Since trauma also influences how people approach and respond to services, it is critical that organizations serving trauma survivors recognize trauma symptoms, acknowledge the role that trauma has played in their clients’ lives, and better understand and address the needs of those with trauma histories. The goal of this approach—known as trauma-informed care—is to avoid […]
Healing Hands: Trauma Informed Care Read More >>
Homeless individuals disproportionately suffer from medical disorders. They have higher rates of diabetes, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, musculoskeletal problems, depression, and other disabilities that are often associated with both acute and chronic pain.1,2,3,4,5 These morbidities afflicting the homeless can be amplified by unstable housing, exposure to weather and temperature extremes, the prevalence of violence, psychiatric
Pain management | Innovations in Chronic Pain Management: New Models of Care Read More >>
This document contains the client education and pregnancy counseling protocols for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, posted with permission. Download Research (PDF)
San Francisco Department of Public Health: Family Planning Program Read More >>
Actions to take and general comments about life threatening adult mental health emergencies. Download Research (PDF)
Adult Urgent Mental Health Protocol Read More >>
Quick Tips for shelter providers/outreach staff for keeping people warm in cold weather and recognizing and dealing with hypothermia and frostbite. Health Care for the Homeless Network, Public Health – Seattle & King County. Download Research (PDF)
Quick Tips for Shelter & Outreach Providers Read More >>
Seven hundred people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are killed from hypothermia annually in the United States. Forty-four percent of the nation’s homeless are unsheltered. From the urban streets of our populated cities to the remote back-country of rural America, hypothermia – or subnormal temperature in the body – remains a leading, critical and
Winter Homeless Services: Bringing Our Neighbors in from the Cold Read More >>
The February 2009 issue of Healing Hands addressed challenges of comorbid mental illness and substance-related disorders. Due to their prevalence, these co-occurring disorders present difficult treatment problems for Health Care for the Homeless providers. Clinicians across the United States responded that co-occurring medical issues also were integral to the care needs of their homeless clients.
Healing Hands: Caring for Clients with Comorbid Psychiatric & Medical Illnesses Read More >>
Comorbid mental illness and substance-related disorders—commonly known as co-occurring disorders (COD) or dual diagnosis—present difficult treatment problems. Clients with COD are extremely heterogeneous with respect to type and severity of illness, personal skills, and available care networks. Those who are homeless may be at increased risk for exacerbated illness due to limited treatment access and
