Housing plus services: supporting vulnerable families in permanent housing

The importance of integrating services with housing to help low-income families achieve stability is gaining recognition. The variations in types of existing housing and service initiatives have produced a complex language with multiple meanings and overlapping definitions. The National Low Income Housing Coalition proposes the umbrella term housing plus services to refer to these programs. Following a review of the literature on the relationship of housing to child well-being, the article discusses and illustrates the National Low Income Housing Coalition's principles for and typology of housing plus services.     

Broadening opportunities for job seekers with disabilities: strategies to effectively provide assistive technology in One-Stop centers

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 mandates that partners in the One-Stop Career Center (One-Stop) system be prepared to serve a diverse customer base, including job seekers with disabilities. For many such individuals, effective service delivery depends in part on the existence of appropriate and efficient assistive technology (AT) options. This article presents challenges experienced by One-Stop partners related to AT provision as well as strategies for providing effective AT support. Findings from case study research conducted in several One-Stops across the country revealed three strategies that have enhanced employment services and addressed barriers. These are (a) an accurate assessment of AT needs, (b) staff training and practice using the equipment, and (c) the ability to make the most of limited financial resources. Implications for the most efficient ways to provide AT options are discussed.     

Integrating services for older adults in housing settings

This paper draws on the work of the Housing Plus Services committee of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (to which the authors belong), constituted in 2000. The Committee is comprised of a diverse group of practitioners, administrators, policy analysts, professors, and researchers who share a commitment to the integration of services in housing settings. Committee members present their work, including the typology and principles discussed in this paper, at national conferences (NLIHC, 2005) and contribute to publications on the web (Housing Plus Services Committee, 2005a) and in print (Cohen, Mulroy, Tull, White, & Crowley, 2004), in order to disseminate the work of the NLIHC in this area and engage in dialogue with service providers, housing developers, and policy makers.     

Assessing the Effect of an Electronic Decision Support System on Children's Mental Health Service Outcomes

This study examined the effect of clinician adoption on an agency built Electronic Discussion Support System on the reduction of youth risk factors. This exploratory study is the first of its kind to assess an agency-built Electronic Decision Support Systems (EDSS) within a children's mental health program to see how it is utilized in a treatment as usual climate. The results showed a significant difference between the reduction-in-risk rating for two of the domains of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (Parental Capability and Environment). Yet findings showed that only a few staff utilized the EDSS regularly. Based on the findings, it appears there was a break down in the implementation process. Although the agency had the best of intentions by building the Dashboard, without proper emphasis on implementation their goal was never fully actualized.     

The Effectiveness of an Attachment-focused Treatment Model in a Therapeutic Preschool for Abused Children

Child maltreatment is associated with detrimental developmental effects. In view of the fact that child maltreatment typically occurs within the context of a caretaking relationship, attachment theory can give us insight into the nature of difficulties experienced by survivors. Therapeutic preschool has been found effective in addressing developmental problems in abused children. This study examines the effectiveness of an attachment-based therapeutic preschool for maltreated children. Means tests indicate that, at the time of discharge, the children being served had made significant overall developmental gains as well as significant gains in the personal–social and adaptive domains of development.