Does Street Outreach Engage Its Intended Target Population? Clinical Experience in the Veteran ’s Health Administration Homeless Service Programs

Conclusion: Despite epidemiologic evidence in the literature showing higher medical, psychiatric, and social and financial vulnerabilities among unsheltered homeless individuals, our street outreach group was not found to be any worse off on such variables than the clinic-referred or self-referred groups, other than increased time unsheltered. Outreach workers seem to engage more unsheltered individuals, but do not necessarily engage those with such severe vulnerabilities. Dedicated outreach program funding, training, and suppor t are needed to support street outreach to those with the most severe problems.
Source: Psychiatric Quarterly - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research