Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / By definition, homelessness refers to general understanding of people without a home or a roof over their heads. As consequences of a number of factors, homelessness has become a serious problem especially in cities throughout the United States. Homeless people are usually most visible on the streets and in settings like shelters due to the fact that their presences and activities in public spaces are considered illegal or at least “unwanted” by city officials and by members of the public. In response to this issue, activists throughout the country have worked tiresly on behalf of homeless people to demand policy changes, an effort that resulted in the passage of the homeless bill of rights in three states, namely Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Illinois. As I discovered through my fieldwork, in Indiana, the homeless, themselves, are currently lobbying for passage of a similar measure. Locating my fieldwork on homelessness in Indianapolis in two sites, the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library (the Central Library) and the IUPUI Library, I examine the use of library buildings as alternative temporary shelters and spaces where the homeless can organize for political change. As an Indonesian ethnographer, I utilized an ethnographic approach, which helped me to reveal “Western values” and “American culture” as they play out in the context of homelessness. In this thesis, I show that there is a multi-sited configuration made up of issues, agents, institutions, and policy processes that converge in the context of the use of library buildings by the homeless. Finally, I conclude that public libraries and university libraries as well can play a more important role beyond their original functions by undertaking tangible actions, efforts, engagements, and interventions to act as allies to the homeless, who are among their most steadfast constituencies. By utilizing public university library facilities, the homeless are also finding their voices to call for justice, for better treatment, and for policies that can help ameliorate the hardship and disadvantages of homelessness.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Virtually every society can, at some point, be affected by homelessness. In recent years in the United States, homeless rates have hovered around three percent of the entire population. Although this marginalized population has been studied before, little is known regarding the possible characteristics that can keep an individual in homelessness or affect their living conditions while being homeless. This thesis provides an in-depth look at specific characteristics that could be factors in the length of the homeless experience, as well as how these same characteristics could impact the shelter status while an individual is homeless. The study reveals that homelessness in Indianapolis was mostly experienced by those who were male, African-American, and between the ages of 31-50. Furthermore, the majority were found to live in shelters and be homeless for twelve months or less.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As poverty is becoming a growing concern in South Africa, poor families should not be seen as service recipients but more concern should be directed to their empowerment. Community work is an essential method to utilize for the empowerment of poor families since it involves working with people from individual up to community level. The Department of Social Development does not have guidelines based on the utilization of community work; as a result this method is not utilized to its full potential. The purpose of the study was to formulate guidelines on the utilization of community work on the family level. In order to achieve this aim, the objectives of this study, which mainly focused on describing the socio-economic circumstances of the poor families and the utilization of community work, were explored. An exploratory study was utilized in order to achieve the stated goal and objectives. The population for the study consisted of practicing social workers in the Department of Social Development. Purposive sample was used. The research methodology was a quantitative design with a data collection instrument being in the form of a questionnaire. To be able to gain insight about the utilization of community work, the questionnaire consisted of both closed and open-ended questions. Literature review enabled the researcher to compile a questionnaire. The empirical study focused on the knowledge and skills of social workers in utilizing community work. In addition, data was obtained on the community work process as a main procedure to follow when implementing community work. Despite the respondents' theoretical knowledge of community work, it was concluded that community work is utilized at a minimal level. The most utilized social work method by the respondents is casework. The reason for the lack of community work practice is based on the fact that the Department of Social Development does not have guidelines with regards to community work. It was recommended that the Department of Social Development should formulate a new regulation that will oblige the social workers to practice community work. In-service training should be held quarterly. Supervision should be offered regularly. Relevant qualification and extensive social work experience should be considered as a minimum requirement for managerial positions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel armoede 'n al groter probleem in Suid-Afrika raak, behoort arm gesinne in 'n toenemende mate nie net slegs as ontvangers van dienste beskou word nie, maar moet ook aandag geskenk word aan hulle bemagtiging. Aangesien gemeenskapswerk betrokke is by die persoon sowel as die persoon in die gemeenskap, kan dit beskou word as die aangewese metode om arm gesinne te bemagtig. Die Departement Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling beskik oor geen riglyne vir die aanwending van gemeenskapswerk nie en gevolglik word die metode nie ten volle benut nie. Die studie het ten doel om riglyne vir die implementering van gemeenskapwerk op die vlak van die gesin te formuleer. Derhalwe word die klem op die beskrywing van die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede van arm gesinne en die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk as metodiek geplaas. 'n Verkennende studie is gebruik om die navorsingsoogmerke te bereik. Respondente vir die studie was praktiserende maatskaplike werkers in diens van die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling. 'n Doelbewuste steekproef is benut. Daar is hoofsaaklik op kwantitatiewe navorsing gefokus en inligting is deur middel van vraelyste ingewin. Ten einde insig te ontwikkel in die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk is beide oop en geslote vrae gebruik. Die literatuurstudie het die navorser in staat gestel om die vraelys saam te stel. Die empiriese studie was gerig op die kennis en vaardighede waaroor gemeenskapswerkers beskik en hoe dit geïmplementeer word. Addisionele empiriese inligting is ook ten opsigte van die proses van gemeenskapswerk verkry. Dit het aan die lig gekom dat ten spyte van voldoende teoretiese kennis van gemeenskapswerk die metode minimaal gebruik word. Gevallewerk word steeds die meeste tydens intervensie aangewend. 'n Gebrek aan riglyne vir die gebruik van gemeenskapswerk, word as die rede waarom gemeenskapswerk nie implementeer word nie, aangevoer. Dit word aanbeveel dat die Departement Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling regulasies vir die uitvoering van dienste deur middel van die gemeenskapswerk metode moet instel. Hierdie riglyne behoort maatskaplike werkers te inspireer om die voordele van gemeenskapswerk te ondersoek en aan te wend. Indiensopleiding behoort op 'n kwartaallikse basis te geskied. Supervisie moet geredelik beskikbaar wees. Relevante kwalifikasies en uitgebreide praktykervaring as minimum vereistes vir bestuursposte sal oorweeg moet word.

O cuidado em saúde dirigido à população em situação de rua requer ações intersetoriais, que considerem as características desse grupo e respondam às suas necessidades. As diretrizes propostas pelas Políticas Públicas de Saúde e Saúde Mental oferecem subsídios para o cuidado e destacam a importância das ações serem desenvolvidas no contexto de vida das pessoas, de modo a favorecer o exercício da cidadania e dos direitos. Este estudo teve como objetivos conhecer as ações dirigidas às pessoas em situação de rua que apresentam transtorno mental, desenvolvidas pelas equipes do Consultório na Rua (CR) da Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) Sé e do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) Adulto II Sé; identificar obstáculos e pontos de força encontrados no cotidiano de trabalho e conhecer a opinião dos usuários sobre o cuidado recebido. A pesquisa, de caráter qualitativo, empregou os seguintes procedimentos metodológicos: revisão integrativa da literatura; pesquisa documental; entrevistas semi-estruturadas com profissionais e usuários; observação participante e elaboração do caderno de campo. Os dados foram coletados entre fevereiro e abril de 2016. Os resultados evidenciaram que a maioria das ações oferecidas pelos serviços considera as características da população e busca responder às suas necessidades. A construção e manutenção do vínculo entre profissionais e usuários foram compreendidas como eixos do trabalho, que contribuem para o estabelecimento de relações humanizadas e influenciam positivamente a realização de ações. A construção do trabalho intersetorial apresentou-se como um desafio, por depender da organização e do alinhamento de cada serviço com as normativas e da relação estabelecida entre eles. Dois aspectos se destacaram nos resultados: a sobrecarga e o risco de adoecimento dos profissionais e a influência da atual forma de gestão dos serviços na produção do cuidado. Concluiu-se que as ações produzidas pelo CAPS Adulto II Sé e pelas equipes de CR da UBS Sé se encontram alinhadas às diretrizes das Políticas, porém é necessário cuidado às equipes e envolvimento da gestão nos processos de trabalho, para que a responsabilidade da produção de ações de qualidade não recaia unicamente sobre os profissionais / Health care for homeless npopulation requires intersectoral actions that considers this group characteristics and attends his needs. Public Health and Mental Health Policies offer a guideline to actions and indicates the importance of these actions to be developed according to people life context, in a way to promote citizenship and access to rights. The goals of this research were to get known the actions developed by Psychosocial Care Center to Adults II Sé and Consultation Office in the Streets teams and offered to homeless population that presents mental disorders; to identify obstacles and points of force presents in the daily work; and know the patients opinion about the received care. This qualitative research used methodological procedures such as integrative literature review; documental research; semi-structured interview developed with professionals and patients; participant observation and field notebook construction. The data was collected between february and april/2016. The results showed that most part of actions offered by professional teams take into consideration this population needs and try to answer to these needs. The construction and maintenance of a bound between professionals and patients were comprehended as the center point of work, which contribute to establish humanized relations and positively influence actions. The construction of intersectoral work was comprehended as a challenge, due to services organization, alignment between services and guidelines and relation among different services. In the results, two aspects were highlighted: burden and risk of illness of professionals and the influence of current services structure on delivered care. As a conclusion, actions offered by professional teams are in accordance to Policies guidelines, although it is necessary to offer better care to professionals and higher involvement of administration on work processes, in order to avoid the risk of responsibility for quality actions fall over professionals only

A partir do estudo de percursos singulares, objetivou-se compreender as principais dimensões e implicações da participação de adultos em situação de rua em circuitos religiosos na construção de redes de interdependência. Trata-se de pesquisa com base nos princípios da etnografia, cujo trabalho de campo desenvolveu-se por meio do diálogo, pela participação e por meio de entrevistas com foco na história de vida. A heterogeneidade de formas de dissociação social e de modos de reconfigurações de percursos de vida nas ruas e nos espaços públicos da cidade de São Paulo, alicerçados na religiosidade, é o foco da discussão deste estudo. No interior desta heterogeneidade, privilegiam-se os grupos e as pessoas que proporcionaram referência para a discussão de formas endógenas/internas (e de autoorganização) de superação dessa condição, em movimentos opostos a desfiliação e à desqualificação social. Este estudo teve seu ponto de partida com histórias de pessoas que partilharam a experiência do Ponto de Encontro e Cultura/Metuia-USP. A análise foi realizada em duas perspectivas: por um lado, a reconstituição da história de vida dos interlocutores, com o objetivo central de mostrar suas redes de interdependência com foco nos circuitos de participação religiosa, que transcendem os circuitos assistenciais, discutindo as singularidades de seu processo de construção/reconstrução de identidades ressignificadoras da historicidade e da experiência da situação de rua; por outro, diferentes racionalidades que coexistem nos circuitos religiosos identificados, ou seja, narrativas que colaboram com análises e explicações para a situação de rua que rejeitam a concepção secularizada da realidade como única forma de saber e orientação de vida. As trajetórias dos interlocutores permitem elucidar movimentos que a política pública e os serviços não captam facilmente e põem em questão noções como família, hierarquização técnica e política de necessidades na atenção e atendimento das pessoas em situação de rua. A religião pode conferir um campo de linguagem significativo e criativo para a formulação de possibilidades de vida e de escolha em que viver o presente com a qualidade do desejo pode ser tão premente quanto alimentar o corpo. Pretende-se contribuir para a construção de subsídios na formulação de ações e projetos de vida na atenção em terapia ocupacional social, que possam transitar entre o singular e o coletivo, além de nortear a formulação de metodologias de intervenção que incorporem as expressões culturais do seu público-alvo. Fornecer subsídios para reforçar a noção de cultura e diversidade cultural como direito incorporado aos avanços na implementação da Política Nacional para a População de Rua, a implementação do Sistema Único da Assistência Social no Brasil e do Plano Nacional de Cultura, reconhecendo as particularidades regionais e, também, as singularidades de seus usuários, de modo a rever noções como família e de perceber novas formas como nos ligamos e religamos continuamente / From the study of single life pathways, this research aimed to understand the main dimensions and implications of homeless adults in religious circuits for the construction of interdependence networks. It is a research based on the principles of ethnography, with a field work developed through dialogue and participation, and through interviews focused on life history. So, this study centers in the heterogeneity of social dissociation forms and the religion-based reconfigurations of ways of life paths in the streets and public spaces of the city of São Paulo. Within this heterogeneity, the target are groups and individuals who provided reference for the discussion of endogenous/internal (and self-organization) forms to overcome this condition, through movements opposing disaffiliation and social disqualification. The starting point was stories of people who shared the experience of Ponto de Encontro e Cultura/Metuia-USP (Metuia-USP Gathering and Cultural Point). The analysis was performed in two perspectives: on the one hand, the reconstitution of the interlocutors life history, with the main objective of showing their interdependence networks, focusing on religious participation circuits that transcend the assistance circuits, discussing the peculiarities of the process of construction/reconstruction of identities that re-signify the historicity and experience of homelessness; on the other hand, different rationalities that coexist in the identified religious circuits, or narratives that contribute to analysis and explanations for the homeless who reject secularized conception of reality as the only way to acquire knowledge and life orientation. The interlocutors trajectories allowed to elucidate movements not easily captured by public policy and services, and questioned notions such as family, technical hierarchy and needs policy for attention and care of the homeless. Religion can provide a meaningful and creative language field for the development of life opportunities and choice in which to live in the present with the quality of desire can be as urgent as feeding the body. This study intendeds to contribute to the construction of subsidies in the formulation of actions and life projects of social occupational therapy attention, which can move between the singular and the collective, and to guide the formulation of intervention methodologies that incorporate the cultural expressions of their target audience, as well as provide support to strengthen the notion of culture and cultural diversity as a right incorporated into the progress in implementing the Política Nacional para a População de Rua (National Policy for Homeless People), the implementation of the Sistema Único da Assistência Social (Universal System of Social Assistance) in Brazil, and the Plano Nacional de Cultura (National Culture Plan), recognizing the regional peculiarities and also the singularities of its users, as a way to review notions such as family and realize new ways of continuous connection and reconnection

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-01-11T13:32:10Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Alcides Pereira Soares Neto - 2016.pdf: 4017125 bytes, checksum: 2cc759ae735a0264acec553d02c1021a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-01-11T13:33:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Alcides Pereira Soares Neto - 2016.pdf: 4017125 bytes, checksum: 2cc759ae735a0264acec553d02c1021a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-11T13:33:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Alcides Pereira Soares Neto - 2016.pdf: 4017125 bytes, checksum: 2cc759ae735a0264acec553d02c1021a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the quality of life of individuals living in the street, homeless, from August to October 2015. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire containing questions related to social, economic and demographic aspects and the generic quality of life instrument for World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref (WHOQOL-Bref). To evaluate factors associated with QoL, were used multiple linear regression. The level of significance was set at ≤ 5 %. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0,66 to 0,80, implying good instrument reliability. the study population consisted of 150 individuals, with the youngest aged 18 and the oldest 82 years. The mean scores of the WHOQOL-Bref were higher in Physical (68,1) and Psychological (66,6) domains and the lower scores were obtained from the Environment (44,1) and Social Relations domains (56,6). Significant averages in quality of life were demonstrated in association with male homeless, married, age (30 - 40 years), non-users of illicit drugs and without reported toothache and discrimination. This study allowed identifying the dimensions of life of homeless that are affected, emphasizing the need to creation of public policies and social support to effectively reduce the vulnerabilities of these individuals. It also allows us to reflect on the nurses responsibility in promoting health, and therefore, improve their quality of life of people. / Estudo transversal que objetivou avaliar a qualidade de vida de indivíduos em situação de rua, entre agosto a outubro de 2015. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário contendo questões relacionadas a aspectos sociais, econômicos e demográficos e do instrumento genérico de qualidade de vida World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref (WHOQOL-Bref). Para avaliar os fatores associados à QV utilizou-se a regressão linear múltipla. O nível de significância adotado foi de ≤ 5%. O alfa de Cronbach variou entre 0,66 e 0,80, inferindo uma boa confiabilidade do instrumento. A população do estudo foi composta por 150 indivíduos, sendo o mais jovem com 18 anos e o mais velho com 82 anos. As médias dos escores do WHOQOL-Bref foram maiores nos domínios Físico (68,1) e Psicológico (66,6) e, os menores escores foram obtidos dos domínios Meio Ambiente (44,1) e Relações Sociais (56,6). Demonstraram médias significativas na associação da qualidade de vida, moradores de rua do sexo masculino, casados, idade (30 - 40 anos), não usuários de drogas ilícitas e sem relato de dor de dente e de discriminação. Esse estudo permitiu identificar as dimensões da qualidade de vida dos moradores de rua que estão afetadas, ressaltando a necessidade de criar políticas públicas e suporte social que sejam efetivos para reduzir as vulnerabilidades desses indivíduos. Ainda, permite-nos refletir sobre a responsabilidade dos enfermeiros na promoção da saúde e, consequentemente, na melhoria da qualidade de vida dessas pessoas.

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar como o usuário de drogas vivencia a rua enquanto um território de cuidado. A partir da Etnografia, a pesquisa mostra a saída para às ruas, buscando uma aproximação com as realidades e modos de vida das pessoas em situação de rua. Para tal, houve o apoio do Movimento Nacional da População de rua (MNPR), em que se considera uma análise macrossocial das observações participantes desse coletivo (MNPR) e a participação de alguns de seus apoiadores. E uma análise microssocial com a ajuda das histórias de vida e trajetórias pessoais dos interlocutores privilegiados com experiência no tema das drogas. Nesses percursos, encontros, escuta e diálogo construídos com os experientes da rua foi possível identificar uma cultura da rua, em que a droga aparece enquanto estilo de vida, formação de uma identidade de resistência aos estigmas, sofrimentos e construção de relações no território. Percebeu-se também que as histórias de vida nos revelam o sofrimento social, a exclusão e a não adaptação ao sistema convencional e formal, demonstrando que a área da saúde não entende essas experiências de vida/saúde/doença em seus modelos de cuidado. Observa-se que o cuidado não é só realizado pelas redes formais, como é também realizado nas redes sociais de cuidado na rua, a partir das relações com o grupo, nas aldeias, no envolvimento com MNPR, nas praças e viadutos. Assim, a rua é um território com potência para o cuidado em saúde mental ao usuário de drogas. É nesses espaços sociais que as pessoas vivem suas histórias de vida, redes sociais de cuidado, cultura e identidades. As territorialidades de cuidado apontam para a necessidade de uma atenção em saúde pensada em um modelo dialógico e sociocultural, junto às diversidades territoriais e formas de vida, entendendo o território como espaço para produção de saúde. / This study aims to analyze how the drug user experiences the streets as care territory. From the Ethnography, the research shows this environment activity, seeking an approximation with the realities and ways of life of homeless people. Therefore, there has been support from the Movimento Nacional da População de Rua (MNPR), which considers a macrosocial analysis from the observations of the participants in this group (MNPR) and some of its supporters' participation as well. Also, a microsocial analysis with life histories and personal trajectories from privileged interlocutors that have had experience in the drug's field. On these routes, encounters, listening and dialogues that were built with the experts from the street, it was possible to identify a street culture in which drugs appear as a way of life, forming an identity of resistance to stigma, sorrows and building relationships in the territory. It was also realized that life histories reveal social suffering, exclusion and non-adaptation to the conventional and formal society system, demonstrating that the health area does not understand these life / health / illness experiences in their models of care. In addition, it was observed that care is not only carried out by the formal networks, but also in the social networks on the street care, from the relations with the group, in the villages, in the involvement with MNPR, in the town squares and overpasses. Thus, the street is a territory with power to the mental health care for drug users. In these social spaces, people live their life histories, social care networks, culture and identities. The territorialities of care point out to the necessity of health care thought in a dialogical and sociocultural model, together with the territorial diversities and life forms, understanding the territory as space for health production. / Este estudio tiene por objetivo analizar como el usuario de drogas vivencia la calle como un territorio de cuidado. Desde la Etnografía, la investigación muestra la salida a las calles, buscando una aproximación con las realidades y formas de vida de las personas en situación vulnerable en la calle Para eso, hubo el apoyo del Movimiento Nacional de la Populación de calle (MNPR), en que se considera un análisis macrosocial de las observaciones participantes de ese colectivo (MNPR) y la participación de algunos de sus apoyadores. Y un análisis micro social con la ayuda de las historias de vida y trayectorias personales de los interlocutores privilegiados con experiencia en el tema de las drogas. En esos recorridos, encuentros, escucha y diálogo construidos con los expertos de la calle fue posible identificar una cultura de la calle, en que la droga aparece como estilo de vida, formación de una identidad de resistencia a los estigmas, sufrimientos y construcción de relaciones en el territorio. Se pudo notar también que las historias de vida nos revelan el sufrimiento social, la exclusión y la no adaptación al sistema convencional y formal, demonstrando que el área de la salud no entiende esas experiencias de vida/salud/enfermedad en sus modelos de cuidado Se observa que el cuidado no es solamente realizado por las redes formales, como es también realizado en las redes sociales de cuidado en la calle, a partir de las relaciones con el grupo, en las aldeas, en la participación con el MNPR, en las plazas y viaductos. Así, la calle es un territorio con potencia para el cuidado en salud mental al usuario de drogas. Es en esos espacios sociales que las personas viven sus historias de vida, redes sociales de cuidado, cultura e identidades. Las territorialidades de cuidado señalan para la necesidad de una atención en salud pensada en un modelo de diálogo y un modelo sociocultural, junto a las diversidades territoriales y formas de vida, entendiendo el territorio como espacio para producción de salud.

Access to computers, to mobile phones, and to data connectivity has opened new avenues of interaction and created expectations about the flattening of society brought about by these new modes of production. These technologies have enabled us to recognize many forms of community---from close knit social groups to individuals who merely co-habit public spaces---and to support interaction with each other in novel ways. The notion that modern digital technology holds promises of democratization by expanding access to information and broadening modes of knowledge production often fails to acknowledge that these benefits rely upon devices and infrastructure whose availability reflect socioeconomic contours; that the technologies that enable information access can also reinforce rather than obviate marginality due to barriers to access and suitability. This assessment points to opportunities for better understanding and better designing technologies for the marginalized or dispossessed. The research presented in this dissertation discusses the findings from empirical, theoretical, and design based investigations of technology use with the urban homeless. The empirical work provides a foundation for understanding current technology practices among the homeless and their care providers. The theoretical investigation develops Deweyan publics as a novel frame for participatory design. The design-based investigation presents findings from the design and deployment of the Community Resource Messenger at a shelter for homeless mothers. The results of this research shed light on impact of social computing platforms on social service provision and on the ways the staff and residents used the Community Resource Messenger as a resource for identifying common issues and taking action to contend with those issues.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-11, Section: B, page: 7288. Adviser: Michael W. Ross. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-61).