Local Shelter Research Articles

Assessment of the extent of community preparedness to flood risk in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Jigawa State faces annual flood disasters that have resulted in significant loss of life and property, putting many communities at risk. This study aim to evaluate the preparedness for flood risk in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A sample of 666 respondents was selected for a self-administered questionnaire, with 601 fully completed. The collected data were analyzed descriptively to determine the preparedness index. (PI). From the result of the findings, a majority (77.7%) of the respondents agreed that the community is aware of flood risks. There was also a provision of a neighborhood directory (97.8%), local shelter (75.9%) and emergency contacts (55.4%) during floods. The PI (92.6%, 98.6% 84.1% and 85.1% respectively), are above the 65% threshold and hence considered ‘prepared’ in this regard; but, ‘somewhat prepared’ (PI of 61.7%) regarding awareness of flood disaster risk management strategies; ‘and unprepared’ (PI of 55.5%, 50.5%, 50.5%, 50.8% and 54.3% respectively) in terms of community organization of public education and training of flood risk reduction (66.6%); engagement on rehearsals/emergency drills (51.6%); good community-based warning system (51.4%); and a standalone system for property protection measures during floods (52.4%); as well as an active recovery plan (62.9%). It was recommended that proper embankment protection and water regulation outlets be established. Additionally, real-time flood forecasting and effective early warning systems should be developed. Communities should be assessed to identify flood risk zones before construction activities begin, or alternatively, resettlement to safer areas should be considered for those living in flood-prone regions.

Outcomes of a Community Cat Program Based on Sterilization of Owned, Semi-Owned and Unowned Cats in a Small Rural Town

Free-roaming cats in urban and peri-urban areas and in rural towns pose significant challenges due to their nuisance behaviors, threats to wildlife, and potential disease transmission. Traditional management methods often involve trapping and euthanizing many of these cats, which is not only costly but also distressing for the shelter staff involved, and have failed to reduce numbers of impounded cats or cat-related complaints. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Community Cat Program that provided free sterilization, microchipping, and preventative veterinary care for all owned, semi-owned, and unowned cats in a small rural town with high cat impoundments in Ipswich, Queensland. The program was instigated by the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Queensland and the Animal Welfare League, Queensland, and it was funded by various organizations including Fondation Brigitte Bardot. Data from 2017 to 2023 were analyzed to assess the impact of the program on cat intake and outcomes in local shelters. A total of 308 cats were sterilized, representing 94 cats per 1000 residents over 3.4 years, and in the third year, this was associated with a 60% decrease in cat intake, an 85% reduction in numbers euthanized and 39% fewer cat-related calls to the local council. These findings suggest that high-intensity, targeted sterilization programs significantly decrease shelter intake and euthanasia, and thus alleviate the psychological burden on staff. These programs are a humane and effective alternative to traditional cat management, and benefit animal welfare as well as community wellbeing. This is aligned with a One Welfare approach, which enhances the well-being of animals, humans, and their environments. Legislative changes are required to support these programs to effectively decrease the numbers of free-roaming cats in cities and towns and the issues they cause, while protecting human wellbeing.

Challenges, Capabilities, and Proposed Initiatives for Capacity-building among Shelter Beneficiaries in Davao City, Philippines: A Case Study

Shelter programs stand out as powerful drivers of development, recognizing the rights of the urban beneficiaries in determining their well-being. This study emphasizes the Davao City Shelter Code as the nation’s pioneering local government-led shelter code initiative. The research utilizes a grounded theory approach, as it is well-suited for understanding complex, emerging phenomena within the shelter program and the challenges experienced by shelter beneficiaries. The study employed theoretical sampling and snowball sampling techniques to collect data while analyzing the challenges shelter beneficiaries face through an in-depth case study. For this purpose, 27 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted alongside 34 focus group discussions (FGDs) at four different resettlement sites. The findings underscore challenges linked to loss of livelihood due to displacement, skills training mismatch, and insufficient leadership skills experienced by the shelter beneficiaries. Despite these challenges, these shelter beneficiaries have illustrated their capabilities to start income-generating exercises with assurance to outlive, regularly with bolster from NGOs and private companies. Moreover, the inquiry recognizes proposed activities for capacity-building to improve protection conditions and advance the well-being of the recipients by and large. Finally, the researchers developed a model for the shelter program that outlines the steps that link challenges, capacity-building social resources, and autonomous well-being, ultimately leading to the creation of the ‘shelter-space model’. This model emphasizes sustainable networks and community development initiatives to improve living conditions, prevent dependency, and ensure active involvement among the shelter beneficiaries in Davao City, Philippines.

A Study on Problems of the Street Vendors in Lalbandi Municipality

Due to their lack of education and skills, street vendors are among the most vulnerable and impoverished groups in the urban informal labor market and business sector. They are also unable to obtain permanent positions in the lucrative formal sector. They constantly attempt to use their limited financial means to address the issues affecting their way of life. They serve as the primary distribution routes for a wide range of goods used on a daily basis, including fruits, vegetables, shoes, ready-made clothes, toys, household appliances, stationery, newspapers, and periodicals. A serious dilemma would arise for small-scale businesses that cannot afford to retail their products through pricey formal sector distribution networks, as well as fruit and vegetable growers, if they were to be removed from urban markets. So is found in the case of street vendors of Lalbandi Municipality. Thus, main purpose of conducting this study is to find out the problems faced by street vendors in Lalbandi Municipality. For this, descriptive research design is adopted to explore street vendors’ problems. Out of two hundred seventy-three street vendors of Lalbandi Municipality, thirty street vendors are chosen randomly. The street vendors who sell fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, and household appliances via local vehicles and permanent shelter are the subjects of the current study. The study showed that there is a noteworthy correlation between the issues encountered by the street vendors. The respondents’ general opinion of street sellers and the issues they encountered do not significantly correlate. In nutshell, the street vendors of Lalbandi Municipality have been facing various sorts of problems such as lack of security, price fluctuation, lack of sufficient amount, bribes to the authorities etc. and for that a comprehensive strategy that includes social protection measures, infrastructure and service investments, policy reforms, and initiatives to organize and empower street vendors is needed. Furthermore, the present study is useful to the stakeholders, policy makers and to those who have just started up their small-scale businesses.

An incredible journey from veterinary nursing to human-animal bond researcher.

Sandra McCune volunteered at her local animal shelter aged 13 and, fascinated by dog and cat behaviour, she went on to become an RVN and then a leading researcher in the field of human-animal interactions.

Implementing a Reproducible Foot and Vaccine Clinic Model to Address Healthcare Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness

Background: Homeless Health, Education, Awareness and Leadership in Street Medicine (HEALS) is a nonprofit, medical student-run organization. The mission of HEALS is to address the medical and psychosocial needs of people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Through street medicine outreach initiatives, HEALS works to improve health outcomes associated with unstable housing and limited access to healthcare. The HEALS Foot and Vaccine Clinic was developed to screen for and treat vascular insufficiency, chronic and acute wounds, and foot-related pathologies, and provide vaccinations to prevent infectious illnesses. This clinic also aimed to prevent exposure-related injuries by providing proper footwear and direct access to care. Aim: Our objective is to create a reproducible foot and vaccine clinic model for student-run clinics to address the needs of PEH through interprofessional collaboration and service learning. Methods: The event was funded through a crowdfunding campaign and donations and was hosted at a local shelter. Medical students and physicians employed by the medical school partnered with five community outreach programs to provide medical care. The Department of Health (DoH) administered vaccinations against common viral diseases. Results: Through crowdfunding campaigns, $6,646.00 was raised to contribute to the cost of boots, hygiene kits for attendees, and cleaning supplies, budgeted at $5,198.00. Forty-seven individuals experiencing homelessness were provided with foot care and twenty-six vaccines were administered. The DoH administered twelve hepatitis A, five coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and nine influenza vaccinations at this event. Successive members of HEALS have since replicated this model to replicate foot and vaccine clinics and expand outreach to the neighboring county, yielding increased event attendance and funding. Using this model, student-run free clinics may implement similar initiatives within their own communities to address the complex needs of PEH.

The Effect of Homelessness on Management of Menstruation and Dysmenorrhea in Pomona, California [ID 2683481

INTRODUCTION: Given the challenges to menstrual hygiene many women face and the high rate of homelessness in Pomona, California, we suspected women without housing would have increased difficulty managing their menstrual hygiene and dysmenorrhea primarily due to resource inaccessibility. METHODS: After IRB approval and beta testing, we partnered with local homeless shelters and a student-run clinic to screen for eligible participants, obtain verbal consent, and conduct anonymous interviews. Each interview lasted 15 minutes with 26 questions spanning demographics, menstrual hygiene and dysmenorrhea management, and history of homelessness. RESULTS: Analysis of 50 surveys (96% response rate) revealed that 37% of participants reportedly relied on shelter pantries for access to menstrual hygiene products, 27% of participants admitted to stealing their preferred products, and almost 10% of participants reported resorting to using alternate methods such as free bleeding and old clothes to catch their menstrual flow. For management of dysmenorrhea-associated painful cramping, 96% of participants reported preferring medication management but not having access to it when homeless so instead their only option was to “just deal with it” (60%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study illuminate the gap in existing literature regarding the specific struggles that homeless people face when managing their menstrual hygiene and dysmenorrhea. The discrepancies in management of hygiene and pain when housed versus unhoused come down to lack of access to essential resources. Shelter pantries do not have enough funding to effectively support the size and demand of the growing menstruating homeless population.

The Work of Youth Homelessness Prevention in Ontario: Points of Frustration, Points of Potential

Despite a rhetorical turn towards prevention in homelessness policy and research, the work of youth homelessness prevention continues to be frustrated by persistent structural barriers. In this article, we examine how youth homelessness prevention is being implemented in the province of Ontario, with a focus on targeted provincial support programs and local shelter diversion practices. Drawing on interviews with workers in the homeless-serving sector, we describe the implementation of these initiatives and identify points of frustration and potential that workers encounter as they try to prevent experiences of homelessness for youth. We contend that these points of frustration illuminate persistent structural barriers that continue to forestall the work of youth homelessness prevention. Meanwhile, points of potential demonstrate the importance of empowering workers to creatively adapt and offer responsive services. Taken together, these signal the critical importance of two aspects of contemporary homelessness prevention typologies—primordial prevention and empowerment. We end by offering aspirations for action, a political reframing of the policy recommendations sections more typical of social science research articles. We do so to affirm our commitment to advancing the work of structural transformation that is required to achieve the right to housing for all, including youth.

Urban-canopy airflow dynamics: A numerical investigation of drag forces and distribution for generic neighborhoods, and their relationships with breathability

Thorough investigations of urban-canopy drag primarily stemming from pressure drag on building surfaces are necessary given the turbulent flows within complex urban areas. Moreover, a gap persists regarding the relationships between canopy drag and breathability. Therefore, this work delves into the canopy-layer airflow dynamics for generic urban neighborhoods by performing three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. A total of 32 subcases are examined, encompassing uniform- and varying-height and diverse plan area densities (λp, categorized into groups of sparse: 0.0625/0.067, medium: 0.23/0.25, and dense: 0.53/0.56). Results for the drag distribution highlight the windward-row shelter effect for the medium and the dense, local shelter by taller buildings, and distinct shapes of sectional drag forces (F⁎Z). Local velocity and mean age of air are found strongly positively and negatively correlated to F⁎Z, respectively, with distinct slopes in relation to λp. For the uniform-height, the normalized bulk drag (F⁎bulk, referred to as drag coefficient in literature) peaks for the medium with wake-interference regime; F⁎bulk demonstrates a maximum increase of over two times with height variation; moreover, F⁎bulk for varying-height groups exhibits a marked increase from the sparse to the medium, while remaining comparable values for the dense. The frontal area averaged drag (FAf,ave) exhibits a decreasing trend against λp across all cases. Further, FAf,ave exhibits strong correlations with λp and porosity, and with bulk ventilation indices such as spatially averaged velocity, air change rate, and normalized net escape velocity. Throughout the ‘suburban-urban-suburban’ canopy, medium neighborhoods exerting larger drag cause greater streamwise outdoor pressure drops and flow reductions compared to the sparse. However, dense neighborhoods with lower drag exhibit even larger pressure losses, which should be carefully scrutinized. The findings can inform urban planners in designing more aerodynamically efficient neighborhoods and guide strategies for improving air quality within urban environments.

An Epidemiological Assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. Infection in Pet Animals from Taiwan

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are enteric protozoan pathogens in humans. and animals. Companion animals infected with zoonotic species/assemblages are a matter of major public concern around the world. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalences of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections and their co-infection statuses in dogs and cats living in Taiwan and to identify the species and assemblages. Fecal samples were collected from local animal shelters (n = 285) and a veterinary hospital (n = 108). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the SSU-rRNA, β-giardin, and glutamate dehydrogenase genes for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Results showed that the overall prevalences of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were 7.38% (29/393) and 10.69% (42/393). In addition, co-infection was detected in 1.02% (4/393) of all samples. Sample source, clinical sign, and breed may be risk factors that influence the infection rate. In Cryptosporidium-positive samples, C. canis and C. felis were detected most frequently. Although the canine-specific assemblages C and D (37/42) were dominant, the zoonotic human-specific assemblage A (1/42) was also found in Giardia-positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most positive samples belonged to host-specific subtypes/assemblages, while some Cryptosporidium or Giardia-positive samples could be zoonotic. The findings suggested that pet animals could be a cause of zoonotic transmission, causing human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Taiwan.

Identifying Biopsychosocial Characteristics of Emergency Youth Shelter Residents With Psychiatric Diagnoses.

Background In the United States, homelessness is an issue that may affect a significant portion of the adolescent population. There is no consensus on the extent to which this population has been impacted by poor mental health and lack of resources. This study aimed to characterize trends among those who struggle with housing insecurity and mental illness to provide a clearer picture of mental health needs among this population. Methods Data from 641 adolescents who presented to a local adolescent homeless shelter between 2015 and 2021 were utilized to determine if there were significant associations between specific mental illness diagnoses and biopsychosocial characteristics. A chi-square test of independence was performed on demographic and psychosocial variables for categories with a frequency greater than five. For continuous variables, an unpaired t-test was utilized to assess significance (p<0.05). Results Among the study population, 61.3% (369) had at least one psychiatric diagnosis, which is higher than even the most conservative estimates of mental illness among the general public. Having one or more psychiatric diagnoses was significantly associated with suicide attempts, documented aggressive behavior, and tobacco use. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, there were no significant correlations between psychiatric diagnoses and demographic characteristics or drug use other than tobacco. Conclusions Our findings indicate that though the particular reasons for homelessness among adolescents may vary, the prevalence of mental illness among these young individuals was roughly uniformly distributed and vastly above normal levels. Future research must focus on developing interventions to mitigate the effects of mental illness among homeless adolescents, as they are at a vulnerable point in their formative years.

Skincare from the inside out: a pilot project addressing social determinants of health through dermatology.

Many women's shelters across the nation have programs that emphasize and empower women through career workshops and skills training. However, what is not typically addressed is their dermatological and mental health needs, which are equally important. Through this pilot project, we aim to address the diverse interrelated issues concerning the whole woman and her body/mind systems including skin cancer awareness, skincare, healthy sun habits, self-esteem, mental health, and stress management. By addressing the woman holistically, we hope to positively impact the way she views and values herself. We partnered with a local women's shelter to host a seminar focused on dermatological and mental health education. Pre- and post-seminar surveys were collected from participants. Surveys were anonymous and aimed to evaluate the success and efficiency of the workshop to guide and improve future seminars. The seminar had three workshops: skin cancer and sun protection, skincare, and mental health and wellness. Upon completion of the seminar, the attendees were provided with the opportunity to receive free skin examinations by two board-certified dermatologists, and referrals were made to Northeast Ohio Medical University's Student-Run Free Clinic. Upon completion of the seminar, attendees were provided with items such as sunscreen, skincare, and mental health resources. The "Skincare from the Inside Out" pilot project proved to be beneficial to residents of both Norma Herr Women's Shelter. Limitations of this study were the small sample size (n = 15), due to participation limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, to reduce the morbidity and mortality of dermatologic conditions associated with homelessness, it is imperative to address upstream social determinants of health. Future development of this pilot project will aim toward educating medical professionals on the unique and complex dermatologic and mental health needs of women experiencing homelessness.

Role of neighbourhood spatial and energy design in reducing energy vulnerability during power disruption

This research discusses the role of neighbourhoods' design in reducing their energy vulnerability during power disruptions. Neighbourhoods’ design includes building types and their role and function, as well as land use and spatial design of the neighbourhood. The architectural design and energy characteristics of specific buildings are analysed to assess their potential to act as local shelters in case of evacuations, and available renewable and alternative energy sources to supply energy during power outage. The neighbourhoods considered in this study are designed according to sustainable practices while reflecting North American practice of urban developments. Several response scenarios are designed and analysed to account for the duration of disruptions, scenarios of evacuations, and type of temporary shelters. The role of neighbourhood design is highlighted under each of these scenarios, and recommendations on practices to enhance resilience are discussed. Building such as schools with shelter energy intensity of 9.5 kWh can be prioritized during the evacuations in power outages. By modifying standard design guidelines for shelters of 5.6 m2/person to 4 m2/person, the shelter to population ratio can be significantly increased (i.e., by 77%–80%) supporting community resilience. The relevance of proximity of shelter building to residential areas as well as role of landscape for additional energy system installation are also discussed in this work.

Emerging risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in shelter dogs in southern Italy.

In southern Italy, the number of autochthonous cases of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs has increased considerably. This also occurs in the Campania region, particularly in coastal areas, where infections with D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens have been reported more frequently. Therefore the aim of the present study was to better investigate the occurrence of Dirofilaria spp. in a local dog shelter in Castel Volturno (Campania region, southern Italy). Briefly, a total of 260 blood samples were analysed for identification of microfilariae (mff) and detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. Dogs were classified according to their age (1-3 years; 4-6 years; 7-11 years; > 11 years) and length of stay in the shelter at the time of sampling (dogs that entered in the shelter in the last 4 months; dogs housed in the shelter for more than 4 months up to 2 years; dogs housed for more than 2 years). The modified Knott's test revealed that 195 dogs (75.0%) were positive for circulating mff of Dirofilaria spp. Specifically, 104/260 (40.0%) dogs were positive for D. immitis and 91/260 (35.0%) were positive for D. repens. In addition, 72/260 (27.7%) dogs had both D. immitis and D. repens mff. Antigen testing revealed that 78/260 (30.0%) dogs were positive for D. immitis. However, 26/104 (25.0%) of the dogs with D. immitis mff were antigen-negative. The overall k concordance between the modified Knott's test and the antigenic test was ≤0.2 (poor) (p = 0.000). The results of the logistic regression model showed a significant association between Dirofilaria exposure and the period of time the dogs had spent in the shelter at the time of sampling. Dogs housed in the shelter for 4 months (group 1) and between 4 months and 2 years (group 2) had higher Dirofilaria positivity than dogs in group 3 (housed for more than 2 years) (80.4% vs. 79.6% vs. 62.4%, respectively). Moreover, male dogs and older dogs (between 7 and 11 years of age) were more likely to be infected with Dirofilaria spp.

Impacts of household vulnerability on hurricane logistics evacuation under COVID-19: The case of U.S. Hampton Roads

Historical data suggest that when a severe tropical storm or hurricane impacts a community, the vulnerable segment of the population suffers the most severe consequences. With an increased aging population, it is crucial to understand how vulnerability alters evacuation behavior. Emergent variables such as fear of COVID-19 require additional exploration. People afraid of COVID-19 exposure may refuse to evacuate, exposing themselves unnecessarily. Differentiation is critical to evacuation logistics since it is needed to determine what proportion would stay in a local shelter, public or other, rather than evacuating or staying in their home and guide the logistics resource allocation process. This research uses data from a web and phone survey conducted in the Hampton Roads area of U.S. Virginia, with 2,200 valid responses to analyze the influence of social and demographic vulnerability factors and risk perception on evacuation decisions. This research contributes to the existing literature by developing a multinomial order logit model based on vulnerability factors and intended evacuation decisions, including staying at home, looking for a shelter, or leaving the Hampton Roads area. Findings show that race and risk perception are the variables that influence the decision-making process the most. Fear of COVID-19 transmission is also associated with an increased likelihood of leaving homes during evacuation. The variations in findings from previous studies are discussed regarding their implications for logistics emergency managers.

The Implications of Migration Governance and Colonial Structures in Humanitarian Organisations in Mexico

Non-government organisations (NGOs) have emerged in Mexico to support migrants while also cooperating with governmental institutions. Based on nine months of fieldwork, this paper explores the ambivalences within humanitarian organisations that aid migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. First, this article suggests that organisations engage in practices of mistrust and policing of migrants that do not align with their intention to safeguard them. Second, it argues that NGOs facilitate instances of paternalism to control migrants in their shelters and further subordinate them. Finally, it addresses how local organisations and shelters resolved the duality of care and control by punishing migrants. NGOs are drawn to reinforce the power structures that govern global migration. This is often in contradiction to their caring and supportive roles. As a result, NGOs replicate entrenched racialising discourse, power inequalities and control over mobile subjects.

Recognizing Local Champions in Infection Prevention and Control.

Recognizing Local Champions in Infection Prevention and Control.

Evaluation of a Community Hospital-Based Residencies’ Intimate Partner Violence Education by a Domestic Violence Shelter Expert

Intimate partner violence, or IPV, is estimated to affect an estimated 10 million Americans. From 2015-2017 our community hospital-based residencies trained first-year residents to improve education in recognizing and screening for IPV. This retrospective cohort study's goal was to analyze the longitudinal effectiveness of the educational program. The education was based on a curriculum created by Futures Without and the United States Office on Violence Against Women. The curriculum was taught by Turning Point, the local county provider for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and involved five hours of training. Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey was used as the assessment tool. Residents were measured pre-, post immediate, and one-year post-education. Measures that include perceived knowledge and perceived preparation improved post immediate and one year after the training (p = 0.0001). Actual knowledge increased significantly post immediate but decreased after one year (p = 0.0001). The proportion of residents who screened patients and the proportion of patients who were screened increased post-intervention. The educational training provided by our local shelter improved residents' performance in several of the categories tested, but most importantly, improved IPV practice post immediate and generally one year after.

Corticotropin releasing hormone is present in the feline placenta and maternal serum.

In women, placental corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) can be detected in maternal blood throughout pregnancy and is important in the regulation of the timing of parturition. However, its role in other mammalian species is unclear. In fact, very little is known about the presence and localization of CRH in placentas other than human. In this study we report for the first time the presence of CRH in feline placenta and maternal serum. Presence of CRH mRNA and protein was assessed using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, in at term domestic cat placentas opportunistically obtained at a local animal shelter and spay clinic. In addition, CRH localization within the placenta was demonstrated via immunohistochemistry. Finally, presence of CRH in maternal blood from early (¾21 days) and mid (25-35 days) stages of pregnancy was investigated by ELISA. CRH mRNA and protein were detected in feline placentas, and localized to larger decidual cells and fetal trophoblast cells, including the binucleate cells. CRH was detectable in maternal blood collected from early-stage pregnancies, and amounts significantly increased in mid-gestation samples. This is the first report on the presence and localization of CRH in the feline placenta, and its increase in maternal serum during the first half of pregnancy. These data lay the foundation for future studies to determine if CRH can be used as potential novel marker for early pregnancy diagnosis, determination, and monitoring in felids, and could greatly increase efficiency and success in zoo breeding programs utilizing artificial reproductive technologies for endangered feline species.

Abstract 4180: Knowledge and barriers to colorectal cancer screenings in people experiencing homelessness in Central Florida

Abstract Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to assess how existing knowledge about colorectal cancer screenings and access to resources affect the ability to obtain colorectal cancer screening in people experiencing homelessness in Central Florida. Procedures: A team of researchers from the University of Central Florida will survey subjects who do not have stable housing in two Central Florida locations: a local shelter for men, women, and children and a resource center for the unsheltered. The survey will take place in February 2023 with a sample size goal of 400. The survey will assess current understanding of CRC screenings and available/lacking resources necessary for completing CRC screening in this population. Our inclusion criteria include those who are undomiciled, age 45 and over who speak Spanish or English. Preliminary Results: Anticipated results from previous work by our research team with this population indicate that we will have a large, diverse study sample. The results will include demographic data, frequency of insurance coverage, type of insurance coverage, knowledge of CRC screening recommendations, concerns related to CRC, rate of past completed screening, and perceived barriers to accessing CRC screening. Conclusions: This study will be the first to examine this research topic in Florida. The results will identify the knowledge of CRC screening recommendations, barriers to CRC screening and identify resources needed for the unhoused population to achieve CRC screening in the future. Citation Format: Harini Sankar, Cassie L. Odahowski. Knowledge and barriers to colorectal cancer screenings in people experiencing homelessness in Central Florida. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4180.