6.4: Family Matters: Family Preservation and Family Reunification

Supportive Housing Practices

Working with Women and Families Who Have Multiple Barriers to Stability

There are no limits to caring.®

Inter-Relationship of Homelessness, Substance Abuse, and Incarceration In Houston, 57% of persons who are homeless

also have chronic substance abuse issues From 1999 to 2007, number of mothers in

prison rose 122% Majority of women in the criminal justice

system have substance abuse/dependence In 70% of cases, drugs came first, then crime Over 70% of CPS cases involve substance

abuse by a parent

There are no limits to caring.®

VOA Look Up and Hope Initiative

Holistic, research-based approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration

Family- based perspective Comprehensive, coordinated services Goals: Family preservation, economic

stability, positive family relations, school success, juvenile delinquency prevention

VOA Gulf Coast Region is one of five pilots

There are no limits to caring.®

Pre-Release Services – WHO-A

WHO-A (Women Helping Ourselves) program Partnership with Harris County Community

Supervision and Corrections Dept Women with substance abuse related

offenses 6-12 month average incarceration VOA provides treatment and support services VOA provides 1:1 mentoring through OJP

Second Chance Mentoring grant

There are no limits to caring.®

Pre-Release Transitional Services - TDCJ 25 bed women’s residential program for

women exiting Texas prison system VOA provides supportive residential

substance abuse treatment and related support services

Assistance with employment preparation, job search and placement

Average 90 day stay

There are no limits to caring.®

McGovern Campus Residential Services

Provides substance abuse treatment, housing and support services for women and women with children

Funding through HUD SHP, Dept of State Health Services, United Way and Harris County

In 2009, 614 women and 90 children served

There are no limits to caring.®

Children and Family Services

Weekly family educational/counseling sessions Parenting training – Nurturing Parent

curriculum approved by Children’s Protective Services

One-on-one parenting labs Coordination and case planning with Children’s

Protective Services Children are able to accompany mother into

the McGovern program, weekly visitation in other programs

There are no limits to caring.®

Children’s Services

Child Development Specialist on staff

On site childcare services

Building Bridges to Literacy

Linkages to healthcare, counseling, Early Childhood Intervention and other resources

There are no limits to caring.®

Housing Placement

VOA case managers and counselors develop discharge plans which include housing

Housing options: Network of providers in area for specialized care In-House services through Homeless Prevention and Rapid RE-

Housing (HPRP) or Shelter Plus Care (SPC)

Coordinated discharge planning with correctional, CPS staff

VOA Staff visits potential sites, assists in transportation for client visits, follows-up on needed paperwork and eligibility requirements, advocates for client

There are no limits to caring.®

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Three-year program through Federal

Stimulus, rolling over to HUD Up to 18 months of rental assistance and

case management services Goal is that at end of assistance, client is

stable enough to remain in same apartment

There are no limits to caring.®

Shelter Plus Care

Sponsor Based program Permanent Housing Clients must have been

homeless prior to jail or treatment

Clients must have documented disability such as chronic substance abuse or mental illness

1:1 match supportive services

There are no limits to caring.®

Relationships Are Key

VOA developed relationship with SPC landlord to accept women who otherwise would not have been accepted due to background

VOA has regular meetings with apartment management staff and landlord

Apt staff knows they can call VOA if issues arise

VOA helps clients advocate with apt staff Now have designated apts for HPRP as well

There are no limits to caring.®

Employment and Financial Support

VOA is a United Way THRIVE partner – collaboration to support family economic stability

Career development and coaching including dedicated Employment Support Specialist (ESS), job training programs, job placement

In-house optometric tech and commercial drivers license training programs

Beginning March 2011, VOA will be a LISC Financial Opportunity Center – addition of financial coaching, benefits counseling and financial education services

There are no limits to caring.®

Outcomes

81% graduated successfully from the McGovern program

77% of our homeless women transitioned into permanent housing

83% of mothers with children demonstrated healthier and more effective parenting skills

88% of homeless clients left our program with some form of financial resources, versus 0% having financial resources at entrance

There are no limits to caring.®

Tying it all Together

“Sylvia” entered McGovern and began receiving substance abuse treatment and support services

After one month, CPS agreed for her children to join her in the program

Upon graduation she entered an apartment through HPRP assistance

She continued outpatient treatment and aftercare services with VOA

She entered VOA optometric tech training program and found employment

There are no limits to caring.®

Questions?

Contact Nadine Scamp, LMSW, Gulf Coast Region COO at nscamp@voatx.org or 713-460-0781

Visit our website at www.voatx.org