Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Smith, Laurie

Abstract

This research study explored the effectiveness that emergency shelters have on families transitioning into stable housing by gathering the perspectives of a former client and a staff member from a shelter in Riverside County. This research study utilized a qualitative approach, interviewing participants one-on-one from the shelter with open-ended questions. The themes that emerged during the study were the perspectives of the shelter, the barriers and challenges families face, and the services and support received within the shelter.

The study provides insight into the shelter, the challenges families face, the services offered, what’s working, and areas for improvement through the lens of a prior client and a staff member. The findings can provide insight into some of the similarities and differences in the perspectives of a client and staff member. This study can help social workers better understand the impact of shelters and better serve this population. The findings identified gaps and recommendations to address the gaps by advocating for clients through new policies and practices that provide more services for families. Specific gaps are services available to families in the shelter and specific recommendations are to implement policies and practices to ensure more services are available to families, such as counseling, groups, life skills, credit counseling, budgeting classes, and housing assistance.

Included in

Social Work Commons

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