Expanding Access to and Use of Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness (3 credit hours)
Program Summary: This course offers an overview of the behavioral health service needs, challenges, and opportunities of individuals experiencing homelessness. The course highlights five evidence-based interventions, including medication for opioid use disorder, motivational interviewing, intensive case management, Community Reinforcement Approach, and peer support. Important strategies are given for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and reducing barriers.
This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.
Course Reading: Expanding Access to and Use of Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness; Chapters 1-4
Publisher: SAMHSA
Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by examining behavioral health services needs and strategies for people experiencing homelessness.
Learning Objectives: Describe the philosophy of Housing First. Identify an evidence-based intervention for people experiencing homelessness. Describe strategies for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and reducing barriers.
Review our pre-reading study guide.
G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course. She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience. She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work. The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.