Earn 1.15 hr. CEU, pre-approved for Social Workers by BOSW; self-submit other disciplines.
MGS is an approved Continuing Education Resource by the MN Board of Nursing.
(The CEU is free for MGS members; $15 for non-members.)
By: Rebecca Sales, MPH, Research Scientist, Wilder Research
Michelle Decker Gerrard, M.Ed., Senior Research Manager, Wilder Research
Melea Blanchard, Program Supervisor, Homeless Elders, Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis
Lori Halbur, LICSW, Homeless Elders, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Click here to register now!
This webinar is 75 minutes, noon – 1:15 pm
Handout – Older Adults, Homelessness & COVID-19 4.15.21
Experiencing homelessness at any age is challenging but imagine experiencing the stress and uncertainty of living without a home as an older adult. Now imagine that you are a homeless older adult who has been exposed to or is sick with COVID-19. Using data from the 2018 Homeless Study, Wilder Research will highlight the current state of older adult homelessness across Minnesota. Catholic Charities will then share in-depth information about the response of Catholic Charities to older adults experiencing homelessness who are at risk of or sick with COVID-19. We will discuss challenges and successes, and consider the importance of stable housing, including the resources needed to support older adults experiencing homelessness. Participants will have the opportunity to think critically as a group about these complex issues and the implications.
Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe the current characteristics and unique circumstances of older adults who are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota.
- Participants will learn about the current efforts of homeless advocates in caring for vulnerable older adults who are also affected by COVID-19.
- Participants will learn about opportunities and resources needed for supporting the critical needs of older adults experiencing homelessness.
Rebecca Sales, MPH, Research Scientist, Wilder Research
Since joining Wilder in 2011 Rebecca has focused her research and evaluation work on health and social service projects including those on homelessness, community health needs assessments, and the assessment of social service programs and the recipients of those social services. Rebecca currently manages homeless service shelter and outreach providers for Wilder Research’s triennial Minnesota Homeless Study.
Michelle Decker Gerrard, M.Ed., Senior Research Manager, Wilder Research
Michelle has worked for 25 years as a community-based evaluator for dozens of programs, with a particular focus on people experiencing a variety of risk factors including mental health and complex health issues, chemical dependency, and homelessness. Michelle is the Study Director for Minnesota’s Statewide Homeless Study and Co-Director for the Reservation Homeless Study, which is a partnership with Minnesota’s American Indian tribes to conduct over 1,000 in-depth interviews with homeless and precariously housed persons on American Indian Reservations.
Melea Blanchard, Program Supervisor, Homeless Elders, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Melea Blanchard has been working with people experiencing homelessness at Catholic Charities for 12 years, and specifically with older adults the last 8 years. Melea has experience with several different programs working with various systems: shelter, rapid re-housing, care coordination for a health plan, and intensive case management. She currently supervises the Homeless Elders program at Catholic Charities.
Lori Halbur, LICSW, Homeless Elders, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Lori Halbur is a Social Worker with Catholic Charities Homeless Elders Program which works with individuals over the age of 60 who are experiencing homelessness. Since the fall of 2016, Lori has assisted 47 individuals secure housing. By utilizing person centered intensive case management, she is able to assist clients with accomplishing their goals, getting their needs met and help them to feel valued in a society that does not value aging.
Resources:
Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Minnesota – 2018 Minnesota Homeless Study Report
Addressing COVID-19 in the homeless community
COVID-19 issues and consideration for frontline staff working in the homeless community