Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
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Author(s): Elizabeth K. Hopper, Jeffrey Olivet, Ellen L. Bassuk
Publisher: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Publication Date: 2018
Youth homelessness is a major public health problem that garnered increased interest and focus in recent years in Canada and the United States. The connections between youth homelessness and child welfare, foster care, and juvenile justice have been well established (Bender, Yang, Ferguson, & Thompson, 2015; Dworsky & Courtney, 2009; Zlotnick, 2009). Similarly, service providers and policy makers have become aware of the high rates of hom...

Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: SAMHSA
Publication Date: 2008
When we think about ending homelessness, there are many ways to conceptualize the problems and solutions. Some people think on the level of individuals, while others look at program-level outcomes. Recent plans to end homelessness developed by many communities often encourage a system-level approach. But what does that mean? David Peter Stroh of Bridgeway Partners sheds light on Systems Thinking as a way to solve tough problems.
David Peter Stroh...
Author(s): Katrina Crotts, Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: Homelessness Resource Center (HRC)
Publication Date: 2008
Housing First is a program of Shelter Network in San Mateo County. The program strives to move families and individuals out of the shelters into permanent housing as quickly as possible – usually within 30 days after entry into the shelter. Once people are in housing, the goal is to help them exit poverty by increasing their income. To date the program has served 73 households with a 97% retaining their housing.
In this interview with Shelter Net...

Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: Homelessness Resource Center (HRC)
Publication Date: 2008
Principled Leadership: What is it and where do you find it? Bill Anthony, Executive Director of the Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, shares his thoughts on the importance of good leadership…and napping! (Author)
An interview with Bill Anthony, Executive Director of the Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Q: Your latest book is on Principled Leadership in Mental Health Systems and Programs. What is “p...
Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: Homelessness Resource Center (HRC)
Publication Date: 2008
Kim Murphy is the Director of Operations for Community Supports/PATH Coordinator for the West Virginia Mental Health Consumer Association. She sat down with HRC’s Jeff Olivet to share her insights about the importance of outreach to people who otherwise might slip through the cracks.JO: Why is outreach important?KM: A lot of folks don’t know about services. If someone’s out there, sometimes they just need a helping hand and knowledge that someone...
Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: Homelessness Resource Center (HRC)
Publication Date: 2008
On February 13, 2008, several outreach workers from around the country gathered in Boston to discuss the skills needed for effective outreach. In the course of their discussion, they came up with some tips for other outreach workers. Here they are.
First and foremost be human. Be yourself. People know whether you are being authentic and genuine.
Be comfortable outside your comfort zone.
Don’t tell people “I know what they are going through,” “I...

Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Publication Date: 2007
Ken Kraybill is a Training Specialist with the Homelessness Resource Center, and a recognized national expert on self-care. He writes, trains, and lectures on self-care, outreach, Motivational Interviewing, health and homelessness, and facilitates staff retreats.
Q: Many people are talking these days about the importance of “self-care” for homeless service providers. What does self-care mean to you?
For me, it’s about being grounded in your own...

Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet
Organization: Center for Social Innovation
Publication Date: 2007
Supervisors play a key role in ensuring self-care for staff. James Ginsberg, Director of Substance Treatment Services/Housing First at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, offers 10 practical tips for supervisors to create a work environment that fosters self-care among staff.
“The antidote for burnout is whole-heartedness,” says James Ginsberg, Director of Substance Treatment Services/Housing First at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless....
Author(s): Laura Winn, Elizabeth K. Hopper, Jeffrey Olivet, Ellen L. Bassuk
Organization: SAMHSA
Publication Date: 2011
There are very high rates of trauma among people experiencing homelessness. Ensuring that agencies provide trauma-informed homeless services is crucial to supporting recovery from trauma and homelessness. SAMHSA’s HRC offers a large number of resources to help agencies become trauma-informed. This article offers eight tips to help move your agency toward being trauma-informed.
This article is adapted from “Shelter from the Storm: Trauma-Informed...

Author(s): Laura Winn, Elizabeth K. Hopper, Jeffrey Olivet, Ellen L. Bassuk
Organization: SAMHSA
Publication Date: 2011
Trauma-informed care is recognized as an important approach to serve trauma survivors who are experiencing homelessness. But what does the research say about the effectiveness of trauma-informed care? This article offers a summary of research findings related to trauma-informed care.
Research shows that people who are homeless have experienced high rates of trauma. Many who enter the homeless services system have experienced violence, loss, and d...
Author(s): Jeffrey Olivet, Steven Samra
Organization: SAMHSA
Publication Date: 2010
This FREE HRC webcast, which aired on Thursday, April 8, 2010 described effective strategies for street outreach with people experiencing homelessness. The webcast featured Jeff Olivet and Steven Samra of the Homelessness Resource Center.
View the complete webcast recording: Effective Street Outreach: Why It's Important, How YOU Can Do It Better!
Download the PowerPoint presentation: Effective Street Outreach: Why It's Important, How YOU Can Do...
Author(s): Ellen L. Bassuk, Katherine Volk, Jeffrey Olivet
Publication Date: 2010
FREE Access to Full Text: This article examines the unique services needs of families that are homeless. It is featured in the "Future of Homeless Services" Special Issue, guest edited by the Homelessness Resource Center and published in the Open Health Services and Policy Journal. The authors proposes a framework for assessing the needs of families experiencing homelessness over time.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the need for supports...