Name
Integrating Occupational Therapy in Supportive Housing: Improving Housing Stability and Health
Date & Time
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
ALLISON McCann-Stevenson, MSW McCann-Stevenson, MSW Erica Engel Engel
Description

While housing is the first step to stability, effective approaches to maintaining and thriving in housing continue to be cited as challenges following the complex traumas of homelessness. Occupational therapy (OT) is an emerging field in U.S. homeless services that provides tangible solutions while power-sharing with tenants. A collaboration of Chicago agencies will describe best practices for OT in supportive housing programs to support effective housing and community integration. To demonstrate this evidence-based practice, we will also explore participatory research on The Peer to Community (P2C) Model by Marshall and colleagues, introduce the findings from Redefining Home Health (ReHH) a 12-week exploratory and feasibility pilot project conducted by an Occupational Therapy Graduate Student with The Health Outreach Program of The Night Ministry. Speakers include staff, researchers, and a tenant of supportive housing who benefited from OT. The session will include breakout groups that will explore ways to incorporate OT into various supportive housing models.