Mom_with_girl--Credit_Ren_Haoyuan--National_Center_on_Family_Homelessness

Strengthening at-risk and homeless young mothers and children

This project aims to improve the housing, health, and development of young at-risk and homeless mothers and children. It works by better integrating the systems serving the housing and child development needs of homeless families through four innovative, locally-based collaborations:

  • Family Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), Chicago, Illinois
  • Strengthening Young Families, Antelope Valley, California
  • Hope & Home, Pomona, California
  • STRong: Strengthening Our New Generation, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The initiative is managed by The Coordinating Center made up of The National Center on Family Homelessness, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Zero to Three. The Coordinating Center provides extensive training and technical assistance to the four local collaborations to increase their capacity and promote the delivery of high-quality services. The Center also oversees a thorough evaluation to disseminate lessons learned and best practices. The Hilton Foundation's $7.5 million grant is being matched by local funds of more than $3.5 million.

Results

Since the start of the initiative in 2006, the four collaborations have served over 350 families and 600 children. The Coordinating Center has provided Technical Assistance to the collaborations through webinars, meetings and conferences. Collaborating Partners have participated in a nine part child development series and have been working with the center on implementing Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in their programs. Representatives from the four sites have participated in knowledge sharing through their own meetings as well as with other organizations by presenting at national conferences.

Resources