FOCUS –
The Passages
Program is a collaboration of seven local homeless services providers The
Salvation Army, Caritas,
Foundation
for the Homeless, LifeWorks, SafePlace, Foundation
Communities and Family Connections)) funded primarily by HUD Supportive
Housing grants.8 full-time case managers from the collaboration provide case management
for clients of the Passages Program. The
program assists families and individuals in need of services to end their
homelessness and progress towards self-sufficiency. Clients in the program work
to increase their skills and income, achieve personal goals, and address mental
health/chemical dependency issues.
PROGRAM – The program offers long-term comprehensive case
management (6-18 months) and long-term follow-up for clients who seek to obtain
permanent housing. Clients participate
in the program through referrals from the partner agencies and work to become
linked to mainstream community resources. Individuals and families who participate in the program work with their
case manager to develop a self-sufficiency plan and are expected to continue
this work for at least six months. Passages individuals and families are eligible to receive 12-18 months
of Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) through the Austin Housing Authority
each year.
HOW DOES THE PASSAGES COLLABORATION WORK
· Sharing funding resources maximizes efficiency
and avoids duplication
· Case management coordination creates a stronger
safety net of services
· Working together we can leverage partnerships
that benefit our homeless Clients
OUTREACH AND REFERRAL – for the Passages Program occur at
the following sites:
· Salvation Army Social Services Center/Emergency
Shelter
· Austin Shelter for Women and Children
· SafePlace Emergency Shelter for Victims of
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
· LifeWorks Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter,
and Mothers and Babies Program
· Foundation for the Homeless Interfaith
Hospitality Network
· Caritas of Austin
· Foundation Communities – Single Room Occupancy
Programs
CHILDCARE VOUCHER PROGRAM
· 6-9 months of licensed care
· Graduated co-pay
· Support for parents who are in job search,
working or in training
· Assistance with long-term child care
planning/referral to mainstream resources
DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
· Housing start up costs: security deposits,
utility deposits, 1st month rent.
· Job training/employment related needs.
· Legal documents related to obtaining ID’s and
documenting housing eligibility (i.e.: Criminal history background checks).
· Other expenses related to self-sufficiency up to a specific cap based on family
size.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
(Tenant Based Rental Assistance) – 75 Units
· Coordinated pre-screening of Passages
participants for referral to Housing Authority of the City of Austin.
· 12-18 Months of subsidized private market
housing (Clients pays 30% of adjusted gross income).
· Long-term plan to obtain and maintain permanent
housing.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
· Long-term case management
· Direct financial assistance
· Employment
· Education
· Job Training
· Life Skills
· Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling
· Child and Family Therapy
· Child Care Voucher Program
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING
· Baseline mental health assessment and substance
abuse assessment for adult participants (offered by Licensed Professional
Counselor/Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor - LCDC).
· Short-term counseling by referral from case
management
· Child and Family Counseling by referral from
case management (offered by Licensed Master Social Worker - LMSW).
LIFESKILLS TRAINING TOPICS
· Financial stability training series – Job
Readiness, Money Management, Renter’s Right and Responsibilities
· Wellness and Coping Skills training series –
Addiction Awareness, Healthy Relationships, Self-Esteem, The Art of Making
Choices, Stress Management, Assertiveness, Goal Setting and Parenting, Coping
with the Holidays.
· Progress evaluated through pre-and post tests.