Room for 2

1. Room for 2 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Youth

2. HOMESPACE • A Supervised Independent Living Program for youth ages 17-21 that are in the care and custody of the department of social services. • The housing/apartment community has 12 townhomes with 2-3 bedrooms each. • Each unit also has a private kitchen, bathroom, dining room and living room. • In addition there are shared laundry facilities, a monitored courtyard and a community room. • The facility has 24 hour on site staffing.

3. SECOND CHANCE • A group home for youth ages 14-21 years old that are in the care and custody of the department of social services. • Residents must be pregnant and/or parenting. • A congregate-style traditional dwelling with eight bedrooms and four bathrooms. • The home also has a community living room, kitchen, dining room, indoor children’s playroom and fully fenced backyard playground provided by Fisher-Price. • The group home is staffed 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

4. Program Staffing

5. “A Youth’s Perspective” – what was your first impression of the program?

6. “A Youth’s Perspective” – how has Homespace been helpful to you as you prepare to live on your own?

7. “A Youth’s Perspective” “Staff helped me with getting a job and fixing my attitude” “I love that y’all take care of us” “I love having my own space to be able to relax with my son” “I like feeling safe and that my son doesn’t live like I used to” “I like having someone to talk to when I feel alone, upset or sad” “I like the support that staff and case planners give to me” “I like having a place I can call home”

8. What are other needs of pregnant and parenting youth????

9. “A Youth’s Perspective” – what are some the needs that you have had as a young parent?

10. Common Needs Positive Supports Childcare Education Support Parenting Skills

11. Meeting the Need of Childcare • Collaboration with Early Head Start. • Offering internal childcare so residents can attend Independent Living Groups and other workshops. • On-site childcare at group home – used on a minimal basis for SILP residents as well (emergencies, job training, etc.). • Use of Childcare Coalition for daycare listings in the area that provide the type of daycare needed by the resident. • Childcare “co-op” at Homespace – residents are encouraged to assist in the Childcare Center during group and also to assist other residents with occasional childcare needs. • Payment for childcare through Preventive Daycare.

12. Parent Educator on-site 4nights per week. Routines in the group home including the “3 B’s” – Bath, Book and Bed. Accepting residents who are working on reunification efforts with their children. Collaborations with “home-based” services. Doula available for pregnant residents. Use of Ages and Stages Developmental Assessment Tool. Resources on-siteregarding healthy pregnancies, childbirth, etc. Use of the Child Activity Center for 1:1 parenting support. Meeting the Need of Parenting Skills

13. Linkage to Early Head Start, Buffalo Prenatal Network, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), EPIC (Every Parent Influences Children), etc. Age appropriate and family friendly activities including Disney on Ice, Elmo, trips to the Zoo, park, etc. Support/monitoring of mother’s with “high risk” of CPS involvement including feeding schedules, increased supervision, etc. Meeting the Need of Parenting Skills Continued…

14. Peer mentoring program. Adult mentoring program. Staff link. Use of permanency pacts. Tutoring Program. Collaboration with YIP (Youth in Progress). Collaboration with Independence Bound for educational and vocational support. Collaboration with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). “Graduated” residents invited to speak at groups. Aftercare services offered. Linkage with CATS IL Services. Allowing sibling overnight visits up to 5 nights per month (SILP). Meeting the Need of Positive Supports

15. Meeting the Need of Educational Support HOPE Center: On-Site tutoring services with childcare. Linkage to Independence Bound – assistance with college applications and financial aid paperwork. Referrals to Erie 1 BOCES, Americorp, Youth Build and other vocational training programs. Weekly IL groups and an on-site IL Coordinator. Use of Casey Life Skills Assessment – helps identify where support is needed.

16. “A Youth Perspective” – what services have you taken advantage of?

17. SEFCU – local credit union that all residents are linked with. Adolescent Clinic – health care that is focused on teen health and infant/toddler health. Ford Friendship Van – provided so residents can participate in group outings. Child and Adolescent Treatment Services (CATS) – agency that provides counseling and IL groups. Linen Pantry – free household items. Rich Products – local agency that supports the program with donations and financial support. Wegmans – cooking and nutrition classes. Belmont Housing – assistance with finding housing, fixing credit reports, tenant rights, etc. CASH Program – free tax preparation. We Must Work Together – Outside Supports and Collaborations

18. Food Pantries – bi-weekly trips to help residents “stretch” their food budgets. Harvest House – free children’s clothing and infant/toddler items such as cribs, strollers, etc. WIC – supplemental food program for pregnant and parenting woman. MAD DADS – local group for fathers; offer workshops, referrals and support. Buffalo Driving School – free 5 hour course and driver’s education lessons. Planned Parenthood – workshops/groups on healthy relationships, sexuality, birth control, etc. FOY (Focus on Youth) – Speak Out and Taste of Independence. Adult Learning Center – GED Preparation Classes. Early Intervention. MANY, MANY, MANY MORE… Outside Supports and Collaborations Continued…

19. What services are available in your community????

20. Staff are trained using a trauma informed/CPS model of care. Residents are able to transition from group home to SILP as their skills increase. The program is near public transportation, hospitals, daycares, etc. to ensure access to services. Staff are trained in adult and infant/toddler CPR. Child-safe home and community spaces. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention WITHOUT the use of physical restraints is taught. Routines and activities are child-centered/child-friendly including ensuring gatherings include age appropriate toys, food, etc. A Different Approach… Developing a Mother-Baby Program

21. Case Planners ensure thatresidents are filing for child support, custody, visitation as needed. Independent Living Skills (IL) assessments include parenting skills. Both programs are supervised 24/7 to ensure safety at all times. Room checks at night to ensure safety of children – no co-sleeping. Collaborations with parent-focused agencies. “Baby-Buck” Program – allows residents to “purchase” needed items for their child without money All rooms/apartments have appropriate infant/toddler furniture. Savings program at the SILP allows residents to prepare for independent living. A Different Approach… Developing a Mother-Baby Program

22. “A Youth Perspective”- what is different about Homespace than other programs you may have been in?

23. Strengths of the Program – “A Youth’s Perspective” Food Games and Outings Help with Kids Staff Support Safety

24. That was a lot… Any Questions/Comments

25. If you would like to contact us… LiaFegley – Case Planner Second Chance lia.fegley@dfa.state.ny.us Jessica Tricarico – IL Coordinator jessica.tricarico@dfa.state.ny.us Rebecca Sahr – Case Planner Homespace rebecca.sahr@dfa.state.ny.us Julie Bentz – Childcare Supervisor julie.bentz@dfa.state.ny.us Office # (716) 881-4600 Address – 1030 Ellicott St. Buffalo, NY 14209