Young children experiencing homelessness are at considerable risk for developing physical and cognitive impairments, yet federal and state programs often overlook their needs. Although early intervention programs should serve as family-centered, health-promoting resources for families experiencing homelessness, many do not locate and comprehensively screen eligible children ages ≤3 yr in their communities. Occupational therapy practitioners have a role in advocating for improved access to high-quality, federally mandated programming for this population. They should be aware of the barriers faced by homeless families in accessing equitable early developmental services and of strategies to support individual families and communities experiencing homelessness.
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September/October 2022
Research Article|
Online August 11 2022
Advocating for Change to Meet the Developmental Needs of Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Mary O’Donnell;
Mary O’Donnell
Mary O’Donnell, OT, OTD, OTR, is Instructor, Entry-Level OTD Program, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; mary.e.odonnell2@gmail.com
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Sarah McKinnon
Sarah McKinnon
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, is Program Director, Post-Professional OTD Program, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA.
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Online ISSN: 1943-7676
Print ISSN: 0272-9490
Copyright © 2022 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
2022
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2022, Vol. 76(5), 7605090010.
Citation
Mary O’Donnell, Sarah McKinnon; Advocating for Change to Meet the Developmental Needs of Young Children Experiencing Homelessness. Am J Occup Ther September/October 2022, Vol. 76(5), 7605090010. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.050114
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