Looking at the Hierarchy of Need When Designing Looking at the Hierarchy of Need When Designing Program Services: More Accurately Meeting the Program Services: More Accurately Meeting the

Needs of the Homeless PopulationNeeds of the Homeless Population

Shavona D. ParkerShavona D. Parker

Argosy UniversityArgosy University

Psychology 492Psychology 492

Katina Clarke, ProfessorKatina Clarke, Professor

June 6, 2010June 6, 2010

IntroductionIntroduction

Studies show that the needs of the homeless are unique. The Studies show that the needs of the homeless are unique. The uniqueness of the population include the face of gender differences uniqueness of the population include the face of gender differences (Hagen, 1987; Fatimah, Aziz, & Ibrahim, 2008; Walsh, Rutherford & (Hagen, 1987; Fatimah, Aziz, & Ibrahim, 2008; Walsh, Rutherford & Kazmak, 2009 ), homeless young people (Taylor, Stuttaford, Broad & Kazmak, 2009 ), homeless young people (Taylor, Stuttaford, Broad & Vostanis, 2006), entire families (Bassuk, Rubin & Lauriat, 1986); older Vostanis, 2006), entire families (Bassuk, Rubin & Lauriat, 1986); older female adults (Washington, 2005), as well as those dealing with female adults (Washington, 2005), as well as those dealing with addiction (Best, McCarthy & Darlingon, 2008). addiction (Best, McCarthy & Darlingon, 2008).

Because this population presents with multi-axial problems such as “drug Because this population presents with multi-axial problems such as “drug abuse, instability of employment, health problems…”, (Best et. al, abuse, instability of employment, health problems…”, (Best et. al, 2008), they generally have difficulty in meeting the program 2008), they generally have difficulty in meeting the program requirements set by the programs that provide services to them. It is requirements set by the programs that provide services to them. It is suggested that program developers use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggested that program developers use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model when designing their services, more specifically to the case model when designing their services, more specifically to the case management process in developing the Individual Service Plan (ISP), management process in developing the Individual Service Plan (ISP), as it is the roadmap to the success of the client. as it is the roadmap to the success of the client.

Abraham MaslowAbraham Maslow

Who is Maslow? What is the Hierarchy of Needs model?Who is Maslow? What is the Hierarchy of Needs model?

Faces of the Faces of the HomelessHomeless

Who do you see?Who do you see?

Studies Studies Multi-Axial IssuesMulti-Axial Issues

Addiction, Disability, Mental Addiction, Disability, Mental Health, Physical Health, Health, Physical Health,

Unemployment, Violent Behavior, Unemployment, Violent Behavior, CrimeCrime

Best, et. al, (2008)Best, et. al, (2008)

Fischer, et. al, (1986)Fischer, et. al, (1986)

Toro, et. al, (1995)Toro, et. al, (1995)

What Programs Expect

Social Service programs are designed with well-intent in mind. Social Service programs are designed with well-intent in mind. They want to provide services that help those in need. They want to provide services that help those in need. Listed here are some of the client expectations in 2-Year Listed here are some of the client expectations in 2-Year Homeless Transitional Programs:Homeless Transitional Programs:

EMPLOYMENT—Client will seek out and find employment within 90-days EMPLOYMENT—Client will seek out and find employment within 90-days

-or--or- EDUCATION—Client will enroll in a Vocational Program or other program that EDUCATION—Client will enroll in a Vocational Program or other program that

will lead to employment; complete GED, Apprenticeship leading to employmentwill lead to employment; complete GED, Apprenticeship leading to employment

-and--and- MONEY MANAGEMENT—Client will save 30%-60% of income while in MONEY MANAGEMENT—Client will save 30%-60% of income while in

programprogram-and--and-

CREDIT REPAIR—Client will work on repairing credit issuesCREDIT REPAIR—Client will work on repairing credit issues-and--and-

SOBRIETY—Client will maintain sobriety; and submit to random drug testingSOBRIETY—Client will maintain sobriety; and submit to random drug testing

Case Management:Case Management: The Client The Client IntakeIntake

Name: Jane Doe Age: 42-Years old Gender: Female Highest Level of Education: 9th grade (partial) Children:

16-year old female living with family 7-year old female with paternal grandparents 5-year old male with Foster Care family

Income: None Employment History: Sporadic, some part-time work Housing Status: Homeless, living on street, with

family/friends for past 15-years. No permanent address Substance Abuse History: Meth & Alcohol

Last Use: Over 3-years ago (just quit) Mental Health History: Reports none History of Domestic Violence: Yes Criminal History: Possession, Prostitution, Check Fraud

Biological & Physiological Needs Biological & Physiological Needs (0-6 (0-6 months)months)

Shelter, food, drink, air, warmth, sleep, sexShelter, food, drink, air, warmth, sleep, sex

Clients with multi-axial problems are functioning at this level. They are likely not to Clients with multi-axial problems are functioning at this level. They are likely not to reveal what these problems may be. They may appear to do what is necessary to reveal what these problems may be. They may appear to do what is necessary to keep shelter, food, etc.; they may present unrealistic objectives/goals; may start to keep shelter, food, etc.; they may present unrealistic objectives/goals; may start to avoid meetings. Some clients will work through this level faster than others; while avoid meetings. Some clients will work through this level faster than others; while others may be stuck at this level for longer durations than programs will allow. others may be stuck at this level for longer durations than programs will allow. However, clients need some time to acclimate themselves to a more stable However, clients need some time to acclimate themselves to a more stable environment, as most are coming from chaotic environments and lifestyles. Case environment, as most are coming from chaotic environments and lifestyles. Case Manager’s should first address areas that are barriers to employment such as drug Manager’s should first address areas that are barriers to employment such as drug use, mental health or no work history or high school diploma/GED.use, mental health or no work history or high school diploma/GED.

Safety Needs Safety Needs (6-12 months)(6-12 months)

Protection from the elements, security, order, law, limits, stabilityProtection from the elements, security, order, law, limits, stability

Many of the clients are victims of Many of the clients are victims of crimes, are perpetrators of crime, have crimes, are perpetrators of crime, have lost their children to Child Protective lost their children to Child Protective Services, have many crises over their Services, have many crises over their lifetime and have not had stability. At lifetime and have not had stability. At this level they may or may not be in a this level they may or may not be in a position to address these things. But if position to address these things. But if left unaddressed, things in this area left unaddressed, things in this area can get in the way of gaining can get in the way of gaining employment, housing, etc. Readdress employment, housing, etc. Readdress areas that are barriers to employment areas that are barriers to employment such as drug use, mental health, no such as drug use, mental health, no work history or high school work history or high school diploma/GEDdiploma/GED. .

Belonging and Love Needs Belonging and Love Needs (12-24 (12-24 months)months)

Work group, family, affection and relationships

At this level, the client is actively looking At this level, the client is actively looking for and qualified for employment or for and qualified for employment or may be employed. Client may even may be employed. Client may even be interested in attending school or be interested in attending school or training in order to gain better training in order to gain better employment. Client has taken employment. Client has taken responsibility for actions and responsibility for actions and relationships with other are mending relationships with other are mending and on a positive progression. Client and on a positive progression. Client attends church or other religious attends church or other religious activity Maintains sobriety with some activity Maintains sobriety with some

issues or concerns.issues or concerns.

Esteem Needs Esteem Needs (2+ Years)(2+ Years)Self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, prestige, Self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, prestige,

managerial responsibilitymanagerial responsibility

Maintaining employment and doing well Maintaining employment and doing well in the workplace, on-target with in the workplace, on-target with school/training, relies very little on school/training, relies very little on program/case manager, more confident program/case manager, more confident in making own decisions. Able to in making own decisions. Able to maintain sobriety with no maintain sobriety with no issues/concerns.issues/concerns.

Self Actualization Self Actualization (5+ Years)(5+ Years)Realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiencesRealizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences

The seeds were planted at earlier levels over the client’s lifetime. It is up The seeds were planted at earlier levels over the client’s lifetime. It is up to the client to nurture and maintain those seeds. A client may complete to the client to nurture and maintain those seeds. A client may complete college, purchase a home, etc. These may occur 10+-years out. A college, purchase a home, etc. These may occur 10+-years out. A program will likely not be around to be a part of this level. program will likely not be around to be a part of this level.

ConclusionConclusion Setting goals that stable individuals are likely to accomplish cannot be Setting goals that stable individuals are likely to accomplish cannot be

set for individuals whose basic needs have yet to be satisfied. set for individuals whose basic needs have yet to be satisfied. Program developers can assist the case management process by Program developers can assist the case management process by helping to accurately capture the level of need of the client when helping to accurately capture the level of need of the client when designing the ISP and goals. A more realistic way of looking at how to designing the ISP and goals. A more realistic way of looking at how to provide services to homeless individuals means revamping the provide services to homeless individuals means revamping the timeline in which goals must be met. Closer attention must be given timeline in which goals must be met. Closer attention must be given to the present state of the individual (their level on the Hierarchy of to the present state of the individual (their level on the Hierarchy of Need pyramid). Programs will then have better affects on the Need pyramid). Programs will then have better affects on the individual’s future performance. individual’s future performance.

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