Programs: Bethany house services (bhs) provides emergency shelter for families living on the streets, in their cars or abandoned buildings, and helps them achieve stable housing and income. The shelter meets each family's immediate needs for safety, housing, food and other necessities and provides a secure environment for parents to plan for their futures. The principles of trauma informed care guide all interactions with mothers and children to provide psychological as well as physical support. In 2017, bethany house sheltered 253 families, 1,030 individuals, 709 were children. Bhs social workers help parents identify the causes of their homelessness and provide support to overcome barriers to housing. These case managers assist families to develop a budget and a plan to establish employment or benefits; guide the search for housing; and establish connections with community resources. Mental health assessment is provided by an on-site mental health clinician. Every parent who enters shelter has experienced trauma and stress; all are referred to the mental health clinician for support. She listens, counsels, conducts assessments and refers clients to community mental health care providers for follow-up if needed. Bhs provides life skills education to all adults while they are in shelter. The topics cover information vital to the successful transition of families from homelessness to stable housing. Life skills classes teach parents the basics of independent living. Budgeting, finding a job, effective parenting, education resources, nutrition, housekeeping, tenant rights/responsibilities and other vital topics are presented. Children's programming addresses the multigenerational aspect of family homelessness by providing parents with the skills for "positive parenting and by teaching the children in shelter to make healthy life choices. These high-risk children learn the importance of education, nutrition, health, self-esteem and non-violent conflict resolution. Children experiencing signs of traumatic stress or other issues are referred to the children's home therapists who are on-site at bethany house two days per week. Aftercare provides a safety net for families who have left shelter but experience an emergency situation that threatens their housing stability. No matter how long it has been since the family experienced homelessness, aftercare provides landlord mediation, emergency financial assistance, connections to relevant community agencies - whatever it takes for the family to keep their home and prevent another episode of homelessness.
rapid re-housing provides financial assistance and services to quickly re-house and stabilize those families who are experiencing homelessness and living in an emergency shelter. The program provides case management, help finding affordable housing, short-term or medium-term rental assistance, credit counseling, security or utility deposits, utility payments and moving expenses. Case management services are provided by the housing social workers who are also trained in trauma informed care and follow the families after they move from shelter. Housing clients now receive diagnostic assessments and ongoing counseling from a new on-site mental health collaboration. For high-risk families, the child/parent coordinator follows the children in housing to ensure that they are enrolled in an appropriate school and are attending classes regularly. They also receive school supplies, uniforms and other clothing as needed. Two of bhs's three rrh programs ranked in the top 10% of all continuum of care housing programs in hamilton county. In 2017, 229 families were served, 861 individuals, 590 were children.
since 2000, bethany house services has been the hud applicant and lead agency for funding of case management services for the homeless families in cincinnati. The level of collaboration among the four agencies within the family housing partnership (fhp) is unique in cincinnati's social services arena, and today the partnership is stronger than ever. In 2017, the fhp agencies, bethany house, interfaith hospitality network, salvation army and ywca greater cincinnati, made great strides in the implementation of solutions for family homelessness (s4fh), the community-wide plan to make family homelessness rare, brief and a one-time event. In addition, an evidence-based trauma-informed care training began for all employees of the fhp agencies. 2017 planning for new and enhanced services for homeless families resulted in the rollout of two new components on january 1, 2018--a uniform, best practice aftercare program, including staffing, and an expansion of emergency assistance for homeless families at all four agencies. The s4fh children and youth task force, consisting of over 30 professionals representing over 15 organizations, continues to meet monthly to develop strategy and programming, create system change, and network with the sole focus of improving services for children and youth experiencing homelessness. This community partnership has resulted in improvements in child care placement, school enrollment and transportation for cincinnati's homeless children.
shelter diversion identifies immediate permanent housing and provides case management and rental assistance for families at imminent risk of homelessness. Shelter diversion is more cost-effective than entering an emergency shelter, plus the family avoids the trauma of homelessness. In 2017, bhs served 47 families, 180 individuals, 129 of them children. 84% of the families increased their self sufficiency scores during 3-6 months of program participation. 74% of families exiting the program increased their income. Permanent supportive housing (psh) combines non-time-limited rental assistance with wrap-around supportive services for people with complex needs related to physical or mental health, developmental disabilities or substance use. Since the program began on july 1, 2017, permanent supportive housing served 25 families, 100 individuals, 69 of them children. Bethany homes is a 24-unit apartment building for economically challenged individuals and families, most of them whom are supported by a single female working provider. Every family who comes into the shelter needs permanent, safe, affordable housing. Renovations of bethany homes continued in 2017; many apartments got new hot water heaters, windows, refrigerators, stoves and flooring in the kitchen and bathrooms. Residents benefited from regular food donations, christmas gifts, summer cookouts and a variety of activities for the children.
