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- Creators: Barrett, The Honors College
Description
In this project dubbed "Arizona Homeless Solutions," the reporter attempted to take a solutions journalism approach to covering family homelessness in Arizona with an emphasis on one program, Save the Family. As a state, Arizona has been remarkably successful in reducing the number of homeless families in the state. According to the 2016 State of Homelessness in America Report, the state reduced its number of homeless family households by 22 percent, the sixth largest reduction nationally. This success is due in large part to the effective collaboration of a variety of organizations. But one program in particular, Save the Family, had received praise throughout the community for its successful and innovative intervention effort. The organization was also very data-conscious, making it a good program to look at for a solutions journalism approach. Solutions journalism is a form of journalism that attempts to go beyond simply reporting on a problem. Instead, it focuses on the responses to social issues, and takes a critical look at how successful or unsuccessful an effort is and what can be learned from it. It is a rigorous, evidence-based and critical approach to reporting, that really is not all that different from traditional in-depth reporting. The reporter spent about a year putting this approach into practice by dissecting two of the organizations major intervention programs, transitional housing and rapid rehousing. He interviewed seven full-time staff members on multiple occasions. He also interviewed experts from Maricopa County Continuum of Care, as well as individuals from the City of Mesa and another homeless service provider, UMOM New Day Centers. Lastly, the reporter spent time with one family that had come through Save the Family's transitional housing program and is now permanently stabilized in a house all their own. During the process of reporting, the reporter also maintained a blog on the AZ Homeless Solutions website in which he chronicled his reporting experience, publishing anecdotes from his notebook and short blurbs on catching parts of his interviews. He would also post about current homeless advocacy events. The blog ultimately had about a dozen posts. After months of reporting and maintaining the blog, the reporter produced a solutions journalism piece on Save the Family's effort that was about 2,500 words in length. The final product was published on the website.
ContributorsClark, Charles Taylor (Author) / Gilger, Kristin (Thesis director) / West, Maureen (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This paper describes Social Determinants of Health and the implementation of a screener. Social Determinants are structural drivers in an individual's life that affect their status of health. A screener's potential effectiveness at a student-run interdisciplinary clinic was also explored in the paper through the analysis of Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW). SHOW's framework allows for a unique implementation of the screener because of the vulnerable population it serves, and the flexibility of the organization's structure. Its interdisciplinary nature allows for the SDOH screener to be integrated into its process more easily, especially with the presence of disciplines such as social work. A Social Determinants of Health questionnaire can be an important instrument to increase effectiveness in patient care by acknowledging each patient's situation more comprehensively, and moving forward with the most appropriate care plan. Among a vulnerable population such as those experiencing homelessness, an SDOH screener can identify key areas of focus that patients need addressed in order to improve their health status. A literature review was conducted to observe previous screener structures and questions. A model screener and best practices are provided as a guide for other clinics to use and adapt in their own settings. The domains of the sample screener questionnaire are tailored to serve populations with housing insecurity. The hope is to move forward with this screener after further modification of the questions, resources associated to each, and its prospective connection to the EHR system. The screener is planned to be executed at the SHOW clinic in Fall of 2018. In conclusion, a social determinants of health screener should be implemented in interdisciplinary clinics in a similar manner to SHOW's approach, to shift the focus of healthcare toward patient-centered care.
ContributorsThomas, Christy Maria (Author) / Reddy, Swapna (Thesis director) / Essary, Alison (Committee member) / School for the Science of Health Care Delivery (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Homelessness is a pervasive in American society. The causes of homelessness are complex, but health and homelessness are inextricably linked. Student-run free clinics care for underserved populations, including people experiencing homelessness, but they have multiple agendas—to provide care but also to give students hands-on experience. It is plausible that these two agendas may compete and give patients sub-par quality of care.
This study examines patient care in the SHOW free clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, which serves adults experiencing homelessness. This study asks two questions: First, do clinicians in Phoenix’s SHOW free clinic discuss with patients how to pay for and where to access follow-up services and medications? Second, how do the backgrounds of patients, measured by scales based on the Gelberg-Anderson behavioral model for vulnerable populations, correlate with patient outcomes, including number of unmet needs in clinic, patient satisfaction with care, and patient perceived health status? To answer these questions, structured surveys were administered to SHOW clinic patients at the end of their visits. Results were analyzed using Pearson’s correlations and odds ratios. 21 patients completed the survey over four weeks in February-March 2017. We did not identify any statistically significant correlations between predisposing factors such as severity/duration of homelessness, mental health history, ethnicity, or LGBTQ status and quality of care outcomes. Twenty nine percent of surveyed patients reported having one or more unmet needs following their SHOW clinic visit suggesting an important area for future research. The results from this study indicate that measuring unmet needs is a feasible alternative to patient satisfaction surveys for assessing quality of care in student-run free clinics for homeless populations.
This study examines patient care in the SHOW free clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, which serves adults experiencing homelessness. This study asks two questions: First, do clinicians in Phoenix’s SHOW free clinic discuss with patients how to pay for and where to access follow-up services and medications? Second, how do the backgrounds of patients, measured by scales based on the Gelberg-Anderson behavioral model for vulnerable populations, correlate with patient outcomes, including number of unmet needs in clinic, patient satisfaction with care, and patient perceived health status? To answer these questions, structured surveys were administered to SHOW clinic patients at the end of their visits. Results were analyzed using Pearson’s correlations and odds ratios. 21 patients completed the survey over four weeks in February-March 2017. We did not identify any statistically significant correlations between predisposing factors such as severity/duration of homelessness, mental health history, ethnicity, or LGBTQ status and quality of care outcomes. Twenty nine percent of surveyed patients reported having one or more unmet needs following their SHOW clinic visit suggesting an important area for future research. The results from this study indicate that measuring unmet needs is a feasible alternative to patient satisfaction surveys for assessing quality of care in student-run free clinics for homeless populations.
ContributorsWilson, Ethan Sinead (Author) / Jehn, Megan (Thesis director) / Harrell, Susan (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This thesis examines Care Not Cash, a welfare reform measure that replaced traditional cash General Assistance program payments for homeless persons in San Francisco with in-kind social services. Unlike most welfare reform measures, proponents framed Care Not Cash as a progressive policy, aimed at expanding social services and government care for this vulnerable population. Drawing on primary and secondary documents, as well as interviews with homelessness policy experts, this thesis examines the historical and political success of Care Not Cash, and explores the potential need for implementation of a similar program in Phoenix, Arizona.
ContributorsMcCutcheon, Zachary Ryan (Author) / Lucio, Joanna (Thesis director) / Williams, David (Committee member) / Bretts-Jamison, Jake (Committee member) / School of Public Affairs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Since underserved individuals do not have a steady supply of food, this study explored whether their standards of what they view as healthy differs from individuals who can afford a basic living that includes food and shelter. Data collection from surveys provided information to see whether the struggles of obtaining food affects what is perceived as healthy, and whether there is a difference in dietary habits, perception of body image, and self-esteem. Homeless individuals displayed that they were more aware than non-homeless individuals that the food they were consuming was unhealthy. They were also less satisfied with their daily food diet, as most of them wished that they ate greater quantities of certain foods. Their daily food intake did confirm that they consumed more unhealthy food that lacked nutrition compared to non-homeless individuals. They also generally believed that thicker body images were healthier and more attractive compared to non-homeless people who thought that thinner body images were healthier and attractive. Homeless people also generally ranked lower on the body image scale than the image they thought was most desirable and healthy. This revealed a lack of satisfaction with their own current body. Additionally, the self-efficacy score displayed that homeless individuals generally scored lower for their self-esteem level compared to non-homeless people. This demonstrated that their daily struggles and lifestyle impacts their emotions and overall confidence.
ContributorsAhir, Khushbu (Author) / Gaughan, Monica (Thesis director) / Hackman, Joseph (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
With homelessness existing in the complex web of poverty that persists in the living environments that stretch across this nation, it has become incredibly important to understand the intricacies that navigate and perpetuate this in our society. With homelessness being an individual experience of struggle and survival, the current dialogue does not reflect such. The current dialogue communicates homelessness as a shared hardship, a result of similar decisions. Such dialogue has shown to be malevolent and accusatory, as it makes no room to portray the individual experience, and the actual cause and perpetuation of such a living situation. Attached to the concept of homelessness are specific stereotypes, generalizations, and negative assumptions, which go into creating the grounds for biases and stigma that revolve around the image of homelessness. To gauge the current dialogue that exists around homelessness and how this dialogue is internalized, one-on-one interviews were conducted. These interviews produced narratives that were pieced together to present a more inclusive, understanding, and holistic dialogue around the concept and human experience of homelessness, and poverty altogether. These narratives reveal the flaws and social injustices that are posed by the current dialogue, and further provide the necessary pieces to improve such conversations. In transforming the current dialogue, the human experience of homelessness can be greater understood and, therefore, redefine the vitality of a shared humanity.
ContributorsKiermayr, Hannah Theresa (Author) / Sandoval, Mathew (Thesis director) / Cruz-Torres, Maria (Committee member) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility (e.g., practicality and demand) of a 4-week series of yoga classes in a homeless shelter. Participants: Five current residents of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) and the Chief of Programming at CASS. Methods: Each shelter resident participated in a 5-minute interview answering questions regarding the demand of implementing a yoga program at CASS. The Chief of Programming participated in a 30-minute interview answering questions regarding the practicality of implementing a 4-week series yoga program at the homeless shelter. Results: CASS residents reported a strong desire to attend a yoga program. The Chief of Programming at CASS reported that implementing a yoga program would conflict with the overall goal of the shelter. Conclusion: Implementing a 4-week series yoga program is not feasible at CASS although there is a strong demand for a yoga program among the homeless population of the Phoenix metro area.
ContributorsSamuels, Jasmyne Angelique (Author) / Hart, Teresa (Thesis director) / Huberty, Jennifer (Committee member) / Pearl, Julia (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
The United States is arguably the most powerful country in the world boasting the largest GDP and yet there are over half a million homeless Americans as of November 2015. While traditional solutions to combat homelessness adequately assist the majority of people experiencing homelessness as a short-term issue, traditional solutions do not serve the complex needs of the chronically homeless. One creative solution being applied across the nation to end chronic homelessness is Housing First. This report assesses the feasibility of a Housing First program in Tucson Arizona to reduce unsheltered rates. It discusses the current state of homelessness across the nation and in Tucson, explains the existing methods used to reduce unsheltered rates and explores the cost and benefits of implementing such a program. This report concludes with recommendations for implementing a Housing First program in Tucson, Arizona.
ContributorsZamora, Emilia Faye (Author) / Samuelson, Melissa (Thesis director) / Lamoreaux, Phillip (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Resilience is defined as an individual's ability to cope or "bounce back" after experiencing stressful life events (Rew et al., 2001). Survivors of trauma who express high levels of resilience are more likely to experience positive future life outcomes than equally troubled peers with lower resilience scores. It is possible to increase resilience by targeting several core factors: (1) personal competence, (2) sense of belonging, (3) sense of optimism (Lee et al., 2009). I developed an eight-week creative writing curriculum to boost these three core factors in the hopes of both increasing resilience in homeless youth while also introducing creating writing as an effective coping strategy. Each one-hour session included free-form writing exercises, mindfulness practices, writing workshops, and group presentations. Prompts and activities were carefully developed to encourage resilience-building in a group of homeless children and adolescents of ages seven to fourteen at Homeward Bound in Phoenix. With sample writing works and facilitator feedback, this curriculum was designed to be exceptionally easy and cost effective for future implementation. I hope that other organizations in the future will consider implementing this program to help build resilience in youth who have experienced childhood trauma.
ContributorsPopeski, Cara (Author) / Popova, Laura (Thesis director) / Cavanaugh Toft, Carolyn (Committee member) / Pickhart, Kalani (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Introduction. Evidence shows that the United States' healthcare system is inefficient and lacks the quality and cost-effectiveness of other systems. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement outlined the Triple Aim to improve the healthcare system through 1) improvement of population health for a defined population, 2) enhance the patient care experience, and 3) reduce per capita cost of care. The World Health Organization has identified interprofessional practice (IPP) and interprofessional education (IPE) as a possible approach to achieve the Triple Aim. The Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW) initiative is an interprofessional free clinic and outreach initiative for individuals experiencing homelessness. The goal of the current study was to evaluate whether interprofessional care delivery through SHOW moved SHOW's practice towards the Triple Aim for SHOW's defined population. Methods and Results. Data assessing adherence to Triple Aim goals of population health and costs of care were collected from voluntary post-visit patient satisfaction surveys, while data assessing patient experience were collected from shift rosters of SHOW versus a similar non-interprofessional clinic. SHOW, on average, provided access to more disciplines than a similar non-interprofessional clinic. Access to care cost savings was assessed by surveying patients on where they would have sought care elsewhere SHOW had not been available ; of the 53 patients surveyed, 14 indicated they would have gone to the emergency department (ED); in all, SHOW diverted a little over $30,000 in patient ED visits. Improved health outcomes were measured by each patient's self-perception of his/her health. 91% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that their health had been improved by coming to the clinic. Conclusion. Preliminary data suggest that SHOW's IPP care delivery results in high patient satisfaction rates and positive self-perception of health outcomes, thus may improve the patient experience and minimize costs of care by deterring ED visits within the population. Further studies are needed to determine how specific aspects of interprofessional care can further move towards Triple Aim objectives.
ContributorsSingh, Sukhdeep (Co-author) / Paode, Pooja (Co-author) / Harrell, Liz (Thesis director) / Wermers, Rita (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05