Strategy. Homelessness Prevention Programs (Pregnancy)
Approach. Provide pregnant and postpartum women with social and financial supports while recognizing their resilience
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Overview. Homelessness prevention programs can benefit pregnant women in several ways: early intervention, housing assistance, supportive services, education and empowerment, and collaboration and coordination.[1] By implementing prevention strategies, homeless pregnant women can be supported in maintaining stable housing, accessing essential services, and improving their health outcomes during pregnancy. Prevention efforts aim to address the non-medical influences on health that contribute to homelessness and promote the well-being of pregnant women and their unborn children.
Evidence. Emerging Evidence.
Strategies with this rating typically trend positive and have good potential to work...
Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.
Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:
- Client-level financial support and service documentation
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Client-reported self-efficacy and resilience data
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Qualitative feedback from clients and staff Referral data
Outcome Components.
This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes
(Read more about these categories):
- Social Determinants of Health. This strategy advances economic, social, and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. SDOH include the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
- Policy. This strategy helps to promote decisions, laws, and regulations that promote public health practices and interventions.
Detailed Outcomes.
For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy,
access the peer-reviewed evidence
and read the Intervention Results for each study.
Intervention Type.
Case Management (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the
Public Health Intervention Wheel).
Intervention Level.
Individual/Family-Focused
Examples from the Field.
There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the
ESM database.
Sample ESMs.
Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework
(see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).
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Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)
- Number of social workers, case managers, and outreach staff trained to provide homelessness prevention support to pregnant and postpartum women. (Assesses workforce capacity for prevention programs)
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Number of cross-sector partnerships led by Title V established to provide comprehensive homelessness prevention services, including housing assistance, income support, and health and social services. (Shows multi-disciplinary collaboration for prevention)
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Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)
- Percent of homelessness prevention programs for pregnant and postpartum women that utilize evidence-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches. (Measures adherence to best practices and woman-centered principles)
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Percent of program staff who demonstrate humility, empathy, and respect in their interactions with pregnant and postpartum women experiencing housing instability. (Assesses workforce competencies and relationship-building skills)
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Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)
- Number of community-wide initiatives promoted by Title V implemented to build public awareness and support for preventing homelessness among pregnant and postpartum women. (Measures efforts to shift community norms and build political will for prevention)
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Number of pregnant and postpartum women in prevention programs who report increased social connectedness, resilience, and self-efficacy in navigating challenges related to housing instability. (Measures psychosocial and support outcomes of prevention support)
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Number of pregnant and postpartum women supported by Title V who experience improved maternal and child health outcomes, such as reduced maternal morbidity, optimal birth spacing, and positive parenting practices, as a result of participating in homelessness prevention programs. (Measures impact of prevention on holistic maternal and child wellbeing)
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Number of communities that demonstrate significant and sustained reductions in pregnant and postpartum women experiencing homelessness and housing instability over time. (Shows population-level, transformative impact of institutionalizing prevention efforts)
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Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)
- Percent of community-wide initiatives promoted by Title V implemented to build public awareness and support for preventing homelessness among pregnant and postpartum women. (Measures efforts to shift community norms and build political will for prevention)
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Percent of pregnant and postpartum women in prevention programs who report increased social connectedness, resilience, and self-efficacy in navigating challenges related to housing instability. (Measures psychosocial and support outcomes of prevention support)
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Percent of pregnant and postpartum women supported by Title V who experience improved maternal and child health outcomes, such as reduced maternal morbidity, optimal birth spacing, and positive parenting practices, as a result of participating in homelessness prevention programs. (Measures impact of prevention on holistic maternal and child wellbeing)
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Percent of communities that demonstrate significant and sustained reductions in pregnant and postpartum women experiencing homelessness and housing instability over time. (Shows population-level, transformative impact of institutionalizing prevention efforts)
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Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:
- Move from measuring quantity to quality.
- Move from measuring effort to effect.
- Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
- The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.
Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.
References
[1] Ervin, E., Poppe, B., Onwuka, A., Keedy, H., Metraux, S., Jones, L., ... & Kelleher, K. (2021). Characteristics associated with homeless pregnant women in Columbus, Ohio. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 1-7.
