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Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness pp 145–169Cite as

Cultural Competence and Individualized Care in Service Provision

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Abstract

The population of Americans without homes, especially those with children, is becoming increasing diverse. As their diversity increases, so should provider efforts to accommodate those families by facilitating their transitions in more culturally appropriate ways. Thus, three objectives are met through this chapter. First, this chapter focuses on the disproportional representation of historically marginalized families among those who experience homelessness. Through the use of case examples, it explores the notions of culture and cultural competence as they relate to providing cultural adaptations in services to homeless families. Second, this chapter addresses both the personal and systemic barriers (including the development of Oppression Reaction Syndromes) that families face in their attempts to access adequate housing resources. Barriers ranging from economic disparities, parental wellness, distrust of health/mental health systems, historical trauma, exposure to violence, and adverse childhood experiences are discussed. Finally, this chapter reviews promising programs for parents experiencing homelessness. Case examples are provided to illustrate how systems can overcome barriers by offering culturally competent services that include fathers, provide holistic support (such as childcare, meals, transportation access, and financial stipends), address the needs of adolescents, parental anger/stress, community violence, trauma, as well as cultural affirmation and community engagement strategies. In conclusion, it is surmised that culturally competent service delivery systems for families who experience homelessness must be family-directed, family-centered, culturally affirming, and trauma-informed.

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  1. Brakins Consulting & Psychological Services, LLC, African American Child Wellness Institute, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA

    BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya Ph.D., LP

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  1. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya Ph.D., LP
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  1. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

    Mary E. Haskett

  2. University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA

    Staci Perlman

  3. Arlington, Massachusetts, USA

    Beryl Ann Cowan

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Garrett-Akinsanya, B. (2014). Cultural Competence and Individualized Care in Service Provision. In: Haskett, M., Perlman, S., Cowan, B. (eds) Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8718-0_8

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