2006-331C. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach Samaritan Center for homeless families C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (Entire Section C I — 6, not to exceed two es 1. List Priority Needs area addressed. The promotion & development of family values and family structure. 2. Briefly describe program activities including location of services. The program activities and services are provided through a Four Tiered Level Program that has been designed to assist residents in moving progressively forward in their life skills development. Very specific objective skills criteria are associated with each level. The goal is for the resident to complete each level before moving to the next. Adequate completion of all four levels maximizes the chances for successful independent community living after leaving our program. It is expected that most will enter the top Level IV approximately 8 months into the program. Included in each training level are such skill areas as: responsible parenting, conflict resolution, money management, organizational training, domestic skills, role modeling, short and long goal planning. Services are provided at the Samaritan Center. 3. Briefly describe how your program addresses the stated need/problem. Describe how your program follows a recognized "best practice" (see definition on page 12 of the Instructions) and provide evidence that indicates proposed strategies are effective with target population. Those families that come into our program and actively participate in our four-tiered level system do reduce the barriers that were described under program need and have become our best practice. Although many families are ready to leave the program while in Level 3 and are able to maintain independence, the families that remain in the program and graduate after completing Level 4 are the most successful when they resume independent living in the community. Level I is the period of adjustment requiring completion of admission packet/assignments, the completion of a short-term case plan with objectives, a family history and medical information and a completion of physicals and T.B. test. These are usually completed the first 30 days. Level II requirements are regular attendance at weekly parenting classes, regular attendance at weekly counseling sessions, attendance at weekly resident meeting that include conflict resolution, attendance at special educational opportunities, both in house and in community. In addition, they must be actively performing P.I.P. hours (Personal Inventory Program, developing and progression with long-term plans and objectives, complete a Domestic Violence evaluation, open a savings account if receiving income & engaged in employment or enrolled in educational program. Level III is the development Level with the purpose of implementation of what has been taught in Level H. The requirements include the continuation of attendance at parenting classes, the weekly counseling sessions that we have recently added as a mandatory educational opportunity. In addition, there are increased P. I.P. responsibilities and privileges. Level IV is the Maintenance Level that prepares resident family towards graduation from the Center. While in this level, they are given the opportunity to maintain their own financial record keeping and banking. They have increased leadership responsibilities, positive role modeling among peers, and special project assistance to staff. They develop with the guidance of the case manager a plan with goals and objectives for living outside the Center. In addition, they continue to attend all of the weekly classes, counseling and educational opportunities as mandated by the Center. In addition, a 24/7 staff provides direct parenting assistance, supervision and intervention. Age appropriate children participate in weekly programs covering `Health and Safety", "Self-Esteem", and "Character Values". A comprehensive After Care Program is available to all residents upon leaving Samaritan Center. To participate in our After Care Program residents must sign up either prior to departure or shortly thereafter. The After Care Contract is a commitment to the program. It requires regular follow up contacts from the resident and by our Case Management staff. These contacts allow us to know how each family is progressing, to see if they are using skills taught to them while in our 6