Supportive Housing Practices Working with Women and Families Who Have Multiple Barriers to Stability
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 [email protected] or 713-460-0781
Visit our website at www.voatx.org