Advocating for the Unsheltered Homeless:

1. Advocating for the Unsheltered Homeless: An Action Research Model

2. A Presentation by: The Homeless Count Taskforce a subcommittee of the Springfield MSA Continuum of Care sponsored by

3. Presented by: Alissa C. Jecklin, MSW Missouri State University Mary Anne Jennings, PhD Missouri State University Christopher P. Smith, MSW Community Partnership of the Ozarks and Danell McCoy Vaughan, MSW CommunityPartnership of the Ozarks

4. Project Overview Service learning partnership Missouri State University School of Social Work Community Partnership of the Ozarks Continuum of Care (CoC) Assessment of needs of homeless persons in a tri-county, rural-urban community

5. Reciprocal Benefits Continuum of Care Methodologically sound assessment of the homeless population Greater legitimacy of data University/Faculty Exploration of research questions—spirituality Greater engagement with community Fulfillment of public affairs mission Students Professional development Applied research experience Skills in professional collaboration

6. Reciprocal Benefits Community-at-large HUD grant funding (over $1 million) Targeting resources to critical needs Engagement/advocacy opportunities Homeless Community Opportunity to have voices heard Targeted resources should meet needs more effectively

7. Methodology of 2007 Count Street Count of Unsheltered Homeless Built rapport Sample Data collection Approach Training

8. Methodology of 2007 Count • In-depth Interview Instrument • Informed consent • Incentives • Training • Examples of categories of items: • Disabilities • Demographics • Experiences with homelessness (e.g., frequency, injury, length) • Veteran status • Use of services • Perceived needs

9. Initial Project Findings Street Count: 266 unsheltered homeless 500% increase Solid baseline data Initial database completed In-Depth Interviews: 114 completed Comprehensive report with detailed information on 26 variables Useful tool for grant writers, advocates, and researchers

10. Sample of Initial Project Findings • Mean age = 41.32 years (range = 20 to 65) • Mean education = 11.63 years • 37% no permanent place 2 or more years • 66% in Springfield more than 2 years • 52% family contact 0 to 7 days • 80% some kind of disabling condition • 95% belief in higher power • 25% in foster care • 18% veterans

11. Student Activities Fundraising Street counting Interviewing Training Instrument Design Volunteer Recruitment Data Analysis Presentation of Results

12. Community Engagement Donations Reports in the media Homelessness Policies Community Volunteers Simulation Exercise Survival Game

13. What Learned from Counts • Best locations • Training • Expansion of count • In Springfield • In rural areas • Capacity building activities • Expansion to other disciplines and other universities (nutrition) • Community volunteers to count (e.g., churches) • Modification of interview instrument

14. Long-Range Plan Funding Grants Business community Additional CASL opportunities Interdisciplinary Cooperation Methodology

15. Questions?