ECS FAST Housing The Keys to Success Episcopal Community Services (ECS) 225 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA National Alliance to End Homelessness Annual Conference Services to Stabilize Housing, July 18, 2006, 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM

The Partnerships Office of Emergency Shelter and Services (OESS) Oversees ProgramOversees Program Referral SourceReferral Source Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Service Provider - Case Management Columbus Property Management 1260 Housing Development Corporation (1260 HDC) - Property Management Department of Human Services (DHS) - refer families in need of housing for reunification - funding case management services for families CommunityBehavioral Health (CBH) Chronically Homeless Unit

How the families were chosen for FAST Housing Must meet city definition of “chronically homeless family” ~ 12 consecutive months or two episodes of homelessness in the last five years while currently living in emergency shelter Mental health diagnosis within the family Large family ~ must qualify for a 3-4 bedroom unit Child welfare involvement (children in placement, receiving in-home services) Not qualified, accepted, or wanted in any other housing program – family too large, “not ready”, drug involved, not enough clean time etc.

How the Process Worked: From Shelter to Housing Housing Application from Office of Emergency Shelter and Services (OESS) Joint Interview with Service and Housing Provider (ECS and 1260 Housing Development Corporation) Placed in scattered site housing within 30 days

“I am not the expert on your life…” The family is the expert on their own life. They already know what it is that they need. We don’t need to tell them. We are to facilitate their learning and growth. The past is the past. Learn from it and move on. Don’t dwell on it. Our job is to enhance and build on the strengths they already have ~ not give them new ones.

Solution Based Services The Miracle Question:  Suppose that you go to bed and when you wake up a miracle has happened. Only you don’t know that it happened because you were asleep. What difference will you notice tomorrow morning that will tell you that the miracle has happened? What else will you notice? Where do you see yourself next year at this time? What would you like to see changed in your life? What will be different in your life when your problems are solved? What is your expectations of your problem?  “We strive to be expert at exploring the clients’ frames of reference and identifying those perceptions that clients can use to create more satisfying lives.” – (p. 19) De Jong, Peter and Berg, Insoo Kim. (2002). Interviewing for Solutions. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Rich Interventions Family Based Services Family Activities Committee Volunteeropportunities for teens Peer Mentoring Program Families participate in staff planning meetings Families possibly participate in interviews of staff for FAST Long term engagement / ownership Program and services accountable to families Accountability for families among staff, partners and, above all, each other These activities achieve: Use coaching model when working with families Monthly interest groups developed by families

In-Home Services Weekly home visits by case manager, increase/decrease with need (program currently has three case managers for 28 families)  Budgeting  Parenting  Housekeeping  Nutrition  Health (Mental / Physical)  Family planning  ANYTHING that can put the family at risk for reentering the shelter system  Service plans, monthly reviews

Integration of Services Monthly Meetings Monthly interest groups (book club, cooking, knitting, computer classes, exercise/nutrition) “…a hoop I want to jump through” – ‘G’ Family Use all services within the same agency when possible  Computer Skills  Literacy  Life Skills enhancement  Child Welfare (In-home services)  Parenting workshops  Teen Activities

Research Based National Center on Family Homelessness Family Permanent Supportive Housing. Housing. Newton Centre, MA.  After  After the first year 92-97% of families remain in housing National Alliance to End Homelessness Promising Strategies to End Family Homelessness. Washington, DC.  The  The annual cost of an emergency shelter bed is approximately $8,067 more than the average annual cost of a Section 8 housing voucher. cost of placing two children from a family experiencing homelessness in foster care is about $34,000 per year. The cost of a housing voucher is around $6,805.

Outcome Focused The families WILL succeed; what needs to be done in order for that to happen Families WILL maintain safe housing by paying monthly rent, utilities and preventing property damage Families WILL have adequate food, clothing and utilities in home Families served do not have abuse/ neglect report Families will Stay Together.

Challenges to Services Preconceived ideas of service delivery Families are overloaded with services Undiagnosed mental health conditions Training and recruiting staff Fighting the generations of homelessness: How do you get the family to unpack? Prevention versus crisis mode

Contact Information Shana Mitchell, MSW, LSW FAST Housing Supervisor Episcopal Community Services (ECS) 225 South 3 rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106