Housing & Supportive Services

Case Management

All clients in our housing programs receive comprehensive case management services including:

Mainstream Benefits & Community Resources: Assisting client with applying for and continuing mainstream benefits as needed – such as local DSS, SSI/SSD, WIC, etc. Regularly accompanies clients to appointments and follows up with documentation, advocacy and general case management. Additionally, connecting clients with any community resources available to assist them towards moving to independent living. Seeking out and arranging workshops to be presented to the clients in the shelter on topics relevant to life skills, employment, parenting, financial management, etc.

Education & Employment: Assisting clients with identifying goals regarding education and employment and developing plan for accomplishing goals including referrals and assistance with applying to schools, tutoring services, vocational training programs, employment assistance programs, job readiness programs, etc. This may be High School, GED preparation classes, College, Business School, or a more specific vocational training program. Tutoring and other classes are offered as needs become apparent.

When educational goals have been reached the young mother must seek full-time employment in order to prepare for independent living. The Social Work staff works with the resident and various employment assistance programs to help the resident through this process.

Child Care: Provides verbal and written guidance on and assistance with accessing safe and appropriate child care, including referrals to the local child care council and experienced providers in the community and provision of paperwork needed to obtain child care assistance.

MOMMAS House is also currently working on resuming the provision of on-site child care in our residences.

Housing: Assists clients in identifying obstacles to client obtaining permanent housing – including financial resources, lack of independent living skills, etc. Identifying steps needed to overcome obstacles. Works with client on increasing financial resources, budgeting, credit building, etc. Providing Housing Search Guidance verbally and in writing to assist client in their search. Exploring potential support systems that client could seek permanent housing with. Providing client all necessary documents to obtaining assistance with permanent housing – such as DSS Housing Search Form, Offering Letter, etc. Referrals to and assistance with applying to eligible housing assistance programs such as SPA, Section 8, etc.

Medical, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment: Ensuring clients have active health insurance coverage and assistance applying for such. Referrals to local medical providers and pediatricians as well as informing clients of clinics and hospitals in the local area. Assessing clients for the need for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, including screening new mothers for post-partum depression and for suicidal risk. Referrals to appropriate treatment providers in the local community. Assistance with arranging transportation to appointments. Coordination with the client’s treatment providers to ensure the client is getting the help they need and continuing that support in the shelter. Providing short term crisis intervention, counseling and mediation of conflicts as they arise.

Legal Assistance: Referrals for legal assistance for any of the client’s legal involvements. Direct assistance with Family Court – Paternity, Custody and Child Support Petitions. Guidance, advocacy and support of client throughout proceedings.