Addressing Homelessness in Indianapolis

Part 1: Complete the following chart. Be as specific to your community as possible. Common sources of data include: Chamber of Commerce, community libraries, social service agencies, newspapers, agency personnel. In addition to these sources, you will interview someone who is actively engaged with the at-risk population you are investigating.

Needs Assessment	Community Strengths and Existing Resources
Environment/Living arrangements	In high-demand locations with adequate services and access to public transit, zoning regulations encourage creating “missing middle” housing, including duplexes, townhouses, and multiplex units. For the population of homeless people, this may enhance the supply of inexpensive housing choices (Lynne Walsh, 2016).
Access to transportation	Bus and public transportation services are offered in Indianapolis and Marion County by IndyGo, which is run by the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (Lynne Walsh, 2016). Discounted rates are offered to those who qualify, such as Medicaid users, veterans, and low-income people.
Financial Considerations	Government nutrition programs, including SNAP, TANF, free and reduced-price school meals, and the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), are utilized by the community at a reasonably high rate (“Plans to End Homelessness”, n.d.). These initiatives assist people and families dealing with financial difficulties, including homeless people.
Cultural/language barriers	The people who live there come from various linguistic and racial origins. To overcome the linguistic and cultural hurdles that the homeless population faces, efforts can be made to offer interpretation services and care sensitive to cultural differences (FENWICK, 2021).
Public perception of the group	The public’s stigmatizing and unfavorable impression of homeless people may make it more difficult for them to receive help and services. Education and awareness efforts should be launched to dispel prejudices and encourage empathy and understanding within the community (FENWICK, 2021).
Common health risks	The homeless population poses typical health concerns to the community, such as mental illness, drug abuse, undernutrition, and infectious infections (FENWICK, 2021). Existing social service and healthcare groups can offer assistance and funding to address these health issues.
Access to health and social services	Numerous social support programs, including healthcare, mental health care, and emergency shelters, are available to the local homeless population. Additionally, groups like Indy CARES and township assistance programs offer financial assistance and support to people who are homeless (“Op/Ed: Indianapolis’ Plan to Reduce Homelessness Misses the Mark”, n.d.).

Part 2: Provide information on the organization and person interviewed

Organization’s Name: CHIP-Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention

URL of the organization’s website: https://www.chipindy.org/what-we-do.html#:~:text=CHIP%20%2D%20Coalition%20for%20Homelessness%20Intervention,data%20collected%20by%20homeless%20providers

Person Interviewed: Adeline Sounder.

Interviewee’s Title and Role in the Organization: Outreach Coordinator.

Email Address of the Person Interviewed: adelinescoumderchip.com

One Paragraph Summary Of The Key Takeaways From The Interview

Several significant insights about their job and the organization’s strategy for combating homelessness in Indianapolis came to light during the interview with the Outreach Coordinator at the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP). Building rapport and trust with homeless people is crucial to outreach activities. The first step in this process is to do just that. It is necessary to address the situation with empathy, active listening, and constant support to remove the obstacles brought on by prior trauma and mistrust. Second, Success via Collaborative Efforts: The outreach initiatives spearheaded by CHIP have had fruitful results, such as assisting people in finding stable homes through programs for quick rehousing. These accomplishments demonstrate the value of teamwork between CHIP, service providers, and the community. Third, a Collective Approach: CHIP understands the value of partnerships and collaboration with other businesses, governmental organizations, and the community. They actively participate in community planning projects, collaborate with other agencies, and aim to prevent and reduce homelessness in Indianapolis. Addressing the Root Causes: Homelessness in Indianapolis is mainly caused by a lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and insufficient social services. Through the support of legislation promoting affordable housing, partnerships in the workplace, and all-inclusive support services, CHIP tackles these issues.

Submit a digital audio or transcribed version of the interview to Blackboard.

What’s your role as an outreach coordinator, and how do you engage with the homeless in Indianapolis?

Adeline: As CHIP’s Outreach Coordinator, I am responsible for aggressively linking homeless people with the services and resources they need by developing connections with them. I engage in case management, street outreach, and support, and help navigate the homeless service system.

What challenges do you face in helping the homeless, and how do you address them?

Adeline: Establishing rapport and trust with people who may have undergone trauma and have a mistrust of care providers is one of the biggest hurdles. We combat this by approaching with empathy, paying attention, and continually being present to offer assistance. Building trusting and respectful relationships takes time.

Do you have any positive outcomes or success stories resulting from the outreach efforts of CHIP?

Adeline: Recently, our quick rehousing program assisted a homeless person in finding stable housing. They were able to move from being homeless to having a secure home by receiving financial aid, case management help, and access to neighborhood services. This success story demonstrates the results of our coordinated efforts.

In your experience, what are some of the critical factors contributing to homelessness in the state, and how are those factors addressed?

Adeline: Lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and restricted access to social services are three significant causes of homelessness. To provide complete support, including housing aid, employment training, and healthcare access, CHIP addresses these problems by advocating for legislation that promotes affordable housing, working with employment agencies, and forming relationships with service providers.

How does CHIP collaborate with other organizations and the community to prevent and end homelessness in Indianapolis?

Adeline: We think that fighting homelessness calls for a team effort. CHIP works with service providers, governmental organizations, and the community to align resources, coordinate initiatives, and push for structural reforms. We participate in interagency partnerships, work on community planning projects, and collaborate with others to prevent and reduce homelessness in Indianapolis.

References

FENWICK, T. (2021, July 28). Homelessness in Indy at a 10-year high. Indianapolis Recorder. https://indianapolisrecorder.com/homelessness-in-indy-at-10-year-high/

Lynne Walsh. (2016, January 21). Homelessness Programs and Resources | SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources

Op/Ed: Indianapolis’ plan to reduce homelessness misses the mark. (n.d.). The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 26, 2023, from https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2022/06/17/indianapolis-plan-reduce-homelessness-misses-mark/7581493001/

Plans to end homelessness. (n.d.). Indianapolis Continuum of Care. Retrieved May 26, 2023, from https://www.indycoc.org/plans-to-end-homelessness.html#:~:text=Indianapolis%20Community%20Plan%20to%20End%20Homelessness&text=The%20goal%20of%20the%20five

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Question

Addressing Homelessness in Indianapolis

Complete an asset-based assessment using this template: NUR 370 Practicum Step 3 Asset Based Assessment Worksheet(1).docx Download NUR 370 Practicum Step 3 Asset Based Assessment Worksheet(1).docx
Based on your research, identify an organization that provides health promotion or health care services to your at-risk population, or that facilitates access to those services.
Arrange to interview someone at that organization in person or by phone.
Develop 6-8 interview questions related to the organization’s services and programs, including plans for the future.
Conduct the interview. Provide an overview of the at-risk group you are investigating and its presence in your community. Provide any available demographic data.

Addressing Homelessness in Indianapolis