Kellevision

Affordable Housing Program becomes Educational Attainment Program - Huh?

I received an email today that the "AmeriCorps Keep Austin Housed Program is not being refunded".  They will instead initiate a program to help homeless youth seeking "educational attainment".  Sigh.

Social Services Insanity

Another meeting with social workers and I just want to scream.  The comments that are made about clients make me wonder how they ever survive the "help" provided by some social service providers.

How to Help Homeless Children

Homeless children are the most vulnerable people in the homeless community and should be the primary focus of efforts to address homelessness.  I am fortunate to live in a community where people are anxious to help and are very generous, but there does not seem to be a lot of accurage information in the community about the needs of homeless children.  I hope this article provides necessary information for individuals who want to help with this worthy cause.  

HUD's Definition of Homelessness

HUD's definition of what constitutes a "homeless" person is disturbing.

Ending Homelessness 2

An interesting debate has evolved regarding how to end homelessness in America. 

Removing "Barriers" Instead of Changing Behaviors

Another meeting with caseworkers and social workers working with homeless clients.  Another opportunity to bite my tongue.

Barriers vs. Behaviors and the Homeless Population

I sat in the meeting with case workers and social workers of homeless clients and desperately wanted to bang my head on the table.  The cause of my distress was the word "barriers".  Granted, many homeless clients face serious barriers.  But the way the word barriers was being used during the meeting was indicative of the inappropriate and ineffective ways the social services system approaches problems.

The Secret to Ending Homelessness in America

I read an interesting article at the SLO Homeless website, "Absurdity of the Bureaucratic Mindset" regarding the strategies needed to end homelessness and the absurdity of the current measures being employed and I couldn't agree more.  Providing more affordable housing will not solve the homeless problem.  What will?

The Homeless are not Black

I work as a therapist in a homeless shelter in Texas and I'm astounded by some of the serious misperceptions of the homeless which are held by the public.  A recent donor asked that we photograph families in the shelter receiving items which had been donated and specifically requested that we please "include some people who are not Black".  I was appalled.

Personality Disorders

A lot of clients I see are diagnosed with Axis I disorders like Schizophrenia, Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder when in actuality, they are suffering from a Personality Disorder.  Personality Disorders are rarely discussed because they ultimately cannot be medicated and require long term psychotherapy.  Insurance companies do not cover them and, at least where I live, the county mental health authority does not treat them.  So in order for people with Personality Disorders to get any help, they are mislabeled as one of the "Big Three" (Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder or Major Depression) - disorders which are covered by most systems.  I think this is a great disservice to patients and clients.  People have a right to know what is really going on with them and what the proper treatment provided.  What are Personality Disorders?