Social work practice with homeless mentally ill people: engaging the client

The engagement phase in practice with homeless mentally ill clients is central to work with this vulnerable population. In this article, the author develops an empowerment-oriented approach to the tasks of engagement. Specific engagement strategies include making a clear offer of service and providing voluntary services that meet clients' perceived needs. The author's thesis that homeless mentally ill individuals can be helped most effectively if their control over the helping process is maximized suggests practice strategies that encourage clients to participate fully in identifying needs, determining goals, and setting the terms of the helping process. Involving clients in program planning further promotes client self-determination and autonomy. Recent studies of programs for homeless mentally ill people suggest that empowerment-oriented approaches have been highly effective in engaging clients in the service relationship.