A Trauma Informed, Community Based Grassroots Approach to Homelessness

Homelessness, as described by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an increasing problem in the United States.  According to the NYC Coalition for the Homeless, 56,000 individuals slept in municipal shelters on October 13, 2014.  Countless more slept on the streets or in other public places.  Research shows that homeless individuals often have significant trauma histories, which can make integration into society more difficult.  This presentation will focus on the findings from a pilot evaluation of grassroots, community-based life skills empowerment programs for homeless adults in the NYC area.  The adults served by the programs are in the general homeless population or are homeless due to domestic violence, post-incarceration, or are returning veterans. The Life Skills Empowerment Program (LSEP) model has been in existence for over 20 years and has served over 1,000 individuals.  This pilot demonstration followed 78 individuals from pre-program to post-program, and 58 from pre-program all the way to six-month follow up.  The program is multi-faceted and trauma informed, serving as a conduit to developing ways to better manage life circumstances, re-integrate into society and community successfully, and improve overall well being. Programming for vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, often fails to include development of community and social support, thus this is a unique model with potential for replication across the United States. 

Utilizing validated measurement tools, including the Sense of Coherence scale, Post-Traumatic Checklist, and SAMHSA National Outcomes Measures, significant findings indicated that participants demonstrated higher life management and coping abilities, as well as decreases in trauma symptoms from baseline to post-program and held these changes 6-months post program completion.  Correlations were used to demonstrate the relationship between life management and trauma, showing that trauma significantly impacted the participants’ ability to function and manage life circumstances.  Improvements in trauma symptomatology were correlated with improvements in ability to manage life circumstances.  Following these improvements and successful program completion, participants were able to set and begin working toward goals, including improving education and gaining employment.  Regression analyses were conducted, demonstrating the existence of a successful program model.  Limitations, including sample size due to piloting will be discussed. This study shows that multi-faceted trauma informed programming that includes development of new community and social support has promise in creating pathways to better lives for homeless individuals. Larger program evaluations are in progress, with plans for capacity building and further replication.