Improving Social Work Practice with Persons Who are Homeless and Mentally Ill

Abstract

Presents a description of the challenges faced by staff (N = 16) working in community-based programs for homeless and mentally ill individuals, as well as the strategies they use and their perceptions of training needs and of desirable staff characteristics. Data were obtained from 2 focus group sessions held with staff running a model service intervention at 2 separate sites. Staff-perceived barriers associated with client behaviors and characteristics predominated at both sites. However, systemic and other external barriers were also frequently mentioned. Although not part of the focus group questions, staff spontaneously made mention of their personal feelings and how they were handled. Site differences were identified in the frequency with which certain strategies to handle client and systemic barriers were mentioned. Implications for the education and training of social workers who provide services to homeless and mentally ill individuals are emphasized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)