Abstract
This study examines the impact of a work-skills program grounded in an integrated services approach on both employment and
related life domains among homeless individuals. Six hundred thirty-eight participants in a 14-week work-skills program at
a large day center in New England completed assessments at intake between 1999 and 2007; a subsample of 333 also completed
assessments at graduation from the program; a smaller subsample of 55 participants were re-assessed 6 months after graduation.
These assessments measured work and related life skills, employment, housing status, general health status, substance use,
self-esteem and self-efficacy, and legal involvement. Results revealed improvement in all types of work and related life skills,
employment and income, and multiple other life domains from baseline to graduation and follow-up. Exploratory analyses suggested
that improvements in work and related life skills were associated with improvement in self-esteem and self-efficacy, and that
these improvements predicted stable housing situations at follow-up. Overall, these findings indicate that, for individuals
struggling with the challenges of homelessness, completion of a work-skills program has a positive impact on skills and employment,
and on a diverse set of life domains.
related life domains among homeless individuals. Six hundred thirty-eight participants in a 14-week work-skills program at
a large day center in New England completed assessments at intake between 1999 and 2007; a subsample of 333 also completed
assessments at graduation from the program; a smaller subsample of 55 participants were re-assessed 6 months after graduation.
These assessments measured work and related life skills, employment, housing status, general health status, substance use,
self-esteem and self-efficacy, and legal involvement. Results revealed improvement in all types of work and related life skills,
employment and income, and multiple other life domains from baseline to graduation and follow-up. Exploratory analyses suggested
that improvements in work and related life skills were associated with improvement in self-esteem and self-efficacy, and that
these improvements predicted stable housing situations at follow-up. Overall, these findings indicate that, for individuals
struggling with the challenges of homelessness, completion of a work-skills program has a positive impact on skills and employment,
and on a diverse set of life domains.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-012-9490-5
- Authors
- Sarah E. Nelson, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medford, MA 01060, USA
- Heather M. Gray, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medford, MA 01060, USA
- Ingrid R. Maurice, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medford, MA 01060, USA
- Howard J. Shaffer, Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medford, MA 01060, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853