Agape’s Families in Transition (FIT)

Transition-in- Place Model

David Jordan, MSSWExecutive Director

901.323.3600 (Memphis)731.668.9698 (Jackson)

www.AgapeMeansLove.org

Background• Agape is a Christian-based non-profit, serving the

Greater Memphis (TN) community since 1970• FY2011 Agape serve nearly 10,000 children and

families with community-based and adoption/foster care programming.

• Agape began our Families in Transition (FIT) transitional housing model in 2002 – initially serving 6 homeless, pregnant women and their children.

• FIT has grown to now serve 48 homeless pregnant and parenting families at a time

• Transition in Place model began being initiated in May 2010.

Transitional Housing: Moving homelessness individuals and families into permanent housing within a reasonable amount of time (up-to 24 months).

Transition-in-Place (TIP): Homeless families can remain in the scattered-site apartment complex, if not the same apartment unit, at conclusion of services as participants in a transitional housing program. Agape’s place-based strategy also provides for ongoing support, after “leaving” the TIP program.

Transitional Housing vs. Transition-in-Place

7 Year Average Permanent Housing %

2003-2010 63%

Transition-in-Place ModelPermanent Housing

%

2010-2011 (20 months)

90

Traditional Transitional Housing Model

Bent Tree Apartments

The mission of

Powerlines Community Network is…

…a place-based strategy to connect at-risk neighborhoods

with the resources they need and want for children and families to be successful

Bent Tree Apt. Hope Center

Homework Assistance Lab

Overall Transition-in-Place Challenges/Opportunities

• Changing Paradigm for Board, Staff, Participants and Supporters

• Participant behaviors can jeopardizing apartment owner willingness to continue investment in process.

• A more Efficient and Effective Service Delivery model

• Funding and Agency Capacity

Challenges/changes for Staff• Move to a lower barrier model – client self determination

• No longer have staff residing at apartments/campus

• Clients will stay, in general, less than our average of 12 months…moving to 3-6 months, while continuing to support via the place-based model

• Continued training of a new model – no longer an “adult to child” model, but an “adult to adult” model

• Training staff with Vandenberg Wrap Around model

My Board’s Questions

• Why change?

• What will this mean relative to our “maternity home licensure”?

• What are the risk issues in a less controlled community?

• Funding implications?

• Are we saying now “anything goes” and clients can do anything they want in our program?

What Agape FIT staff have to say

“One of the things that has assisted the women with feeling comfortable with their transition out of the program is the after-care services they can take advantage of. We have women coming back to us to give donated goods, request job listings, and even take advantage of goods that we supplied while in the program. “

A client’s Perspectives

“Mr. David, why would I want to leave my (traditional transitional) housing after 2 years when I finally have people around me that care about me, my kids are in school and don’t have to move, and I feel stable?”

Steps to consider “Transition in Place” model

1. Do what you are doing now2. Contemplate your mission and strategic plan3. Look at your data and the needs in your community4. Talk with your decision makers and funders

a. Your Boardb. HUD

5. Process the above information, and their experiences, with your staff

6. Address barriersa. Permanent structures/buildings

Next Steps for Agape through the Transition in Place Model

• By this summer, will have moved other 2 campus settings into a scattered site apartment complex for TIP services – total of 48 families to be served

• Using model for similar populations with specific focus areas– DOJ-OVW funding to use TIP model for homeless

families fleeing from domestic violence– Strategizing in Memphis to move model to become

more scalable (within apartment communities served via Powerlines Community Network)

THE MISSION

To be a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to providing children and families with healthy homes.

THE VISION

By 2015 AGAPE will be the premier voice and resource for children, adults, and families, annually serving more than 50,000 people throughout the Mid-South.  We will be a catalyst for Christ-centered services, education, and advocacy, setting the standard for excellence and effectiveness in preserving and enhancing relationships, transforming lives and building loving community for those we serve.

Vision Approved by Agape Board of DirectorsMarch 23, 2009

David JordanExecutive Director

901.323.3600 (Memphis)731.668.9698 (Jackson)

www.AgapeMeansLove.org