Areas addressed include creating a safe work environment, individual and team strategies for delivering safe services, managing critical incidents, and methods of empowering consumers to develop personal safety skills.
Risk prevention is reviewed from multiple perspectives.
It begins by describing personal characteristics that enhance work with clients. The Assertive Community Treatment approach is introduced, mental and substance use disorders are discussed, and medication and treatment methods are reviewed. Next, general health issues specific to homeless individuals are covered, along with social service needs and features of public entitlement systems. Later chapters include methods for establishing a therapeutic alliance and coordination of services using the Total Team Approach, community support systems, and cultural sensitivity. Qualities needed in an outreach worker, features of mental illness and medications, the Total Team Approach, support systems, and cultural relevance are addressed.