1 / 20

The Homeless of Columbus, GA

The Homeless of Columbus, GA. Stephanie Stewart. Who are they and how many are there?. Children In 2011-2012 school year, the number of students in the Muscogee school systems that were reported as homeless was 2212.

tadeo
Download Presentation

The Homeless of Columbus, GA

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Homeless of Columbus, GA Stephanie Stewart

  2. Who are they and how many are there? Children • In 2011-2012 school year, the number of students in the Muscogee school systems that were reported as homeless was 2212. Homelessness Resource Network. (2013, June). Local data: Homelessness in our area? Retrieved from http://homelessresourcenetwork.org/index.php/resources/local-data/

  3. Who are they and how many are there? Adults • In 2011, the last point in time count of people sleeping on the streets and in shelters was 486. Some were veterans, others were previously your average citizen unable to find work, or recently fallen on hard times. Homelessness Resource Network. (2013, June). Local data: Homelessness in our area? Retrieved from http://homelessresourcenetwork.org/index.php/resources/local-data/

  4. Who are they? • They are people who may work, but make minimum wages, have a family and just can’t make rent • They may have been in jail with a felony conviction making finding a job almost impossible in today’s society

  5. Homelessness 101 • Individuals we see on the street corner asking for money are either NOT HOMELESS or are included in the 10% of people who are chronically homeless. • The other 90% of the homeless population are working, or have worked in the last month, or are disabled where they cannot work. • 20.2% of Muscogee County’s population lives in poverty.

  6. Homelessness 101 continued • The death rate of people experiencing homelessness is almost four times greater than that of the general population. • Harsh living conditions and constant exposure to the elements leave a person without a home more susceptible to acute illness and traumatic injuries. Homelessness Resource Network. (2013, June). Local data: Who is experiencing homelessness? Retrieved from http://homelessresourcenetwork.org/index.php/homelessness101/

  7. Affordable Health Care Act and the Homeless • The homeless population is at risk for multiple health disparities including but not limited to substance abuse and mental illness. • According to Healthcare.gov, community grants created by the Affordable Health Care Act will address the health disparities of those living in underserved geographic areas which include the homeless. HealthCare.gov (2013, June). Community Transformation Grants: Addressing Health Disparities and Improving Opportunities for Health retrieved from http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/09/disparities09272011a.html

  8. Acute and Chronic Diseases for the Homeless Population All of the following were reported as potential chronic and acute disease process as per FotoulaBabatsikou in the article entitled Homeless: A high risk group for the public health • Accident related injuries • Hypertension • Diabetes • Infectious Diseases • Depression and other mental illnesses

  9. Acute and Chronic Diseases for the Homeless Population • Poor living conditions which provide a great setting for the spreading of lice, fleas, mites • Poor hygiene conditions contribute to the above • Tobacco and alcohol abuse complicate health disease processes • Extreme temperatures which complicate thermoregulation

  10. Gaps in Services Housing, employment lack of health care • 1828 people in Columbus who are on a waiting list for public housing • Unemployment rate of 9.2% in Columbus = lack of jobs for homeless • Access to primary health care is limited

  11. Community Agencies Mercy Med of Columbus • For homeless people who have no primary care physician, or are in need of non-emergent care • Fee is based on income, if the patient has no income, the service is provided for free • Located at 3702 2nd Avenue in downtown Columbus • Public transportation stop close by the office Mercy Med of Columbus (2013, June). Retrieved from http://www.mercymedcolumbus.com/contact-connect

  12. Community Agencies The Medical Center a Columbus Regional Healthcare facility, serves the indigent of Columbus, GA It is located in downtown Columbus, GA within walking distance to several shelters, and on route with public transportation in Columbus.

  13. Community Agencies New Horizons • Specializes in developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and addictive diseases • Not for profit • Multiple locations all accessible by public transportation • 24 hour hotline for crisis (706) 323-0174 New Horizons Community Service Board (June 2013). About New Horizons. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizonscsb.org

  14. Additional community agencies • Valley Rescue mission – has multiple shelters for men, women and children, provides meals and spiritual assistance for those in need. House of Mercy • Hope Harbour Home for Good (United Way sponsored) • Salvation Army of Coumbus

  15. Nursing Roles with the Homeless • ADVOCATE • Educator • Case Manager • Direct care provider • Prevention specialist – when we come in contact with someone who is in crisis and on the border of becoming homeless, nurses need to have resources available

  16. Solutions to Help Reduce Homelessness in Columbus, GA Labeled as the two main ways to help reduce homelessness are Employment and Affordable Housing • Shelters and free meals are a temporary fix • Volunteering in your community to assist in any way possible helps your community

  17. Solutions to Help Reduce Homelessness in Columbus, GA • Helping homeless with job applications • Advocating for more affordable housing in the area • Educating the homeless on how to find healthcare in the area

  18. Solutions to Help Reduce Homelessness in Columbus, GA • Long term funding for public health in the communities where it is accessible by homeless • Prevention of homelessness by case management safety nets • Supportive social, economic and physical environments

  19. Solutions to Help Reduce Homelessness in Columbus, GA • The solution could start with you! • Take time and think of how you can be a part of the solution • Use your talents • Encourage others to do the same

  20. References • Babatskou, Fotoula, P. (2010). Homeless: A High Risk Group for the Public Health. Health Science Journal, 4. Retrieved from http://www.hsj.gr/volume4/issue2/421.pdf • HealthCare.gov (2013, June). Community Transformation Grants: Addressing Health Disparities and Improving Opportunities for Health retrieved from http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/09/disparities09272011a.html • Homelessness Resource Network. (2013, June). Local data: Homelessness in our area? Retrieved from http://homelessresourcenetwork.org/index.php/resources/local-data/ • New Horizons Community Service Board (June 2013). About New Horizons. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizonscsb.org • Mercy Med of Columbus (2013, June). Retrieved from http://www.mercymedcolumbus.com/contact-connect

More Related