This workshop will provide an overview of homelessness in your community. Participants will gain an awareness of homelessness and begin to recognize the ‘face’ of homelessness in Santa Cruz County; understanding who is at risk and why and exploring stereotypes and misconceptions. The connection between mental health, substance use, and homelessness will be explored. Participants will gain a better understanding of how those at high/low risk with acute physical illnesses, substance use, behavioral health issues, or long-term disabling conditions may lead to homelessness. Participants will gain an awareness of the contributing causes of homelessness, including current political, economic, and health concerns, specifically exploring the impacts of COVID-19 and learn to best provide trauma-informed care services to homeless individuals.
Topics Include:
- Gain an awareness of homelessness
- Understand your community’s “face of homelessness”
- Explore stereotypes and misconceptions about homelessness
- Understand how those who are at high/low risk with acute physical illnesses, substance use, and behavioral health issues or long-term disabling conditions may lead to homelessness
- Explore challenges of providing services to this population
- Become aware of how racial inequality, bias, poverty, and trauma may lead to homelessness
- Enhance understanding of how to provide effective trauma-informed care services to homeless individuals while navigating through the impacts of COVID-19