Housing Hope 4/19/2021 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

N__.. EVERETT WASHINGTON • Substance Abuse Recovery: Research suggests that a parallel approach(multiple services provided simultaneously in a coordinated fashion)to chemical dependency treatment,mental health services,and housing is most beneficial for homeless families. •Employment: Teen and young parents need opportunities and support to build employment readiness skills and to successfully engage in job training and vocational certification programs. These services must occur within the context of comprehensive services that provide affordable housing,promote family stabilization,and offer positive, supportive relationships. Target Population: This program serves teen and young adult parents aged 16 to 24 and their children who are experiencing homelessnes at program entry. Each year,Housing Hope provides housing and services to approximately 25 teen and young adult parent households, all of whom have incomes below 30%of the area median.Eligible families meet the criteria for homelessness as defined by HUD and heads of households must be pregnant or have children under the age of 18 in their custody. Single female parents with children under the age of five are the majority head of households served by this program.Most families served present multiple challenges to sustaining permanent housing, including histories of abuse or neglect,histories of domestic violence,chemical dependency,mental illness, CPS involvement,lack of education or employment skills,and reliance on public support. How and when service will be provided: Family Support Coaches strive to meet with families once per week for at least one hour.These meetings are conducted on-site in the family's home and scheduled around parents'school or employment schedule. Life skills classes are provided on-site once per week. Dinner and childcare are provided for all life skills classes to remove barriers to attendance. Other services, such as one-on-one meetings with an Education and Employment Specialist or a Child and Family Specialist,are provided on-site, as-needed. Staffing: Experienced Housing Hope staff members provide all services. All Housing Hope services staff is required to have a Bachelor's-level degree in Social Work or a related field or have equivalent job-related experience providing services to low-income,at-risk or homeless youth or young families. The current staff for this proposed project have at least 35 combined years' experience working with this population, as well experience working with persons with histories of domestic violence,mental health issues, and substance use struggles.All staff is expected to complete training related to Motivational Interviewing and Adverse Childhood Experiences(trauma),and additional training is provided in chemical dependency recovery, domestic violence, mental health,DSHS benefits, child protective services, and other specialized topics relating to homelessness. 10