Previous research on case management and the homeless has not sufficiently addressed access to services for women of reproductive age. This cross-sectional study estimates the proportion of homeless women with case managers, and the associations of case management with access to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), food stamps, and medical care, and with difficulty finding shelter. Using a probability-based approach, 974 homeless women were sampled from shelters and meal programs in Los Angeles County in 1997. In face-to-face interviews, respondents were asked if they had a case manager. They were also asked whether they used WIC services or food stamps, or had difficulty finding shelter for the night, in the previous 30 days, or had unmet need for medical care in the previous 60 days. The association of case management with access to these services was estimated with multivariate logistic regression. Results show that only 35% and 53% of program-eligible respondents, respectively, are accessing WIC and food stamps; 37% have unmet needs for care; and 30% report difficulty finding shelter. Approximately 56% of respondents have case managers. Multivariate analyses show that having a case manager is associated with increased odds of obtaining shelter without difficulty (OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.26, 3.11) and food stamps (OR=1.78; 95% CI=1.08, 2.95). However, case management was not associated with WIC or less unmet need for care. More assertive forms of outreach may be necessary to link this population to case managers and a broader range of health and social services.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Homeless, Women's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.