Housing Hope 2/7/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

• For medical, dental and mental health issues: assess and refer to partners such as Providence General, Children's Hospital, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Catholic Community Services or Compass Mental Health. • Many homeless or low income children are on the autism spectrum. Housing Hope works with the Sensory Processing Disorder Program at Providence General and supports parents to complete the often daunting application process. Housing Hope's College of Hope adult lifs skills program also provides a course of "The Incredible Years" parenting course specific to parents of children with autism. • Before CPS involvement: Specialists can provide intensive services working on issues of safety in the home to keep the situation from escalating to a point where CPS must be called. • In cases of child abuse or neglect: Ramp up intensive services as the child transitions either out of or back into the home. • Work one-on-one with older children and youth on school attendance if needed. Assist in developing a morning routine to attend school and to see the importance of their education and future. • Connecting teens to counseling for emotional disturbances, including eating disorders and suicidal thoughts/actions. • Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) social/emotional developmental growth group for school age children. Specific examples of intervention for parents (which in turn, supports the child) include: • Referrals to parenting classes to understand the normal development of their child and positive parenting techniques. • Supporting the parents with setting up morning routines and getting their child to school on time. • Supporting parents of physically aggressive children, connecting them with parenting strategies and referrals to behavior specialists. • Helping parents understand the At Risk Youth petition and court system process, the Becca Bill (truancy and compulsory attendance law) and Everett's alternative public school, the PASS Program. If these last resort measures are necessary for the family, the Specialists will support the parents and children throughout the processes. • Provide parent engagement events, which increase parent social supports and promote school engagement skills. Target Population: The Child and Family Specialist Program targets homeless and low-income children age birth to 17 years either residing in Housing Hope's Everett Emergency Shelter or