Efforts to Improve Sleep Conditions at Central Arizona Shelter Services
Envision spending your nights surrounded by hundreds in a communal shelter. The environment could be too hot or too cold, and the mattresses might not offer any comfort. This is the daily reality for individuals residing at the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), where a new initiative is underway to enhance sleep quality.
According to Dr. Heather Ross, an assistant professor at Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, “No one is at their best when they have a terrible night of sleep.” Her team conducted interviews with CASS clients to gather insights into their sleep experiences.
The findings revealed a common sentiment: “they generally don’t sleep well,” Ross stated. To address this, the team has introduced sound mitigation equipment in a dormitory accommodating 40 to 60 clients. They are conducting surveys with the residents before activating the machine.
“And then we’re going to resurvey women in that dorm afterwards with the same survey questions, to see, did it make a difference if we can do what we are referring to as ‘modifying the soundscape,'” explained Ross. The initiative aims to determine if improved sleep can aid individuals in the complex process of overcoming homelessness.
Related Developments in Arizona
Complementing these efforts, the New Deal Meal serves numerous individuals weekly, distributing essentials like clothes, blankets, and pet food. Despite facing opposition from the city of Tempe, including a misdemeanor citation for founder Ron Tapscott, the initiative continues to support the community.
A recent development in Phoenix saw the opening of one of the nation’s few emergency shelters specifically for seniors. This facility was visited by Gov. Katie Hobbs on a recent tour.
As evictions reach unprecedented levels post-pandemic, Scott Blake, constable of the Hassayampa Precinct and president of the Arizona Constables Association, emphasizes the importance of executing the law with compassion.
In Glendale, officials are set to start construction on a 50-unit transitional housing project dedicated to homeless veterans and their families. This project received $3 million in funding from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors last year.
Moreover, hundreds of workers and volunteers from various government levels recently conducted the annual Point-In-Time count, surveying unsheltered individuals across Maricopa County.
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