Support & Resources for Resident Clients
It is apparent that most of our resident clients come to us with emotional “baggage” that has interfered with their life success. Even without some of the negative experiences these individuals have had, raising a family can be difficult in these days and times.
When you suffer from growing up in hard circumstances such as poverty and/or are raised by hard people, it is almost impossible to change the patterns that are most likely generational. This is your inheritance from your parents and possibly your grandparents. After all, they are our first role models so this is how we learn to “do life”!
Thus, you make choices with unavoidable consequences that are almost impossible to reverse. You are deeper in the hole; you lose all hope. So at Family Renew we give a hand up, something many of our client residents have never experienced when growing up or in their adult lives. Even with our extended hands, unfortunately, some of this “baggage” continues to influence those we are trying to help.
Old habits die hard! Even when you know they don’t work well, they provide a familiar pattern that gives the illusion of hope and support. So we offer more than one hand that goes beyond our existing program.
Most of the families we serve by virtue of their homelessness have experienced some level of trauma. Most of FRC’s program staff have received training in Trauma Informed Care. Although this does not equip them to treat the effects of trauma it allows them to better recognize it and determined the best course of action to combat it. FRC brokers mental health services for their clients with other local providers. For many years, FRC did not receive any training offered through the company. Working collaboratively with the Early Learning Coalition, DCF Training and other social service organizations, FRC staff now have an exhaustive access to training. The COVID crisis has slowed down our efforts but these mandatory trainings are slowly coming back on line.
Program Staff also meets virtually monthly to discuss difficult cases. They are discussed at length and referrals are suggested and follow-up maintained by our Program Staff. As the Executive Director I serve as the clinical supervisor and oversee difficult clients.
What local support agencies do we use to help our resident clients become successful?
Employment/Job Training
Needs
FRC publishes a biweekly Employment Listing of available local jobs. These job lists are also shared with other local social service agencies such as The Salvation Army, Neighborhood Center and HUM/Hope Place.
We work closely with Career Source and Goodwill when clients are looking for employment. Both agencies offer job seeking skill development and other job seeking support.
FRC works very closely with Daytona State College for individuals looking for job training. They offer many trainings for new job skill development both on an occupational training track as well as College Course Training. In the State of Florida homeless adults can access most of the trainings free of tuition. As the Executive Director I serve on DSC’s Center for Women and Men and help facilitate our clients through these programs. I have also been able to help get most expenses paid for not subject to the Florida Homeless Waiver.
Financial Resources
(Planning & Wealth Management)
All of our clients receive basic budgeting and financial skill development from our Program Staff. They usually start with “Envelope Budgeting” and then they grow into more sophisticated budget skills as time goes on.
Many of our clients when they first come to us are heavily into Pay Day Loans. We have encountered clients owing in the thousands as a result of such unscrupulous lenders.
We work to get our clients connected with local banks and credit unions to help them reestablish their banking history and credit. We have worked with local credit unions like Launch and Vystar which will help or clients with a locked bank account and small manageable credit. This helps clients reestablish and build their Credit Score. Most of our families have 200 to 300 Credit Score when they first come to us. They need to raise their Credit Score to at least 500 to qualify to rent an apartment. Most of our clients with a lot of help are able to sufficiently raise their scores to an acceptable level.
Recently, we are starting to explore a relationship with a couple of agencies and mortgage brokers to help our clients explore the potential of home ownership. There are significant Federal funds available for families who have a history of homelessness. The key is for them to develop a sustainable Credit Score and Skills to maintain a mortgage and home ownership. It is looking very promising moving forward with this.
Educational Needs: Adults, Child Development & Parenting Education
Prior to COVID, the Early Learning Coalition and the Volusia County Cooperative Extension were offering parenting training. Two of our mental health providers also offer “Targeted Case Management” services when deemed appropriate. These services provide one on one training for parents on how to help raise their kids.
Child Care
Child Care is an integral part of FRC’s protocols especially since all parents must be employed. The Early Learning Coalition is an unbelievable partner with helping families access licensed child care, helping them pay for Child Care, and teaching families on how to select a good Child Care Provider. We also receive funding assistance from a couple of our Foundations when ELC is not able to cover all of the child care costs.
GED
All adults who participate in FRC must have a high school diploma or GED. Those who do not are required to attend a certified program in order to sit for the GED exam. Most of our GED students attend DSC’s Adult Education Program and participate in their GED preparation trainings. All students take a TABE test to determine which subjects they need remedial work in then they are attend training and then retested. Once they are ready they can sit for the GED Exam. Our clients have a decent chance of securing their GED.
Most of the cost for the GED preparation is covered by the Florida Homeless Waiver. However, testing other than the TABE test is not free. Routinely DSC covers the cost from some student funds they have.
Higher Education
Adults who have a desire to pursue college classes may do so through the Florida Homeless Waiver at Daytona State College. They must continue to work as part of their FRC protocol. They must take a readiness test and pursue and work with a Student Academic Advisor to choose an academic pathway.
As long as they remain at FRC they qualify for the Florida Homeless Waiver. Unfortunately, the Waiver does not cover the cost of books. Because of the reputation of FRC and the long standing relationship with the Executive Director we have been able to borrow many textbooks. Several Department Chairs have graciously loaned our clients books while attending their classes.
FRC has had students attending Business Classes, Nursing Classes, and Accounting Classes.
DSC also provides Occupational Training for clients wishing to participate in their Adult Education Program. Students must take the TABE Test and apply to the particular training program they are interested in. These programs are not covered by the Florida Homeless Waiver. Fortunately, because of FRC’s reputation scholarship funds are often given to several of our students. We also have also have some Foundation donated funds to help send a client for a training program. These trainings include Nurse Assistant, HVAC Certification, CNC Operator Training and Plumbing Apprenticeship.
Children Tutoring for Advancement to Grade Level
Fortunately, Volusia County School District is very supportive of FRC’s students and their special needs. They have a designated Homeless Liaison who is both an advocate and is able to connect our students to needed resources including tutoring and mental health services. Recently, VCS has been providing twice weekly on-site tutoring at our Holly Hill Campus.
Developmentally Disabled/Special Needs/Gifted
FRC has a great relationship with such local organizations as Easter Seals. If we have a child in need of testing, we make a referral and the child is tested and an IEP or Individualized Education Plan is developed. They may continue to provide services or they can be referred to Volusia County Schools with their revised IEP.
Mental/Emotional Health Needs?
At any time during a client’s time with us it may be determined that someone in or the entire family could benefit from mental health counseling. We currently work with three agencies that will come in and evaluate our clients upon request. Depending on the results of the evaluation services can be set up. Typically, all services provided are provided on-site of the campus the client is living in. The cost for the services is typically covered by Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance or they receive charity care benefits. These three groups will determine payment method and assist the client file the appropriate application for assistance. This is a limited service as often these agencies do not have adequate capacity to assist a client in need.
Clients in need of acute or emergency mental health services are referred to the Suicide Prevention Hotline and/or to the Crisis Line for SMA or 911. Most of our Program Staff have been trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid. As Executive Director I also served for several years as the Suicide Prevention Counselor for Daytona State College and am available for consultations.
Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency (Self/Partner)
FRC is an alcohol and drug free environment. Clients are screened for substance use and must be clean before entering the program. Drug use is not permitted in our program because it interferes with the intense case management protocols and is not a moral issue. In order for our clients to adhere to the rigorous case management and financial management they cannot rely on alcohol/drugs as a coping strategy. Clients in need of coping skills are referred to local mental health services.
Clients who test positive for drugs or alcohol are evaluated by the Program Manager in concert with the Executive Director. Clients who test positive are evaluated to determine if they need to go for further evaluation to see if they require rehab. If it appears Rehab is required clients are referred to SMA for their Substance Rehabilitation Program. If not, clients shall follow FRC’s Relapse Policy and are required to attend 90 groups in 90 days and their status is evaluated after completion. Clients who have tested positive will be routinely tested on a more regular basis following their Relapse Policy. Failure to follow the Relapse Policy or another Positive Substance Screen will result in immediate discharge from FRC’s Program.
Over the past year FRC has considered discharging the offending parent if the significant other would like to stay with their children. Although it is not our desire to split up a family we were concerned about the safety of the children if the other parent is willing to do the program by themselves. We have only done this twice and offered that if the offending parent was willing to go to Rehab and did well and their Drug Counselor said they could be evaluated to return to our program we would consider it. In both cases the addiction was too strong and the offending parent never returned. In both cases the family that remained did well and told us their family life greatly improved as a result of the separation.
Domestic Violence (Victim/Perpetrator)
Most of our families come to us after a history of Domestic Violence. With the Assistance of Dr. Mark Harter, FRC Board Member the Program Staff have received some sensitivity sessions to help recognize and assist with clients coming out of Domestic Violence. We also work with the Domestic Abuse Council and when necessary and make referrals for services for our clients.
In the event that we witness a DV episode, as mandatory reporters we are required by law to report them. Typically, our first step is to call the local police and they always respond to a FRC 911 call. Then if incident involves children, which it typically the case, DCF is contacted and follows up with an Investigator. All of FRC Program and Administrative Staff attend DCF Training annually and documentation is included in their Personnel File.
Sexual Abuse (Victim/Perpetrator)
By nature of the services FRC provides all staff (with the exception of Thrift Store Staff) are mandatory reporters. Following the same guidelines as for DV we adhere to the same protocols. Any active sexual abuse or any suspicion of a current act is immediately reported to either 911 or DCF.
Cases of past sexual abuse involving clients, when we know it occurred is evaluated by the Program Manager in concert with the Executive Director and a determination is made. Typically, past history is discovered during a background check and clients are precluded from admission into our program with any sexual crimes or history.
PTSD
For the clients we serve PTSD is only becoming a discernable barrier for our families. Homelessness including Trauma Informed Care lends itself to the potential of PTSD. Any client who exhibits any behavior or discloses a history of PTSD is referred to mental health services as listed above. Any client who has a crisis is immediately referred to the SMA Crisis Hotline or 911 for immediate intervention.