%A Cameron M. Needle
%T Another piece of baggage: A literature review and data analysis on the needs of young homeless children in emergency shelter programs
%X Young children residing in homeless shelters with their primary caregiver are at an increased risk for negative mental and medical health outcomes, including asthma and depression, as well as an increased likelihood to fail a grade and higher rates of emergency room utilization.  The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study suggests that the more traumatic experiences a child has, the higher the likelihood that he will have poor health as an adult.  A literature review of interventions through PubMed and the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices in December 2013 and January 2014 showed a need for evidence-based interventions that specifically target homeless children.  Qualitative interviews conducted by the University of Pittsburgh?s Office of Child Development provided insight into the needs of staff and mothers involved with two shelters in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Staff expressed a need for more funding, and mothers wished that the shelters provided more child-centered services for their convenience.  In order to increase programming for homeless children, it is necessary to increase funding at the local, state, and federal level.  Providing more mental health services in shelter would help children adjust to the transition and decrease the risk of negative public health outcomes in adulthood.
%D 2014
%K public health, education, medicine, nursing, social work, homeless, children, preschool, toddler, infant, homeless women
%I University of Pittsburgh
%L pittir21442