Finding the Forgotten

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Finding the Forgotten

• Engaging the Chronically Homeless
• By Tamara Wanner

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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

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Rules

• Have fun
• Learn stuff
• Ask questions at the end
• Let me know if youre in the weeds

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WHAT IS A HOME?
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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?

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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.

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Homeless Populations

• Crisis Clients
• Couch Surfers
• Shelter Dwellers
• Squatters Campers

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Outreach Places

• Referrals
• Known Locations
• Scheduled Outreaches
• Pounding the Pavement
• Native Guides (Alpha Team)
• Camps Squats
• Ask

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TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL

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

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OUTREACH STAGES

• Engagement
• Trust-Building
• Accomplishment
• Trust-Transference

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ENGAGEMENT
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TRUST-BUILDING
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ACCOMPLISHMENT
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Treatment Plan

• Shelter Housing
• Funding
• Health Treatment
• Physical
• Mental Health
• Chemical Dependency
• Education Employment
• Psychosocial

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TRUST TRANSFERENCE
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Safety 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.

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• Boo!
• Clap!

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Q A

• twanner_at_cwcmh.org