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Family Strengthening Program (FSP)
"Ho'oikaika Na 'Ohana"
[[ To Strengthen The Family ]]
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Family
feeding the goats together. |
The Family Strengthening Program is a farm-based residential program for
families who are in transition to self-sufficiency. The program offers short
term housing and support services for families at risk of homelessness
due to domestic violence and other economic challenges. The program is
designed to unite and strengthen the family unit, therefore keeping the
family intact and preventing the need for foster care while the family focuses on
their goal to become self-sufficient.
Families participate in weekly
classes and hands-on activities in the home and on the farm that teach healthy
values, parenting and an array of life skills that promote healthy attitudes and
behaviors required for achieving self -sufficiency. Families also
learn to behave as good stewards and tenants while living on a farm as they
participate in on-going yard maintenance, gardening and animal husbandry
activities.
In addition, families learn to support
each other while
living on The Maui Farm campus as they would in a healthy neighborhood. This
involves growing food together, caring for animals, and other hands-on
activities that build a sense of unity and community among its residents.
Eligibility Criteria
1) Family is homeless or is at risk
of homelessness.
2) Family meets income guidelines for
the federal HOME Program.
3) Family can live in a neighborhood
with other families with no threat to the safety and well being of all
individuals and families residing at TMF, for example, the family is intact and
substance free.
4) Family legally owns a safe and
reliable vehicle and can provide for its own transportation needs.
5) The program’s outcomes, services
and activities are appropriate in providing for the family’s needs in
transitioning to affordable housing.
6) Family has reviewed and agrees to
follow the FSP Policies and Procedures and the Rental Agreement.
7) Program has available space for a
family in one of its homes.
Referral Process
Families are referred by Women Helping Women or the Family Life Center
for
participation in the Family Strengthening Program. Our partner agency contacts TMF, supports the family in
completing the program application and sends the application to TMF by fax and
mails the original copy of the application. TMF program assistant contacts the
family by phone to arrange for a set time to meet and interview the family
within 3-5 days of receiving the application.
Screening Process
The program reviews the written application, interviews the family to ensure that the family understands
the program’s policies, rules and procedures, and confirms that the family meets the program’s
eligibility criteria. The family also completes Income Verification forms and submits all essential documents
required to verify their eligibility for the Family Strengthening Program.
Admissions Process
When the family meets the eligibility criteria for the Family Strengthening Program, the family
will be contacted by program staff when there is an available space and invited
to attend an Orientation Meeting that happens a day or two before the
family actually moves in their belongings.
The following process
is conducted at
the Orientation Meeting:
The FSP policy and procedures that clarify the program’s expectations of the family
is reviewed and agreed upon once again during the Orientation Meeting.
All essential program forms and rental agreement documents are reviewed and signed.
The family provides the security deposit and first month’s rent
to TMF.
The program’s scheduled dates and times that services and activities are to be
delivered is agreed upon with the family.
Program staff does a walk-through
of the home and yard to conduct an inventory of
household items and lawn equipment available for the family’s use.
The program clearly
communicates the need for the family to observe the condition of
the home, garage and yard and be responsible for keeping to that standard of
care. (home and yard maintenance skill training will be provided to the
families)
The family agrees to weekly inspections of their home and yard by program staff.
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