Overview of Proposed I nitiative

1. Overview of Proposed Initiative Katie Kitchin Community Alliance for the Homeless February 29, 2012

2. Presentation Overview • Context: Action Plan and Emergency Housing Partnership • Background on the Denver model • Integration into Memphis “system” • Expectations of partnering congregations • Timeline/logistic for project initiation

3. Setting the Context • What we know about homeless families in Memphis and nationally: • Same/similar prevalence rates of serious mental illness and substance abuse • Same/similar rates of education; very high rate of trauma = severe physical or sexual abuse • Major differences: extreme poverty, younger, and more likely to be pregnant

4. What the Evidence Tells Us • Evidence: diminishing returns from longer stays in transitional housing and shelter • Evidence: no long-term impact of high service intensity • Evidence: experience of homelessness = school delays, repeat grades, health/behavior problems • Prevention/Rapid Rehousing model (short term housing subsidy plus home-based supports) has biggest impact in reducing homelessness among families.

5. The Action Plan and Emergency Housing Partnership • In October 2009, the Emergency Housing Partnership was formed with 17 public/private agencies. • The results have been very strong: nearly 4,000 people who would have been homeless have avoided placement. • Family homelessness fell despite record high unemployment, poverty, and high rate of single adult homelessness. • Initiative is stimulus funded; expires in June 2012. • Action Plan calls for continuation and strengthening of the strategy.

6. The Denver Model 325 congregations provided financial and mentoring support to an average of 3 families over 6 years. Mayor Hickenlooper formed the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative in 2005; called on every congregation in Denver to end homelessness for one family. Goal: 1,000 families in 10 years Result: 1,000 families mentored in 6 years!

7. Mentoring Goals SMART Goal Setting Financial Management Relationship and Encouragement Structured Engagement Primary focus is on relationship and encouragement. Strength-based and spiritual encouragement is provided.

8. Content Meeting One: Get Acquainted Meeting Two: Financial Guidebook Meeting Three: Family Goal Meeting Four: Work Goal Meeting Five: Personal Goal Meeting Six: Review Progress Meeting Seven: Celebration

9. Integration into the System of Care

10. Expectations of Congregations • Financial support for one family (annually) = $2,000. ($1,500 for the rental costs and $500 for training, materials, and program support.) • Designation of a lead contact and identification of 2-6 congregants to serve as mentors.

11. Expectations of Mentors • Participate in 90 minute training session. • Meet 7 times over 4-6 months; additional mentoring/relationship building during months 7-12. • Provide respectful guidance to the family and support their efforts to increase self-sufficiency with tools provided. • Report back to CAFTH on the family’s stability after the final meeting.

12. Identification and Screening of Families • All families are screened by central intake at MIFA including criminal histories and child welfare involvement. • Families are referred to congregations based on 1) zip code proximity to encourage community-based relationships, and 2) level of need. • All families “opt in” to the project and are able to express preference concerning religious affiliation/denomination.

13. Timeline and Logistics • Goal: 100 faith-based partners by July 2012 • Staff of CAFTH begins training in May • Quarterly progress reports; annual meeting

14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rlVvg7C-6k&feature=relmfu