Homelessness in the World Today – with Jay S. Levy

Homelessness in the World Today – Jay S. Levy has spent the last twenty-five years working with individuals who experience homelessness. He is the author of the newly published book Pre-treatment Guide for Homeless Outreach & Housing First: Helping Couples, Youth, and Unaccompanied Adults, as well as the highly acclaimed book Homeless Narratives & Pre-treatment Pathways: From Words to Housing. Jay has also published a monograph and several journal articles on Homelessness issues. He has helped to develop new Housing First programs such as the Regional Engagement and Assessment for Chronically Homeless Housing First program (REACH). This was adopted by the Western Massachusetts Regional Network as an innovative approach toward reducing chronic homelessness and has also been integrated into the Pioneer Valley’s 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Jay received his MSW degree in clinical social work from Columbia University in 1988. He has achieved formal recognition from the Commonwealth of MA Department of Mental Health for his ongoing efforts to help under-served homeless individuals through his direct service, clinical supervision of staff, and program development. Jay is currently employed by Eliot CHS-Homeless Services as a Regional Manager for the state-wide SAMHSA-PATH Homeless Outreach Program and Eliot’s Western MA Housing First Program. – www.jayslevy.com