Retooling Transitional Housing: A Community Story Marla Brown, MPA Director, Families In Transition Agape Child & Family Services, Inc. 111 Racine Street Memphis, TN 38115 901-323-3600 www.AgapeMeansLove.org

To be a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated THE MISSION To be a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to providing children and families with healthy homes. THE VISION Agape will serve children, families and communities by sharing God’s love throughout the Mid-South. With excellence, we will connect people to God’s mission by: uniting children with loving families, strengthening homes and communities with intentional relationships, and linking servants to service. Approved by Agape Board of Directors January 25, 2013

Background Christian-based non-profit, serving the Greater Memphis (TN) community since 1970 Served over 10,000 children and families with community-based, counseling and adoption/foster care services. Began our Families in Transition (FIT) transitional housing model in 2002 – initially serving 6 homeless, pregnant women and their children. Grown to now simultaneously serve 50 homeless pregnant and parenting families, some of whom are fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Transition in Place model began in May 2010.

Sharing Homes: Where We Started 6 Midtown Church of Christ Units

Sharing Homes: Where We Are Now 54 units in two apartment communities

Sharing Homes: Where We Are Now

Share Homes Memphis has a significant challenge with homelessness. Through Families in Transition (FIT), we are investing in homeless women and children. Agape is the only agency in Memphis that provides a long-term solution for homeless, pregnant and parenting women and their children. Chronic homelessness is often the public face of homelessness. "Chronic" has a specific definition, involving either long-term and/or repeated bouts of homelessness coupled with disability (physical or mental). People experiencing chronic homelessness often end up living in the streets or shelters.

Speak to some of the challenges with Homelessness in Memphis and what drove the process In 2010, there were roughly 1,600 people sleeping on the streets in Memphis on any given day. 2/3 of those identified were women and children, many of them fleeing Domestic violence situations. Thus, both the Memphis and Shelby county Mayors worked in concert to develop a team of committed citizens and organizations that reviewed and developed timelines and funding strategies. That group eventually became the CAFTH under the direction of Katie Kitchin. Under Katie’s leadership a Memphis Consortium of Care has been developed in which all participating agencies, evidence based strategies were implements to track, monitor and assist homeless families and individuals so that we as a WHOLE can determine how effective the approaches are. Although the numbers have not officially been published for our annual Point in Time count, there was a significant reduction in homelessness this year.

Traditional Transitional Housing Model Transition-in-Place Model 7 Year Average Permanent Housing % 2003-2011 74% Transition-in-Place Model Permanent Housing % 2011-2012 90 %

Transitional Housing vs. Transition-in-Place Transitional Housing: Moving homelessness individuals and families into permanent housing within a reasonable amount of time (up-to 24 months). Transition-in-Place (TIP): Homeless families can remain in the scattered-site apartment complex, if not the same apartment unit, at conclusion of services as participants in a transitional housing program. Agape’s place-based strategy also provides for ongoing support, after “leaving” the TIP program.

FIT Transition - in - Place Model WRAP-AROUND SERVICES SHEPHERDING TEACHING ADULT TO ADULT COACHING MENTORING SUPPORT ACCOUNTABILITY GOAL SETTING

Powerlines Community Network is… The mission of Powerlines Community Network is… …a place-based strategy to connect at-risk neighborhoods with the resources they need and want for children and families to be successful Speak to How is fit in community plan

SERVING YOUTH, FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES Over 150 Church Partners 10+ Education/ Tutoring/Homework Assistance Partners 100% Major Economic Development Partners 7 Safety Partners Memphis Police Dept. Safeways Family Safety Center Neighborhood Watch Community Pride Memphis Fire 7 Apartment Partners 100% Area Elementary thru High School Partners 15 Corporations/ Businesses 10+ Health/ Mental Health Partners 50+ Major Non-Profits Partners 1,800 Volunteer Partners SERVING YOUTH, FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES

Overall Transition-in-Place Challenges/Opportunities Challenge: Changing Paradigm for Board, Staff, Participants and Supporters Challenge: Participant behaviors can jeopardize apartment owner willingness to continue investment in process. Opportunity: A more Efficient and Effective Service Delivery model Opportunity: Funding and Agency Capacity Speak to outcomes achieved in the new model

A Client’s Perspective “Why would I want to leave my (traditional transitional) housing after 2 years when I finally have people around me that care about me, my kids are in school and don’t have to move, and I feel stable?”

Sharing Homes: Grandmother with Custody of 5 Grandchildren Successful Program Completion

Sharing Homes: Single Mother of Four Successful Program Completion

Challenges/Changes for Staff Move to a lower barrier model – client self determination No longer have staff residing at apartments/campus Clients will stay, in general, less than our average of 12 months…moving to 3-6 months, while continuing to support via the place-based model Serious challenges for the staff as we moved to the low barrier model- staff were used to TELLING program participants what to-do. YET trough collaboration and training from organizations such as the Corporation for Supportive Housing, new learning took place. Staff had to recognize the journey is the participants, we are here to support not (in effect), handicap. Adult to adult premise as discussed on previous slide. Your success is in your hands!

Next Steps for Agape through the Transition in Place Model Using model for similar populations with specific focus areas Strategizing in Memphis to move model to become more scalable (within apartment communities served via Powerlines Community Network)

Steps to consider “Transition in Place” model Do what you are doing now Contemplate your mission and strategic plan Look at your data and the needs in your community Talk with your decision makers and funders Your Board HUD Address barriers Permanent structures/buildings Anonymity, Safety and Security Process the above information with your staff

What Agape FIT staff have to say “One of the things that has assisted the women with feeling comfortable with their transition out of the program is the after-care services they can take advantage of. We have women coming back to us to give donated goods, request job listings, and even take advantage of goods that we supplied while in the program. “  

Sharing Homes, Sharing Family, Sharing Community, Sharing Life