Description:  A partnership between the San Francisco Public Library and the local Department of Public Health resulted in the placement of a social worker at the Main Library to link users to housing and social services. Eventually a job-training component was added, providing opportunities to develop marketable skills for people who had been homeless. Meet and hear the story of a library outreach worker who shares his/her own story to inspire others who are still struggling with homelessness.  You can learn more about the San Francisco Public Library's Homeless Outreach Team by clinking on this hyperlink

At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the issues that many of library patrons struggle with such as homelessness, mentally illness, poverty and substance abuse
  
• Have strategies for helping homeless library users
  

This webinar will be of interest to library front-line staff, primarily in public libraries but useful no matter the setting. (this webinar will be eligible for 1 LEU)

Event Registration Page-   https://instlibrary.adobeconnect.com/socialworker1042017/event/registration.html

Event Login Page-  https://instlibrary.adobeconnect.com/socialworker1042017/event/login.html 

Bio:   Leah Esguerra is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She is the nation's first full-time library social worker.  Esguerra was hired by the San Francisco Public Library in 2009 to do outreach to patrons in need of social services.  She is also an employee of the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.  Prior to working at SFPL, Leah worked at a community mental health clinic in San Francisco for 8 years  providing treatment and case management services to the severely mentally-ill and chronically homeless. She also worked at a domestic violence shelter in San Francisco for 4 years as a Child Therapist/Children's Advocate. Via policy and staff development, Esguerra helped shape the Health and Safety Associates (HASAs) Team into its current incarnation of 7 HASAs, whom she supervises. HASAs are individuals who have personal experience with homelessness and usage of the San Francisco social service system. In addition, Esguerra also provides 'best practices' training and consultation to library staff regarding mental health and chronic homelessness issues.  She has assisted over a thousand library patrons with their social service needs since 2009. She has been instrumental in linking over 100 patrons to permanent housing.  The library social service team under Leah's supervision has become a national model for the libraries in the country seeking to provide services to its chronically homeless and/or severely mentally ill patrons.

The Indiana State Library will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. If you require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in this program, service, or activity of the Indiana State Library, please contact the agency's ADA Coordinator, Faye Brookins (FBrookins@spd.IN.gov or [317) 233-1184]).  Notice of a needed accommodation should be provided as soon as possible to allow time for the State Library to arrange for the accommodation; however, notice of a needed accommodation must be provided to one of the above contacts no later than 48 hours in advance.