Measuring the impact of a MAP on clients in 2 programs in Ontario- National Homelessness Directorate

Dyanne Semogas, Wendy Muckle, Tomislav Svoboda

The research question that the study will address under the Ontario Homelessness Directorate, Holistic Program Delivery Approaches, Harm Reduction is: what are the impacts, benefits and drawbacks of an integrated health and social service harm reduction delivery approach on participants? There are three Managed Alcohol Programs in the country and all located in the Province of Ontario. This allows us the unique opportunity of pooling data from 2 of the programs in Hamilton and Ottawa. Through quantitative and qualitative methods the study will document the impact of the program on clients transiting from the streets to a managed alcohol environment. In keeping with the shift in thinking in the mental health field this study is based on a paradigm of recovery; rather than one of pathology. Participant input into their health and social service use; their perception of their physical and mental health status and their experience of living on the streets and then housed in a managed alcohol environment is beinng studied. To date health and social service utilization has been documented in Hamilton. Ottawa is completing Time 2 interviews.

From Nowhere to Somewhere: Profiles of individuals as they move from the streets to a Managed Alcohol Environment, SSHRC

Dyanne Semogas, Helen Kirkpatrick, Jennifer Blythe, Lindsey George, Kristin Cleverley and Sean Kidd

This narrative study explores the experiences of 20 homeless individuals living with alcohol dependence as they move from the streets to a managed alcohol environment. It is one component of a multi-method study to assess the impacts, benefits and drawbacks of an integrated health and social service harm reduction model. The narrative component aims to bring to life the stories of those who are stigmatized for both their addiction and their homelessness. Participants will be interviewed up to three times over 9 months. The set of 3 interviews is nearing completion.

Analysis is being conducted by different disciplines to increase understanding of the various stories. This will include a holistic-content perspective and holistic-form perspective to consider plots and structure from English Literature, a Geographic perspective to consider issues of space and place, a Psychiatry perspective to consider the experience of illness, a Nursing perspective to consider the impact of family, and a Community perspective to consider the experience of loss and attachment. We have done several presentations at various conferences.

There is a significant student training program involved in this study. PhD students from McMaster School of Geography Josh Evans and McMaster Department of English Christina Brooks are involved in the interviews and analysis. A Master�s Student from York University in Environmental Studies Sarah Sanford was involved with the initial interviews and has moved PHD studies at the University of Toronto Community Health. She is also the recipient of a SSHRC Student Award to support her PhD studies. Undergraduate BScN student Amy Clause, was involved with transcribing data and has moved on to MScN studies at McMaster University.

Undergraduate students in the BScN program who have participated in their 4L02 Coursework include: Rachel Parkinson, Sherri Polos and Shaguftah Patel.