OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of the Emergency Warming Centre in terms of improvements in the lives of homeless persons with concurrent disorders.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The overall aim of this project is to assess the effectiveness of the Emergency Warming Centre (EWC) in terms of improvements in the lives of homeless persons with concurrent disorders. Not only will the EWC provide shelter and food, it will offer onsite counseling and other services related to the improvement in the lives of its clients. Examples include access to health services, referrals for treatment, life skills training, education, and training.
This research will utilize a community-based research (CBR) design; also known as “action-oriented” research on the northern homelessness with a mixed methods design. This approach falls closely in line with the ethical principles guiding academic research with Aboriginal communities (Brant Castellano, 2004). One-on-one and focus group interviews with clients and staff of the EWC will be used to determine the original state of clients staying at the shelter in terms of concurrent disorders, social functioning, health, and housing. The SF-36, or similar instrument, will be used to assess the quality of life at several intervals over the duration of the study. Other survey tools will be used to assess health and concurrent disorders (e.g. Addiction Severity Index).
The survey data will be subjected to statistical analysis and the interview data will be recorded on a digital device and transcribed into a Word file. Data will be kept as per Canadian Institute of Health Research guidelines.
A published report will be available for viewing online and a printed copy available through the EWC. Video and audio recordings may also be produced and public presentations of the results will be made via an open forum meeting.
The fieldwork for this study was conducted from September 2, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
ARTICLE
- Harm reduction through housing first: an assessment of the Emergency Warming Centre in Inuvik, Canada. Young, MG and Manion, K. Harm Reduct J. 2017 Feb 7;14(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12954-016-0128-8.