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The 2009 Presidential Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness was commissioned to identify and address psychosocial factors and conditions associated with homelessness and define the role of psychologists in ending the phenomenon. The task force examined the scientific research into homelessness and conducted a Web-based survey to learn the extent of psychologists’ activities in relation to people without homes. “Through research, training, practice and advocacy, the field of psychology can make invaluable contributions toward the remediation of homelessness,” said James H. Bray, PhD, immediate past president of APA who commissioned the task force. “The report of this task force is a call to our profession to work to end homelessness, which is a major public health concern.” Psychologists in their roles as clinicians, researchers and educators have unique contributions to make toward ending homelessness, the task force said. Psychologists can assist by providing culturally competent psychological assessments, intensive case management, assertive community treatment, critical time intervention and ecologically based family therapy, which includes siblings and extended family members. “While the remediation of homelessness ultimately may depend mostly on improving the ratio between low-income households and increasing the number of affordable housing units, psychologists can play a role in helping people with mental health and substance abuse problems get and keep such housing,” the task force wrote. Under the rubric of research, the task force report calls on psychologists to, among other things: •Direct research efforts toward preventing homelessness in marginalized and vulnerable populations; •Design and disseminate evidence-based interventions for people who are homeless; •Investigate methods to promote resilience in at-risk populations, including children and youth; •Evaluate programs with a focus on mechanisms that support a rapid return to permanent housing and methods for sustaining housing in vulnerable populations. With respect to training, the report recommends that the discipline: •Incorporate into graduate school curricula theoretical and applied perspectives of working with populations at risk for homelessness; •Develop training opportunities for psychologists to work with at-risk populations; •Create continuing education programs that encourage psychologists to work with people who are homeless; •Enlist psychologists to work with service providers, charitable groups, community volunteers and others working to end homelessness. Other recommendations include creating meaningful collaborations between psychologists and others working with the homeless and advocating for legislation that would fund housing and provide services to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. A copy of the task force report may be obtained from APA’s Public Affairs office (public.affairs@apa.org) or at www.apa.org/pi/ses/ Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com We videotape Press Conferences, produce Satellite MediaTour's, B-rolls, PSA's, - all with distribution: HealthyTelevisionProductionstvmike13@healthnewsdigest.com Top of Page 
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