Transcript Stepping Stone - The Planning Council

transitional Living Program
“Stepping Stone”
A program designed to aid youth in their quest for independence.
Kimberly Wood
Stepping Stone Transitional Living Program Director
Centre County Youth Service Bureau
transitional Living Program
• 8 bed residential facility for youth ages 16-21
•4 beds reserved for homeless youth
•4 beds for youth in the care of a placing agency
• Off-site apartment for 2 homeless youth
• Connected to an SOP and BCP through our larger
agency
• Non-Residential services available
• Funded through placement per diems, FYSB TLP
grant, HUD McKinney-Vento SHP grant, and
CDBG funding.
Accessing Shelter &
Services
• Outreach done weekly by TLP staff
• Application/Interview process to determine need
and eligibility (can happen immediately)
• 24 hour staff coverage allows any staff to take a
referral at any time
• Only barriers to entry – capacity, safety,
voluntary
• Emergency bed located in off-site apartment
• Can access non-residential services, or possibly
HPRP services while on waiting list
• Client assistance dollars can be used for
rent/utility stipends
First 30 Days of Residency
• Initial Treatment Plan
– Free time/curfew, employment, education, etc.
• Assessments completed & Client Story created
–
–
–
–
Substance Abuse Assessment
Self Assessment
Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment
Behavior and Emotional Rating Scale Assessment
• Intake Assignments
– Staff Introductions
– Know Your Community
– Meeting with Program Director
• Individual Service Plan (run similar to FGDM)
Residency Requirements
• Must be pursuing education, if you have not
already graduated
• Must work 15 hours each week (if in school), 35
hours each week (if out of school)
• Meet with 2-4 staff weekly to complete individual
life skill lessons
• Must pay 25% of paychecks toward rent (up to
$70 or $140 per month) and 30% into a savings
account
• Attend weekly life skill workshops
Aftercare
• Complete 1 month, 6 month, and 1 year
follow-ups with alumni
• Alumni eligible for aftercare services
indefinitely
• Can provide some financial assistance
• Alumni and current residents can access
our educational endowment
Outcomes
(clients who exited in 2010)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
100%
85%
92%
82%
82%
77%
62%
47%
6 Month
1 Year
Education
Perm.
No
Employed
Housing Homeless
Episode
Outcomes
(clients who exited in 2010)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
94%
92%
94%
85%
88%
100%
92%
77%
76%
69%
6 Month
1 Year
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
No Illegal
Drugs
No Alcohol No Police
No
Not Crime
Pregnancy
Victim
Outcomes
(clients who exited in 2011)
• 30 youth served residentially
– 19 males
– 11 females
• 86% of residential youth who resided at TLP
in 2011 for over 30 days, were successful in
obtaining employment during their
residency.
• 85% of youth who exited the program in 2011
were successful in moving out independently
or reuniting with family
Biggest Obstacles
*other than funding!
• Lack of employment opportunities that pay living
wage or offer full time hours
• Lack of affordable housing
• Lack of transportation
• Landlord resistance to renting to our kids,
requiring a co-signer, etc.
• Communication with youth after a referral or
after discharge (no phone, phone numbers
constantly change, move around a lot)
• “Aging Out” youth
Questions?
?????
Contact Information:
Kimberly Wood
[email protected]
Stepping Stone Transitional Living Program
334 South Burrowes Street
State College, PA 16801
(814) 234-2632