Transcript ECS FAST Housing The Keys to Success Episcopal Community Services (ECS) 225 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 National Alliance to End Homelessness Annual Conference Services.

ECS FAST Housing
The Keys to Success
Episcopal Community Services (ECS)
225 South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
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 Program
-Referral Source
Department of
Human
Services (DHS)
- refer families in need of
housing for reunification
- funding case management
services for families
Episcopal Community Services
(ECS)
Service Provider
- Case Management
Community
Behavioral
Health (CBH)
Chronically Homeless
Unit
Columbus Property Management
1260 Housing Development
Corporation
(1260 HDC)
- Property Management
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 past is the past.
Learn from it and move on.
Don’t dwell on it.
They already know what
it is that they need.
We don’t need to tell them.
Our job is to enhance and build on
the strengths they already have
~ not give them new ones.
The family is the expert
on their own life.
We are to facilitate
their learning
and growth.
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
Families possibly
participate
in interviews of
staff for FAST
Use coaching
model
when working
with families
Peer Mentoring
Program
These activities
achieve:
Accountability for families
among staff, partners and,
above all, each other
Monthly
interest groups
developed by
families
Families participate
in staff
planning meetings
Family Activities
Committee
Volunteer
opportunities
for teens
Long term engagement / ownership
Program and services accountable to 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. 2006.
Family Permanent Supportive Housing. Newton
Centre, MA.
 After the first year 92-97% of families remain in housing
National Alliance to End Homelessness. 2006.
Promising Strategies to End Family Homelessness.
Washington, DC.
 The annual cost of an emergency shelter bed is
approximately $8,067 more than the average annual cost
of a Section 8 housing voucher.
 The 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
Families are overloaded
with services
Undiagnosed mental
health conditions
Fighting the generations of
homelessness:
How do you get the
family to unpack?
Preconceived ideas
of service delivery
Prevention versus crisis mode
Training and
recruiting staff
Contact Information
Shana Mitchell, MSW, LSW
FAST Housing Supervisor
215-351-1428
[email protected]
Episcopal Community Services (ECS)
225 South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106