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Department
Nursing
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Abstract
A large metropolitan area in Southern California is facing an escalating mental health crisis among its homeless population. Many individuals encounter substantial barriers to accessing mental health services, including stigma, logistical challenges, and systemic fragmentation. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve mental health service utilization among homeless individuals by 25% through targeted outreach strategies, such as QR code distribution, strategic partnerships, and direct engagement efforts. The project utilized the Model for Improvement framework, applying the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to iteratively refine outreach strategies. Despite challenges such as displacement from public spaces and low response rates, the initiative provided critical insights into the complexities of engaging this vulnerable population. The findings emphasize the need for sustained funding, flexible policies, adaptive outreach strategies, and stronger interagency collaboration to improve mental health service accessibility and build trust within the community.
Keywords
Homelessness, mental health services, outreach, California, quality improvement
Advisor
Jenny Manry
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Document Type
DNP Project
Recommended Citation
Biakop, Guy, "Improving Mental Health Access for Homeless Populations in San Bernardino" (2025). Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice. 3280.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/3280
Rights
© The Author
