Six- and twelve-month outcomes among homeless youth accessing therapy and case management services through an urban drop-in center.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of case management and individual therapy offered through a drop-in center for homeless youth on substance use, mental health, housing, education, employment, and medical care utilization.


METHODS
All youth (n=172) between the ages of 14-24 who accessed treatment services through an urban, southwestern drop-in center were included.


METHODS
Semistructured and self-report questionnaires were administered to youth between October 2002 and April 2005.


METHODS
A repeated measures design was utilized. Youth were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months postbaseline. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to test the hypotheses.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvements were found in substance abuse, mental health, and percent days housed up to 12 months postbaseline. Decreased alcohol and drug use was associated with an increase in housing. However, most youth did not acquire permanent housing, and education, employment, and medical service utilization did not significantly change over time.


CONCLUSIONS
While treatment offered through drop-in centers for homeless youth can positively impact homeless youth, policy, funding, and service provision need greater focus, collaboration, and support if youth homelessness is to be successfully addressed.
Slesnick
Natasha
N
Department of Human Development and Family Science, 135 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Kang
Min Ju
MJ
Bonomi
Amy E
AE
Prestopnik
Jillian L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019090:Case Management; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D012947:Social Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015206:Southwestern United States; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*