Physical Therapy Students Learn About Homelessness

According to the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness, Florida has the third largest homeless population in the U.S. behind California and New York.  With the cost of housing in S. Florida coupled with inflation, the demographics of the homeless are changing and numbers increasing.

Although the numbers are significant, curricula exposure of students to homelessness is minor at best.  As DPT students may encounter homeless individuals in their clinical experiences, dispelling stereotypes and providing opportunities for interaction and education have been integrated into the curriculum.

The Fort Lauderdale DPT program has partnered with the Broward Partnership for the Homeless (BPHI) at the Deerfield site,  as a component of the Integrated Clinical Education  (ICE) experiences.  Under the supervision of Isabella Preble, Community Relations Specialist, BPHI, and Debra Stern, PT, DPT, DBA, NSU, first year students are participating in the Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers volunteer program.

This Service Learning initiative is providing education about needs of the homeless of all ages; toddlers through aging adults, and the services available in Broward County.  Each student spends one afternoon in the fall semester learning, interacting, serving and preparing a meal for the 186+ residents of the center.

Posted 11/20/22