EYHC 2011: A Step Ahead Beginning with the End in Mind
30
A Step Ahead: Beginning with the End in Mind Melbourne Citymission’s Foyer Plus Programs – The Best Response to Youth Homelessness
-
Upload
yfoundations -
Category
Health & Medicine
-
view
816 -
download
1
description
(Home & Place) Melbourne Citymission initiated Victoria's first Foyer model in 2004. MCM now manages three Foyer like programs including the newly opened Precinct with an onsite school. The facilitators of this session explained why Melbourne Citymission's Foyer Program is one model that can help end youth homelessness. This workshop was facilitated by Mandy Baxter and Lisa O'Brien from Melbourne Citymission.
Transcript of EYHC 2011: A Step Ahead Beginning with the End in Mind
A Step Ahead: Beginning with the End in
MindMelbourne Citymission’s Foyer Plus Programs – The Best Response to Youth Homelessness
FOYER PLUS MODELS
Precinct model 6 apartments, located in Fitzroy North)
High Density model Lion Garden (8 apartments, located in CBD) Ladder (12 apartments, located in
Collingwood)
Neighbourhood model 6 dispersed transitional properties located in
Inner North and Inner South
PARTNERSHIPS
HISTORY
Step Ahead program was the first Foyer like model of its kind in Victoria
Step Ahead began in 2004 under the name Youth Transition Model- included Lion Garden and Neighbourhood model in 2007 the program received recurrent funding from the Department of Human Services and was renamed the Step Ahead program
Ladder began in 2007- partnership with AFL Players Association
Youth Precinct opened in 2010/2011
WHO WE WORK WITH:
Aged 16-25 Male and Female At risk of homelessness or dislocated from
mainstream supports Engaged in some kind of Education,
Employment or Training; or motivated to reengage with these
WHAT WE OFFER
Fully furnished, self contained supported housing for 2-3 years
Intensive holistic casework support
Early intervention Links to Education,
Employment and/or Training
WHAT WE OFFER (continued)
Living Skills Program Community connections Mentoring program (Ladder) After hours On Call service Up to 6 months After care
Young people, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and Minister for Sport and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
Mark Arbib and mentors
AIMS
Support a transition from dependence to independence
Offer long term stability and security- provides platform to explore EET options
Provide opportunity for participation in project development
Providing empowerment and encouraging responsibility
Improve employability Improve quality of life and connections to
natural networks
REFERRALS
Vacancy will be listed on the Opening Doors resource register as ‘transitional support’
Referrals accepted through any ‘open door’ in Victoria (except for Precinct- only North West region). Access points fax through IAP form to the Foyer Plus team
The Foyer Plus team reviews suitability of referrals. The Foyer Plus team interviews suitable applicants Applicants who are selected are notified by phone
and sign up time is arranged. We will also notify the relevant ‘open door’ and support worker if appropriate
Homelessness PathwaysInto
HomelessnessThrough
Homelessness
Out of Homelessness
education
Mental health
Drug & alcohol
Return home
Change in family structure
Family reconciliation
Child protection
Justice
SOME THINKING....LEARNINGS
Shift from individualised outcome to ‘whole of person’ packaged support
Shift from fragmented & silo approached service delivery to a connected framework that mirrored lives of the people we work with
Several funding streams ‘Partner with’ rather than a mutual agreement Outcomes focus rather than throughput Strategic planning to commit to ‘providing the best
response to homelessness’ Service Integration & cross sector relationships key Facilities and Location/s How do we think differently about the business of the
business
BUT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT….
Youth rights based approach - can narrow options Focused on facilitating access to accommodation
– rarely involve consideration of other elements eg health, D & A, EET
Parameters, boundaries and funding requirements Shift in policy and practice – let’s move to true
mainstream If we are unable to deliver then who can The lived experience of homelessness for young
people– needs to be validated, acknowledged and legitimised, time & space
WORKING TOWARDS BEST PRACTICE / OUTCOMES? WE THINK SO
The Package: ▪ Long term stable accommodation ▪ Intensive case management support▪ EET packaged support▪ Living skills/Mentoring
The Model: Precinct model – multiple service providers and partners, funding streams, visiting
services – on one site
Density model – close proximity to services, less services onsite but stand alone
Neighbourhood model – immersed in community, reflects natural networks to community, friends, family, local support, capacity to seek out support when required
OUTCOMES
About half the participants were well protected against homelessness.
Ten participants were protected against homelessness.
Four participants were vulnerable to homelessness.
Recent research led by Associate Professor Dr Marty Grace at Victoria University on the Step Ahead Model found:
OUTCOMES
The combination of accommodation and support made it possible for young people to pursue their EET goals
Program expectations helped improve motivation
80% had completed Year 12, 37% completed post school qualifications
WHERE TO NEXT: SOME THINKING
Transportability of model Design Who is the client/cohort? Linked evidence to outcomes Cost effective analysis
CONTACT US
Mandy Baxter: [email protected] 03 9680 8257
Lisa O’[email protected] 03 9680 8217
Step Ahead Research Linkhttp://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/Latest-News/Research-launched-to-help-prevent-youth-homelessness
