Discussion Question 1 For Community Clinical I Will Be At Sa

Discussion Question 1for Community Clinical I Will Be At Sarahs Hous

For community clinical, I will be at Sarah’s House. While specific Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) data is not readily available for preexisting studies online, we may, to a degree, discern much about the needs of this community by considering the services that Sarah’s House offers alongside the publicly available federal reports that compile current data and trends describing the status (local determinants of health, nature, and extent of community need) of Anne Arundel County. The point of a CHNA is to, essentially, give the community a voice about what members believe to be the highest priorities to address to support the wellbeing of their community. Therefore, although we may compare services offered by Sarah’s House with local county data, there is significant value in conducting a CHNA proper to initiate truly meaningful interventions that community members can buy into, partake in the development of, and benefit most fully from.

Sarah’s House participates in Anne Arundel County’s Continuum of Care Homelessness Partnership, which is a coalition that is “tasked with promoting community-wide commitment to ending homelessness, creation of and access to mainstream programs by people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and optimizing self-sufficiency within our community (Breakstone, 2022). This is a federal coalition designated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Notably, Sarah’s House is also one of only four of its kind that is supported by the U.S. Army, and appropriately is in the city/near the Military base Ft. Meade.

Sarah’s House services, specifically, include housing (emergency Shelter, project-based supportive housing, rapid re-rousing services, daily meals, comprehensive employment services, skills for success classes, comprehensive case management, behavioral health services, employment & non-emergency medical appointment transportation, and referrals to community service providers for families, especially with children, in Anne Arundel County (Andrew, 2021). According to the Maryland Annual Report on Homelessness, Anne Arundel County represents only 6% of Maryland’s population with the majority being children, adults, and families. Non-Hispanic and Non-Latino, White, and Black were the leading racial demographics experiencing homelessness in Anne Arundel County, and over half experience chronic homelessness.

Of all homeless persons in Maryland, the report detailed that veterans made up 7.5% of the total (DHCD, 2021). There is also data from a CHNA done for Anne Arundel County (AAC), 2019. With regards to the services provided by Sarah’s House and our interest in this community’s health needs in particular, the report describes how there is a major issue with affordable housing in Anne Arundel County, and a diminishing amount of public and subsidized housing in the county. “The county served 1,684 homeless individuals in 2017,” which is a 13 percent increase since 2015. This indicates that there is a significant ongoing need for housing support, a need that is currently being addressed but still marked by substantial waiting lists for “housing choice vouchers” (Brown, 2019), with an average waiting time of 966 days and 10,278 families on the waiting list.

Finally, considering CHNA data compiled by UM BWMC for Anne Arundel County 2022, housing instability remains a significant problem, especially among extremely low-income families with children and African American populations. There is a well-documented correlation between homelessness and adverse health conditions, such as heart disease, which is the leading cause of death nationally and in AAC. Rates of opioid overdose are highest in Glen Burnie (17.28%), the city where Sarah’s House is located, situated between the city and Ft. Meade (BWMC, 2023). Clearly, homelessness and housing insecurity are pressing issues in this community, and Sarah’s House is well-positioned to respond to this need.

However, other community health needs also require attention. Conducting a dedicated CHNA would enable us, as nursing students, to better understand local needs, leverage resources effectively, and develop targeted interventions to improve community wellbeing. Engagement with community members and stakeholders will help prioritize actions that yield meaningful health improvements, ensure community buy-in, and maximize the impact of services provided.

Paper For Above instruction

The intersection of homelessness, housing insecurity, and community health is complex and multifaceted. As future healthcare professionals, it is imperative to understand the social determinants that underpin these issues, particularly in vulnerable populations. Sarah’s House exemplifies a community organization addressing urgent needs—primarily homelessness and housing support—in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Analyzing their services and community data underscores the importance of conducting a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to guide with targeted interventions.

Homelessness is a critical public health issue that affects not only shelter and housing stability but also the overall health and well-being of affected individuals and families. The ongoing increase in homelessness in Anne Arundel County—from 1,684 individuals served in 2017 to a rising trend—mirrors national and state patterns underscoring the urgent need for systemic solutions. The disproportionate impact on children, racial minorities, and veterans highlights health disparities that require targeted intervention. For instance, the fact that over half of the homeless population experiences chronic homelessness illustrates barriers to stability that are intertwined with health issues such as mental health disorders, substance abuse, and chronic diseases (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020).

Housing instability exacerbates health disparities by creating barriers to healthcare access, nutritious food, and stability, all of which are fundamental social determinants of health. The association between homelessness and chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, emphasizes the cyclical nature of these issues, where health problems both stem from and contribute to housing insecurity. The high rates of opioid overdose, particularly in Glen Burnie, point to the opioid epidemic's role in exacerbating homelessness and health disparities, necessitating integrated community responses (Didwania et al., 2021).

Sarah’s House plays a vital role in this ecosystem by providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, behavioral health services, and employment support. The inclusion of behavioral health and case management services aligns with evidence suggesting that addressing mental health and substance use disorders is critical in reducing homelessness and facilitating recovery and stability (Fazel et al., 2020). Moreover, the organization’s partnership with federal programs and the military reflects an integrated approach that maximizes available resources and community engagement.

Conducting a formal CHNA involving community engagement, data analysis, and prioritization processes is essential for further tailoring services and identifying gaps. For example, data indicating long wait times for housing vouchers—averaging over two years—highlight systemic issues that need advocacy and policy interventions. Recognizing these gaps enables stakeholders, including healthcare providers, social workers, and policymakers, to develop targeted strategies such as expanding affordable housing programs, increasing mental health services, and addressing substance use disorders comprehensively (Baker et al., 2019).

Furthermore, integrating health care with social services through community-based participatory research can foster trust, improve health outcomes, and empower community members. For instance, screening programs for chronic conditions among homeless populations, combined with tailored health education, can reduce the burden of preventable illnesses (Hwang et al., 2019). Additionally, addressing social determinants through housing-first models has demonstrated significant success in reducing hospitalization rates and improving quality of life (Tsemberis et al., 2020).

In conclusion, addressing homelessness in Anne Arundel County requires a multi-sectoral approach grounded in data-driven decision making. Sarah’s House exemplifies a community organization providing critical services, yet ongoing systemic barriers demand a comprehensive CHNA to guide further interventions. As nursing students, engaging in such assessments and advocating for policy change is essential in promoting health equity, social justice, and community resilience. Ultimately, fostering collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers will generate sustainable improvements in community health that reduce disparities, promote wellbeing, and prevent homelessness from perpetuating generational cycles of health inequities.

References

• Baker, E. J., et al. (2019). Chronic homelessness and health: from evidence to practice. American Journal of Public Health, 109(7), 999–1004.
• Didwania, A., et al. (2021). Opioid overdose and homelessness: A public health crisis. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 124, 108282.
• Fazel, S., et al. (2020). Mental health interventions for homeless populations: A systematic review. Lancet Psychiatry, 7(7), 590–601.
• Fitzpatrick, K., et al. (2020). Health disparities among homeless youth: A review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66(6), 673–679.
• Hwang, S. W., et al. (2019). Improving health outcomes through integrating social determinants of health in homeless shelters. Social Science & Medicine, 230, 345–353.
• Brown, S. (2019). Anne Arundel County homeless count and services report. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Breakstone, J. (2022). Anne Arundel County’s Continuum of Care Homelessness Partnership: Annual report. Anne Arundel County Government.
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). (2021). Maryland homelessness statistics and trends.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Prenatal care: Ensuring healthy pregnancies and infants. HHS.gov.
• Tsemberis, S., et al. (2020). Housing first, consumer choice, and harm reduction for homeless individuals with mental illness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(9), 771–784.