Evaluation of a Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach Program: Differential Short-Term Effects

Previously published research on interventions for persons who are homeless and mentally ill has exhibited marked limitations in attrition, sample sizes, generalizability and outcome measures. This report presents results from an outreach and linkage project wherein the research design has better addressed these limitations. Successful outcomes in terms of the number housed were documented. However, significant changes in participant functioning levels were not. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that three variables were significant predictors of 4 month residential setting: recruitment source (shelter, psychiatric hospital or community mental health agency), client functioning cluster type, and hours of service from the homeless project. The latter finding suggests that project interventions contributed to positive changes in clients' residences. Implications of the results for future service and research efforts are discussed. (Authors)

Publication Date: 
1995
Pages: 
13-24
Volume: 
18
Issue: 
1
Journal Name: 
Evaluation and Program Planning
Location: 
United States