Bringing Families Home

Bringing FamiliesTogether

Final Project

Author: Anna Maguire & Treena Johnson

San Joaquin County Human Services Department has been allocated, and will be accepting, $1,091,204 from the California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) fiscal year 2022-23

Bringing Families Home

Identifying

What it is

BFH program participants are identified through the County’s Child Welfare Program.

The Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program offers financial assistance and housing-related wraparound supportive services

Program Eligibilty

BFH eligibility is broadly defined as families or individuals who meet all three of the following conditions:

1. Receive child welfare services at the time eligibility is determined
2. Are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in a living situation that cannot accommodate the child or multiple children in the home, including individuals who have not received an eviction notice
3. Voluntarily agree to participate in the program.

Program Design & Benefits

The BFH core service components are detailed below and used to support the delivery of evidence-based and promising housing models such as rapid re-housing, supportive housing, or homelessness prevention services. The following service types may overlap and may not be considered mutually exclusive

3. Housing-Related Direct Financial Assistance

1. Housing-Related Case Management

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4. Housing Stabilization

2. Housing Navigation

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Collaboration Requirements

CDSS requires:

BFH grantees to collaborate and coordinate with the greater housing and homelessness response system, including participation in the local homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) and local Coordinated Entry System (CES)

Click the links for more information regarding BFH and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and/or local Coordinated Entry System

BFH services:

Link

Must be in coordination with other services provided by child welfare services or tribes, family resource centers, family courts, and other service providers dedicated to the stability and well-being of the family

Link

0Referral Process

Effective May 15, 2023, Mary Magdalene Community Services will begin to accept BFH referrals. In order to make a referral, social workers will need to:

Complete

Refer

Social Worker completes CPS 24, SJC referral form and CPS 25, SJC Program Enrollment Form, then submits to Anna Maguire for approval

Referral received by community partner Mary Magdalene of Stockton

Approve

Assist

Once approved, Information is entered into Coordinated Entry System (CES)

Mary Magdalene of Stockton contacts family to provide assistance

Referral Prioritization

To enhance referral prioritization:

Children's services staff will review potential referrals alongside the three mandated eligibility questions on the BFH referral form (CPS 24). Participants must meet one of the following conditions for BFH service referral:

1. Actively working on reunification within a 3-month timeframe.
2. Facing a housing crisis increasing the risk of child(ren) being placed in out-of-home care.
3. Not actively participating in an inpatient residential treatment program.

Supervisory Approval for Specific Cases

Families meeting defined criteria will require staff approval from the Supervisor and Division Chief before BFH program referral:

• Working on reunification while facing a housing crisis but not in proximity to reuniting with their child(ren).

New Guidelines:

• Social Workers (SW) will review the attached BFH Program Enrollment Form (CPS 25) with participants, emphasizing its voluntary nature and expectations.
• Participants cannot damage property, as it may lead to removal from the BFH program.
• Participants should notify MMCS if they no longer have a CPS case.
• Their signature on the form indicates agreement with these requirements.
• When submitting the BFH referral form (CPS 24), also make sure to include the signed CPS 25 form.
• Both forms need to be sent together to BFHreferrals@sjgov.org when making a referral to BFH.

Service Timelines:

• Intake: Participants have 30 days from MMCS contact to complete an intake appointmwent.
• Evaluation: After three months, a mandatory evaluation of their circumstances will determine ongoing needs.

Active Services for Temporary Shelter Residents:

Consistent Contact: Participants in temporary motel/hotel shelters must maintain regular contact. One week of no contact will prompt CPS Social Worker notification, with a one-week grace period.

Ending Services

• When a child welfare case closes without children returning home or reunification services are terminated, participants must transition out of the BFH program, with a two-week transition period.
• Participants who haven't secured permanent housing will no longer be eligible for BFH funds but will be connected with community resources.
• If participants have no children placed with them, and they cause property damage, they will be placed out of the BFH program.
• If participants cause property damage, and they have children placed with them, the case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• When the Social Worker closes a case, they must email BFHreferrals@sjgov.org to inform them of the closure.

These updates aim to enhance the BFH program;s effective and responsible management, focusing on family housing stability.

Thank You

Any questions?amaguire@sjgov.org