Development of occupational therapy in a homeless shelter.

SUMMARY This paper describes a program which provides occupational therapy services to a population of homeless individuals residing in an emergency shelter in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Principles of community-built practice were combined with the use of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance to provide the theoretical approach for the program. A needs assessment was done and the programming developed and implemented based on identified needs is described. Outcomes and recommendations for the future are discussed.