Episode 29: Housing's Critical Connection to Child Welfare - Part 1

Children who lack stable and permanent housing are at greater risk of neglect or being placed in out-of-home care than children who don't. Child welfare professionals are challenged in working with families experiencing homelessness; meeting the requirements of a case plan can be more difficult for families struggling to obtain safe and affordable housing.

Recognizing the barriers to stable housing and having strong relationships with community housing partners can help families sustain long-term housing, which can provide a foundation for stable employment and lead to reunification.

'Housing’s Critical Connection to Child Welfare' – Part 1 explores how the San Francisco Human Services Agency partnered with the San Francisco Housing Authority and the Homeless Prenatal Program to help families obtain Family Unification Program vouchers and locate affordable housing in the Bay Area. The project, originally called "Families Moving Forward," was developed through Partnerships to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Supportive Housing for Families in the Child Welfare System grant from the Children’s Bureau.

This episode focuses on how child welfare and housing specialists identify families and work in tandem to navigate the housing system and complete their child welfare case plans. Part 2 discusses how to create effective working relationships, share decisions, and partner with local housing authorities.

This episode, 'Housing’s Critical Connection to Child Welfare' – Part 1, features insight and perspective from the following guests:

• Kylie Woodall, lead housing specialist, Homeless Prenatal Program(opens in new window)
• Jocelyn Everroad, San Francisco Human Service Agency

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