Date of Paper
5-2015
Type of Paper
Clinical research paper
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Laurel N. Bidwell, Ph.D., LICSW
Department/School
Social Work
Abstract
This research set out to examine intervention programs and services targeting homeless children to identify if they were addressing the developmental needs of these children. This research used a systematic review of articles retrieved form scholarly databases. Sixteen articles were identified as meeting inclusion criteria and analyzed based on predetermined targeted intervention categories. The five categories of intervention that were focused on were basic needs, physical health, mental health, educational, and independent living skills. Additionally, this research looked at if the intervention was focused solely on the child or was a family focused intervention. This research found that many of the programs did focus on developmental needs over basic needs. However, the findings did reveal the areas of physical health and independent living skills were focused on less often than mental health and education. It was also identified that families were often part of child focused interventions. Future research on programming for children experiencing homelessness should focus on the effectiveness and long term outcomes of participation in these programs.
Recommended Citation
Foss, Erin M.. (2015). Programming That Targets the Needs of Children Experiencing Homeless: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/451