Description
This program targets aged out of foster youth who reach the age of 18 while still in the care of CPS. These youth have “aged-out” of care and are now left to support themselves. The services we provide this group include: living assistance (housing, food, clothing), case management (needs evaluation, obtaining documents, life planning), employment services (job readiness, job skills training, local merchant internships), educational services (GED tutoring, college/trade school counseling, application assistance), transportation assistance (transport to job/school, driver’s license, auto procurement), and individual development (life skills classes, mentoring, spiritual development). The primary goal of these services is to equip aged-out youth to become productive, independent adults.
Population Served
At-Risk Populations / Homeless / Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Program Long-Term Success
We have served 45 youth since this program began in late 2011. Every single youth who comes through our program has left with a driver's license. Many are on their way to truly living independent.
Program Short-Term Success
We are serving 27 clients right now, and 25 of those are currently employed. This year, we have helped 10 youth earn their driver's license. Also, in the past year, 10 of our youth either graduated high school or received a GED.
Program Success Monitored ByHelpOrganizations describe the tools used to measure or track program impact.
The United Way based its support on the outcome measures and priorities for financial independence in our program that matched those of the Montgomery County United Way program. Clients are drug tested to remain in the program. Case workers meet with each clients weekly to monitor success and problems. Classes for GED or job training are held at the Resource Center so that clients have ready access to the information. Counselors trained in abuse and crisis counseling at available at the Resource Center and all new clients must meet with a counselor. The sessions are available when clients need to meet for assistance. A staff member heads the education committee, including college enrollment and assistance. Another staff meets weekly with each client to discuss budget problems. A car committee assists to teach the clients to drive and purchase an appropriate car. We continually survey the clients as to useful programs and Living Skills classes such as banking that are essential to becoming independent.
Examples of Program SuccessHelpOrganization's site specific examples of changes in clients' behaviors or testimonies of client's changes to demonstrate program success.
While many of the clients try the program and cannot adhere to the rules and discipline, they return to try again. We maintain at least a 90% rate of clients either full time in school or in a job. That rate continues in Living Skills classes, learning to drive, and compliance with budget and banking education. Those who remain in the program 12-24 months are able to exit with a job and a car and find housing on their own.
Description
The purpose of this program is to assist kinship caregivers, who provide care for related children that have been removed from their natural parents as a result of abuse and/or neglect. Rather than placing these kids in a typical foster home, they place them into the home of someone who is related to or knows the children. These caregivers do not receive any regular assistance from state agencies to offset the cost of caring for the related children. For these caregivers, Angel Reach provides services and assistance including: children’s clothing, car seats, bedroom furniture, food assistance, home repairs, transportation assistance, parent support groups, and enriching children’s events.
Population Served
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years) / At-Risk Populations / Families
Program Success Monitored ByHelpOrganizations describe the tools used to measure or track program impact.
The kinship families use our new special counseling facilities for the children and as families, use the Food Pantry with over 400 individuals served per month, use the furniture and clothing assistance continuously, are helped with home remodels to allow adoption, are given adoption assistance legally and financially, and are assisted with new cars, bank account/loans, and property tax payments to keep the kinship intact. Hundreds attend the Easter party and are served with summer camp tuition, Christmas presents, and back to school supplies.
Description
This program was initiated to serve the specific needs of transitional living program youth who were pregnant or have young children. The statistics show that 70% of all young women who age out of foster care are pregnant within a year of exiting. Through special housing, this program strives to support young women with prenatal care and child care classes. When the children are several months old, we support the mothers as they go back to work part time or pursue education while they learn to be single mothers.
Population Served
At-Risk Populations / Homeless / Families
Program Success Monitored ByHelpOrganizations describe the tools used to measure or track program impact.
Young women give birth to healthy infants and learn skills to be good mothers and have well paying careers to care for their family.These women are also judged by the Transitional Living Program parameters.
Description
This program was added to the repertoire to give services to the homeless youth who had not been in foster care. Youth are homeless for many reasons, yet need the same services provided to youth in the transitional living program. These youth are called Day Clients as they find housing on their own and come to the Resource Center to take a shower, receive case management, and receive hot meals. Many live in shelters or tents in the woods and represent a group of youth who need further services. We are also establishing subsidized apartments to assist all youth clients.
Population Served
At-Risk Populations / Homeless / Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent
Program Success Monitored ByHelpOrganizations describe the tools used to measure or track program impact.
We see clients on a daily basis, probably drawn by the hot meals, but are able to talk and counsel them about programs that will benefit their situations. If needed we can provide to Salvation Army a voucher to assist them off the street for a short time. Case managers provide clean clothes, hygiene kits, and information about food and shelter.
Examples of Program SuccessHelpOrganization's site specific examples of changes in clients' behaviors or testimonies of client's changes to demonstrate program success.
Clients return daily and use the computers to find housing and job opportunities.Several clients have moved into the Transitional Living Program. After being on their own, they recognize the benefits of the program and are quite successful.