Addressing brain injury in health care for the homeless settings: A pilot model for provider training

BACKGROUND: Brain injury has been recently understood to be a common occurrence among adults experiencing homelessness, resulting in the need for modifications to clinical practice in agencies serving this population. OBJECTIVE: A health care agency for adults experiencing homelessness initiated a pilot training for mental health providers to address the issues of brain injury. METHODS: Providers attended eight training sessions which focused on: screening for a history of brain injury, treatment planning, and specific strategies to implement with individuals with a history of brain injury. Strategies taught were based on current literature and therapeutic methods, adapted specifically for the clinic's population of adults experiencing homelessness. RESULTS: Screening for a history of brain injury at the clinic indicated a high prevalence of a history of brain injury that was previously unidentified, indicating need for provider training. Providers reported increased ability to screen for and address the needs of individuals with brain injury within their clinical setting. Providers reported benefit from sessions tailored to address various cognitive functions which incorporated evidence-based practice and familiar therapeutic methods. CONCLUSION: Providers who engage individuals experiencing homelessness benefit from structured training in order to increase ability to screen for and modify interventions for a history of brain injury to better address their clients' needs.