in July of 2017. The program is estimated to operate for five years before it is torn down. The project is unique, as the city has never had a hotel/motel conversion program tailored towards transitionally homeless adults.

A process evaluation …

I Am More Than My Label, Taylor L. Teichman, Enid Melendez

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This workshop will offer experiential activities for youth allies to explore the foundational intersections between LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness and sexual violence. Introducing a framework of concrete tools, participants will identify at least three core resiliency factors of LGBTQ youth and be able to identify at least three concrete components for fostering community-wide support for these youth.

Commentary: Battles Won, But War On Vet Homelessness Continues, Christopher R. Fee, Joshua L. Stewart

English Faculty Publications

In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln called upon Americans "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan ..." These words have proven so influential that the Department of Veterans Affairs has adopted them as its motto. But how well have we as a nation risen to this call? [excerpt]

Transitional Planning And Homelessness Of Youths Emancipated From Foster Care, Sharon Patricia Sutherland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research has indicated that approximately 25% of the 30,000 youths emancipated from foster care each year experience negative outcomes including poor education attainment, limited employment opportunities, homelessness, lack of access to healthcare, and poor social networks. Despite the existence of federal legislation that requires foster care agencies to assist foster youths to make the transition to independent living, research has revealed that the current transitional planning process is not effective. There is a gap in the current literature regarding qualitative research on youths' shared experiences of the transitional planning process as they transit out of foster care. This study …

Toward Housing Stability: Exiting Homelessness As An Emerging Adult, Jeff Karabanow, Sean A. Kidd, Tyler Frederick, Jean Hughes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper explores the lives of formerly homeless young people as they transitioned towards housing stability. The study employed a longitudinal design involving 51 street youth in Halifax, N.S. (n = 21) and Toronto, ON (n = 30). This paper sheds light upon the pathways through which young people transitioned away from homelessness using the developmental lens of emerging adulthood: a stage involving numerous developmental struggles (identity, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between) but also an age filled with hope and possibilities. There are numerous interrelated factors at play that allow participants to regain a sense of citizenship with mainstream society. While …