Working with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Course overview

There are close to 600,000 people experiencing homelessness in any given night in the U.S. There has been a 30% increase in individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2021). From financial barriers, client resistance, and lack of trust, to fragmented care and support, individuals experiencing homelessness and their families face unique challenges that complicate the provision of treatment. In this course, you will learn about the physical and mental health disparities that individuals who are homeless face, as well as the everyday dynamics of homelessness that complicate their involvement with service providers. The goal of this course is to help addictions, behavioral health counseling, case management, marriage and family therapy, psychology, nursing, physicians, and social work professionals in behavioral healthcare settings gain knowledge about barriers and interventions when working with individuals experiencing homelessness. Inclusion of SAMHSA content does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Government.