Finding the Finding the ForgottenForgotten

Engaging the Chronically Homeless

By Tamara Wanner

About Me…• Chronically homeless, mentally ill, drug

addicted• B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Education &

Psychology, from Heritage University• PATH Outreach Case Manager for CWCMH• Yakima County Outreach Coordinator• Professional Friend

RulesRules

Have fun

Learn stuff

Ask questions at the end

Let me know if you’re in the weeds

WHAT IS A HOME?

WHAT IS A HOME? • A hollowed out bush…?• A tarp and some string…?• A forgotten space in an abandoned building…?• A space on a couch…?• A collection of rooms…?• A house that you rent…?• The family estate that you own…?

A HOME IS…• A place to keep my personal possessions.• A place to invite friends and family.• A place to return to at the end of the day.• A place to meet my needs: food, shelter, rest.• A place I can make my own.• A place where I feel safe.

Homeless Homeless PopulationsPopulations

Crisis Clients

Couch Surfers

Shelter Dwellers

Squatters & Campers

Outreach PlacesOutreach Places

ReferralsKnown Locations

Scheduled OutreachesPounding the Pavement

Native Guides (Alpha Team)Camps & Squats

Ask

TRANSTHEORETICAL TRANSTHEORETICAL MODELMODEL

• Precontemplation• Contemplation• Planning• Action• Maintenance• Lapse/Re-lapse

OUTREACH STAGESOUTREACH STAGES

EngagementTrust-Building

AccomplishmentTrust-Transference

ENGAGEMENTENGAGEMENT

TRUST-BUILDINGTRUST-BUILDING

ACCOMPLISHMENTACCOMPLISHMENT

Treatment Plan

• Shelter & Housing• Funding• Health & Treatment– Physical– Mental Health– Chemical Dependency

• Education & Employment• Psychosocial

TRUST TRUST TRANSFERENCETRANSFERENCE

Safety RulesSafety Rules

Be locatable.Stay in a group.

Constant vigilance.Be part of, not apart from.

Weapons for which you qualify. Turn your clients into your allies.

“Boo!”

Clap!

Q & A

twanner@cwcmh.org