Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Current research demonstrates that homeless veterans continue to face unmet needs through ineffective government programs. Although community-based veterans resource centers have been established to address these gaps, they are often overwhelmed by the number of homeless veterans seeking assistance. The occupational therapy (OT) profession is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by utilizing interventions that enhance occupational performance and participation, 3 improving homeless veterans' overall quality of life. However, these programs are frequently overlooked due to a need for more awareness among resource center staff and community stakeholders regarding the benefits of OT. An extensive review of scholarly articles was conducted to address this issue, focusing on the needs of homeless veterans, the effectiveness of peer support workers in community centers, and the role of OT interventions and collaboration in addressing these needs. Subsequently, an educational in·service was organized for community-based veterans resource center staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. This session aimed to provide insight into OT, evidence·based mental and physical health interventions employed by occupational therapy practitioners (OTP), and the advantages of implementing OT programs in community centers to address the needs of homeless veterans. To assess the effectiveness of the educational in-service, pre- and post-surveys were administered to participants, and the quantitative data obtained was analyzed. The results indicated a significant increase in knowledge and understanding of the role of OT in community-based veterans resource centers and its potential to enhance the overall health and well-being of homeless veterans.

Publication Date

4-18-2024

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