SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. Stating that "we are here to examine two decades of earnest labor on behalf of homeless veterans," U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Secretary Gordon Mansfield opened his keynote remarks at "Homeward Bound," the VA's Celebration of 20 Years of Community Partnership in Service to Homeless Veterans last week in San Diego. Acting Secretary Mansfield noted that the lessons of what has worked and what hasn't, informed by resources, experience, and dedication, would support VA's goal "not to manage homelessness for our veterans, but to end it . . . to end it . . . to end it." Acting Secretary Mansfield identified the measures to success in VA's mission as knowing whether a program works, whether it makes a difference in veterans' lives, and whether it breaks "the debilitating toll" of life on the streets. "The time is now . . . we are going to get it done," he said. Acting Secretary Mansfield is pictured here (right) with VA Homeless Programs Director Pete Dougherty and Paul Smits, Associate Chief Consultant, VA Homeless and Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Services.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to addressed the plenary of the conference, noted: "If good intentions, well-meaning programs, and humanitarian gestures could end homelessness, it would have been history long ago. If our primary intent is to deliver for the consumer what they want and need, namely, their homelessness ended, then we need to be open to what we're not doing, rather than being solely focused on what we are doing to the exclusion of all else. We all need to work harder to insure that homeless veterans have access to every resource available for homeless people - targeted, mainstream, entitlement, federal, state, local, public, private."

Director Mangano also stressed the importance of housing as the central antidote to homelessness: "Permanent supportive housing works for vulnerable and disabled populations. When McKinney-Vento was first passed, this technology developed in the mental health system of response was not in common use. Today communities across the country are targeting this technology to those experiencing chronic homelessness and achieving 80-85% retention rates on average." Director Mangano noted that, along with Council initiatives to ensure the presence of veterans in 10-Year Plan partnerships and his own recent challenge to YMCA housing directors to address the housing needs of veterans, he had urged greater recognition of the needs of veterans in the recent McKinney- Vento reauthorization hearings in the House. Director Mangano is pictured here.

During the conference opening, Acting Secretary Mansfield presented the VA Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service for Homeless Veterans to Gay Koerber and the VISN II and III VA Healthcare for Homeless Programs, Phyllis Smith Taylor of VBA Center in Chicago, Jewish Veterans Post 64 of Las Vegas, and a Massachusetts furniture bank.

The 20th anniversary event, with a full agenda of training and briefing sessions on data and evaluation, special populations, clinical issues and more, followed a 2-day meeting of the VA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans in San Diego, where Committee Chair George Basher, Director, New York Division of Veterans Affairs, convened members to review the Committee's annual report, current legislative proposals, and prisoner reentry initiatives focused on veterans. The Committee Report made three primary recommendations for change that they felt would, "radically improve the effort to eradicate the issue of chronic homelessness among veterans."

Key agenda items included recommendations in the areas of permanent housing for homeless veterans, use of surplus property for homeless veterans, and administrative issues in VA's Grant and Per Diem Program. The Committee also discussed OEF/OIF veterans in the homeless population, and the need and complexity of issues involving women veterans who become homeless, as well as several program areas including the Multifamily Transitional Housing Loan Guarantee program, and VHA's Mental Health Strategic Plan.

Members were briefed on local programs, including San Diego Health Care for Homeless Veterans engagement teams and other services designed to reach currently homeless veterans who are unable or unwilling to access VA Healthcare; Veterans Village of San Diego's continued expansion of transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans and the July Summit for OEF/OIF veterans held in San Diego; and Interfaith Community Services to currently homeless veterans and recently separated veterans focused on eliminating barriers to self sufficiency and employment.

Interagency Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien, official representative to the Advisory Committee, reported to members on reductions being reported in more than 30 cities in the number of street or chronically homeless people. The ten Regional Federal Interagency Councils are each creating Regional Resource Guides detailing the programs, resources and contacts each federal agency has to prevent and end homelessness, including identifying the resources for homeless veterans. At the state level, Mr. O'Brien identified government initiatives in Maine and Connecticut, and work in the New England states to convene a Regional Meeting of State Departments of VA to discuss regional wide programs, resources and best practices in preventing homelessness among veterans.

Mr. O'Brien reported to the Advisory Committee on progress in addressing the needs of veterans in 10-Year Plans now underway in more than 300 cities and counties, noting that the Council continues its engagement strategies to ensure the involvement of VA representatives and veterans service providers in 10-Year Plan committees and work groups and to encourage cost benefit analysis specifically focused on veterans. He identified the unanimous resolution of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on the needs of homeless veterans and growth of the Project Homeless Connect model as positive recent developments.

Cheryl Beversdorf, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and Vice President John Driscoll provided an overview of TA grants and initiatives including their website. TA includes brochures that offer guidance on starting a homeless veteran assistance program, and organizational management and financial management issues. NCHV offers free teleconferences throughout the year on topics ranging from program development to funding strategies.

Committee members in attendance were: Ralph Cooper, Executive Director, Veterans Benefits Clearing House, Roxbury, MA, Sam Galbreath, Principal, Sam Galbreath Associates, Oregon, Leslie Lightfoot, Executive Director, Veterans Hospice Homestead, Inc., Fitchburg, MA, Sandra Miller, Program Coordinator, LZII Transitional Residence for Veterans, Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, Philadelphia, Joseph Smith, Director Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, County of Los Angeles, CA, Kathy Spearman, President/CEO, VOA, Florida, Roosevelt Thompson, Systems Account Associate, Counsel for Early Childhood Recognition, Washington, DC, Dr. Craig Burnette, formerly VA CHALENG national coordinator, Dr. Joseph H. Autry III, Deputy Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Official for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. Ex-Officio members present were John O'Brien, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Paul Smits, Veterans Health Administration, and Joe Moran, U.S. Department of Labor.

Jim McGuire, PhD, Program Manager, Homeless Veterans and Incarcerated Veterans Program, reported that 20 of the 21 Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Specialists have been hired and are now working in all the VISN's except VISN 23. These individuals are designed to be the point of contact for incarcerated veterans' services in each area. In addition, the Incarcerated Veterans Re-Entry Guide which was developed for each state has been widely distributed and methods of updating the Guides are under discussion.

"I feel like I might have a future now." These are the words of a new enrollee in the Social Security Administration's SSI income program, after being supported in applying and achieving successful benefits determination through one of the 41 SSA- funded Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) initiative sites targeted to persons who are chronically homeless.

At its third annual HOPE conference this week in Towson, Maryland, where Acting Associate Commissioner Richard Balkus welcomed attendees, SSA officials presented preliminary results of the evaluation of the first three years of HOPE, demonstrating that people who had been homeless and living with disabilities for more than 20 years successfully received housing and services as a result of HOPE. Associate Commissioner Balkus is pictured here (center) with Council Director Mangano (left) and SSA HOPE Project Officer Ed Beane (right).

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the conference, told the partners, "The key to results in ending homelessness in ensuring access to resources for the consumer, making sure that no consumer-centric resource is ever left on the table. HOPE has shown how to partner for results that end chronic homelessness." Director Mangano especially praised the commitment to HOPE of SSA's Lead Project Officer Ed Beane.

Over 8400 consumers to date have enrolled in HOPE, which was first funded at $8 million (FY 2003) which SSA invested to establish the Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) in support of the President's Initiative to end chronic homelessness. Evaluation data show 2,659 favorable decisions for benefits from enrollees. The HOPE initiative is focused on assisting eligible, homeless individuals in applying for SSI and SSDI benefits. The 41 HOPE projects help SSA to demonstrate the effectiveness of using skilled medical and social service providers to identify and engage homeless individuals with disabilities as well as assist them with the application process.

The evaluation results also indicate HOPE programs were effective in attaining improved housing status. Changes in living situations indicate a significant difference in HOPE enrollees' situations between the day they enrolled in the HOPE program and 12 months later. Smaller percentages of enrollees were living on the streets or outdoors, or in places not meant for human habitation. In addition, fewer percentages of enrollees are living in doubled-up situations and fewer enrollees are in institutions or correctional facilities.

Federal partners who briefed attendees on resources were: Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy Melissa Pardue, Department of Housing and Urban Development Director of Community Assistance Brian Fitzmaurice, Department of Veterans Affairs Coordinator of Health Care for Homeless Veterans Patricia Lane, and Department of Labor Director of Veterans' Employment and Training Ron Drach. Dr. Dennis Culhane of the University of Pennsylvania presented data from his research. Interagency Council National Team Leader Michael German also participated.

Attendees also heard results from the Prisoner Disability Assistance Project of Wisconsin, which has focused its SSI initiative on the reentry population. Using the pre-release period to assemble medical evidence from prison records, independent and consultative exams, and other strategies, the project has achieved a 57% overall approval rate, with 65% of decisions being made within 90 days and 39% made before prison discharge. Just 16% of the enrollees recidivate, compared to 39% of inmates overall in the system.

HOPE grantees are required to provide outreach, supportive services and benefit application assistance to homeless adults and children. In addition, HOPE grantees may perform optional activities that include presumptive disability screening for supplemental security income (SSI) applicants; pre-release assistance for institutionalized individuals with disabilities; representative payee services; employment interventions and the use of electronic services to file for benefits.

Awardees are in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

HOPE initiatives are also supported by the federal SOAR initiative. Ten new states were recently selected to participate in the highly successful SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) Technical Assistance Initiative to support SSI enrollment for homeless persons with disabilities. Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia were selected in this third round of opportunity announced by the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development, joining 24 other states already participating in the initiative.

"SOAR is a consumer-focused initiative that has been proven to deliver results that will assist state and local partners in bringing resources to bear on ending homelessness for those who are most vulnerable and disabled," indicated Director Mangano. "The federal partners from HHS, HUD, and SSA who continue to collaborate and advance results-oriented strategies to increase access to income and health care are succeeding in opening doors to mainstream resources."

The SOAR initiative was an outcome from the federal interagency Policy Academies on chronic and family homelessness sponsored by a collaboration of federal agencies to help states identify and remove barriers that people experiencing homelessness face in accessing mainstream program benefits for which they qualify. SOAR is designed to increase access to SSA disability programs (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) for homeless persons with disabilities, including serious mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disorders. Already more than 4,000 front- line case managers have been trained through the SOAR initiative.

HOPE and SOAR are increasing successful enrollments for persons who are homeless - on the first application and without lengthy delays or appeals. From an initial level of 10-15% approval rates, the average is now over 60%, and the number of days to an initial SSA decision has been cut from 120 to 87 or less. The result of these targeted efforts, which reach applicants who have been homeless for an average of 33 months, reduces agency backlogs and achieves benefits for individuals, including health care and support in permanent housing.

WASHINGTON, DC. "Our goal is to serve the poor among us in the most effective way possible," stated United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and current United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Mike Leavitt, as he announced new awards from HHS' Compassion Capital Fund last week. "By supporting grass-roots organizations already serving those in need in their communities, we are increasing our ability to help more people gain control of their lives."

"The Compassion Capital Fund is the signature initiative of President Bush's community renewal agenda," said Jay Hein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "It equips the quiet heroes serving those in need in America's communities."

HHS announced awards totaling $57,840,781 to 387 faith- based and community organizations to enhance their ability to provide social services to those most in need. The awards are made up of four sets of grants. The first set of awards total $17.6 million to 37 organizations through the CCF Demonstration Program. Demonstration program grantees serve as intermediaries providing assistance to and building the capacity of smaller faith-based and community organizations in their community.

The second set of awards total $10.3 million to 219 faith- based and community organizations through the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program. These awards will increase the capacity of these organizations to support at-risk youth and persons who are homeless, strengthen marriage, and serve rural communities.

The third set of awards total $7.5 million to 31 organizations participating in the Communities Empowering Youth program. Under this program, organizations committed to combating gang activity, youth violence and child abuse and neglect will receive funds to strengthen their own capacity. They will also build the capacity of their faith-based and community partners to operate more effectively in strengthening community coalitions committed to providing positive alternatives for at-risk youth across the country.

The final set of grants disperses $22.5 million to continue CCF programs in their second year of funding. Since its inception in 2002, CCF has provided approximately $264 million to more than 4,500 organizations.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has announced employment resources and investments targeted to veterans and youth at risk.

DOL Secretary Elaine Chao announced that, in observance of Veterans Day, the Department has planned a 25-day blitz of 107 veterans' job fairs to be held in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico between October 23 and November 16.

"The United States military is the finest, most technologically advanced in the world," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) Charles S. Ciccolella. "Our nation invests billions of dollars annually to train America's armed forces, instilling and developing valuable hard skills in our service members. Equally important are the skills service members learn, such as loyalty, discipline, selflessness, leadership, and the ability to follow instructions and perform under pressure. These are all inherent to the military culture. The HireVetsFirst campaign is about increasing employer awareness of the skills veterans bring to their businesses, and to encourage employers to hire veterans, not just out of a sense of patriotism, but because it makes good sense for employers who want to grow their businesses."

A list of job fair locations by state and more information about the HireVetsFirst campaign are available at www.hirevetsfirst.gov. For more information on all the veterans' employment programs offered by VETS, visit www.dol.gov/vets.

DOL SECRETARY CHAO RECOGNIZES ROLE OF JOB CORPS IN PREPARING 'AT PROMISE' YOUTH FOR EMPLOYMENT

At the Job Corps Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. last week, DOL Secretary Elaine Chao described for attendees the "New Vision" of Job Corps, which involves all key stakeholders - center operators, federal staff, training partners including organized labor partners, and educators. Secretary Chao noted that strengthening the academic foundation of Job Corps and expanding student enrichment programs such as tutoring and mentoring, as well as strengthening the social- skills training that students receive, are part of the new strategy. A third key element is to update Job Corps training certifications to meet national standards to ensure that the skills Job Corps students gain are relevant and recognized by employers.

Job Corps is the nation's largest and oldest federally funded job training and education program for "at promise" youth ages 16 through 24. At 122 centers nationwide, the program trains approximately 60,000 youth each year in more than 100 career areas. Foster care youth are also served by the Job Corps, which can offer a residential setting for education and training for youth aging out of foster care. Aging out foster care youth are at high risk of homelessness, so the residential training opportunity of Job Corps offers an option that secures housing and continued education and training. A recruitment linkage between the Department of Health and Human Services and Job Corps has resulted in annual enrollment of about 2000 foster care youth.

WASHINGTON, DC. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary events of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the homeless programs nationwide, Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield last week announced the award of $16 million in 46 awards to create 950 beds for homeless veterans, bringing to more than 12,000 the number of VA-funded community-based beds provided by public and community non-profit and faith-based organizations in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

"For the last 20 years, VA has worked with its community partners to lift veterans out of homelessness," said Acting Secretary Mansfield. "We are making progress by expanding treatment, rehabilitation and safe transitional housing for our homeless veterans, though more remains to be done." Acting Secretary Mansfield assumed his new role on October 1, 2007, following the resignation of Secretary Jim Nicholson. As Acting Secretary, he is the U.S. government's principal advocate for veterans and directs the nation's second largest Cabinet Department, responsible for a nationwide system of health care services, benefits programs, and national cemeteries for America's veterans and dependents. A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, he previously served as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA's chief operating officer responsible for the delivery of benefits and health care earned by veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Based on VA's national estimates, progress is being made for homeless veterans. The number of homeless veterans on any night has decreased 20 percent during the last six years, and veterans as a percent of the adult homeless population has decreased 10 percent.

According to VA, its programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country providing substantial one-on-one contact with homeless people. In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatment, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance.

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news reports on two of the more than 20 Project Homeless Connect events convened during the month of October as part of the United States Interagency Council's National Project Homeless Connect. Many partner communities welcomed their homeless neighbors in conjunction with United Way Days of Caring. Project Homeless Connect events are also convening this week in Arizona, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Oregon.

DENVER, COLORADO. The Denver Broncos' Wives, Regis University, and Mile High United Way partnered last week with the City of Denver to welcome more than 800 homeless neighbors at Denver's fifth successful Project Homeless Connect, held at Invesco Field. Council Executive Director Philip Mangano, joined Mayor John Hickenlooper (pictured here) and partners for the event, which included welcome remarks from Regis University Provost Allen Service, Peggy Shanahan, Broncos Wives, and Charles Taylor, Mile High United Way.

And, just as was reported last week from nine Washington State counties that visited the Tacoma PHC event, Denver's PHC attracted both domestic and international visitors to get a hands-on experience of the innovation in the context of a results-oriented 10-Year Plan. Jamie van Leeuwen, Denver's Road Home Manager, extended hospitality to PHC delegates from Nashville, Tennessee and Calgary, Alberta for the event. In addition to their visit to PHC, delegates were welcomed to Food Bank of the Rockies for a presentation on the 10-Year Plan, visited The Crossing, a family transitional housing program based out of a rehabilitated motel, toured the Denver Rescue Mission Crossing for a briefing on the Mayor's Faith Initiative for families, and toured housing and health care programs of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

Denver's reported PHC impacts included: 265 received housing referrals and services, 409 received employment services, 81 left with job interviews scheduled, 124 left with resumes, 540 received access to benefits, 240 accessed legal services, 50 people accessed homeless court, 70 children attended the child care center, and 565 people receiving medical services, with more than 280 receiving flu shots.

CONTRA COSTA, CALIFORNIA CONDUCTS SECOND PHC EVENT

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA. Local press accounts reported it: "Immediate results were the business of the day at Contra Costa County's second annual Project Homeless Connect, held at Willow Pass Center in Concord. " More than 150 volunteers welcomed almost 400 homeless neighbors to the event. Pictured here (left to right): Cynthia Belon, Contra Costa County's Director of Homeless Programs, Interagency Council Regional Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera, Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Lieutenant Robin Heineman, Concord Police Department, and Lavonna Martin, Contra Costa County's Assistant Director of Homeless Programs.

Services available on site included IDs (more than 70 issued), benefits assistance (General Assistance, Medical, Social Security, Payee Services, Food Stamps), employment / vocation services (vocational rehab, Employment Development Dept. services, interview clothing, job/training referrals), family services (CalWorks/TANF, prenatal care, WIC, child care referrals to Head Start, domestic violence info, shelter), and homeless court (legal proceedings to hear minor offenses before a Superior Court judge), legal (consultation, info, referrals re civil/criminal matters). Other resources provided were food court (free continental breakfast, coffee, and lunch), animal services, haircuts, housing placements, special needs and senior services, substance abuse services, veterans services, youth services, wheelchair and bicycle repair, dental and HIV services, plus medical (wellness exams, health screenings, flu shots), and mental health (counseling, referrals to treatment, vocational rehab, and financial services).

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. In Baltimore this week, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano met with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and new Director of Homeless Services Diane Glauber to discuss the upcoming release of the city's 10-Year Plan. Director Mangano and Mayor Dixon (pictured here) discussed the 10-Year Plan announcement anticipated in the near future and the importance of business partners and principles in the plan. The officials also discussed other key elements of 10-Year Plans, including data and cost benefit analysis, and the adoption of innovations, such as Housing First, ACT teams, and Project Homeless Connect.

Mayor Dixon told citizens in her 2007 State of the City address, "The problem of homelessness confronts us everyday . . . Some people have told me it's impossible to fix this problem. It's too expensive to ensure shelter for all people. I would argue that the costs associated with providing medical services and other resources to the homeless in Baltimore are too expensive as well. But at the end of the day, for me, it's not about the costs associated with homelessness that pricks at my heart. It is my sense of responsibility to my fellow man that compels me to act. I am committed to ending homelessness in Baltimore within the next 10 years."

Mayor Dixon took office in January, succeeding Mayor Martin O'Malley. She is the first woman Mayor of Baltimore. In 1987, she won a seat on the Baltimore City Council representing the 4th Council District, where she served for 12 years. In 1999, she became the first African-American woman elected as City Council President. Mayor Dixon has had strong interest in public health issues, including HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and lead poisoning in children.

Diane Glauber assumed her new role as point person for the plan after working for the last four years directing national initiatives to create and expand affordable housing at Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. In this role, she partnered with the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Previously, Ms. Glauber worked at the Baltimore Community Foundation and the YMCA of Central Maryland.

Interagency Council National Team Leader Michael German also participated.

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news continues its series of profiles on innovative initiatives that are achieving results in ending homelessness.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. "Let's set up a fund that would link families most in need, homeless in shelters, at risk, with other families also in need of a way to help their poorest neighbors. Neither family would know to whom they gave. All each would know is that they impacted the other's life through a mutual expression of giving." With these words, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano recalled the day twenty years ago when Dr. Paul Buttenwieser approached the Board of Boston's Social Action Ministries, headed by the now retired Rev. Brian Kelley of the Episcopal Diocese, to create a connection between families that would help end homelessness.

"Family to Family continues to offer an important tutorial for our nation's efforts to reduce and end homelessness: Listen to the authentic voice of homeless people and and align our expectations with their aspirations," Director Mangano said. Last week at the Boston Center for the Arts, Dr. Paul Buttenwieser and Katie Buttenwieser were recognized for their 20-year commitment to families and the launch of the Buttenwieser Family Enrichment Fund. Director Mangano presented Paul and Katie Buttenwieser with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their 20 years' of committed volunteer community service to their poorest neighbors.

A Resolution by the Massachusetts House of Representatives presented at the recognition stated: "Whereas, the Family to Family Project was inspired in 1988 by a group of Cambridge- area families who sought to create a network of support and hope for their neighbors . . . . [and] continuously works to assist families with immediate needs that will have long-term positive impacts upon their lives . . . [it] has tirelessly advocated for the improvement of the quality of life for families throughout Massachusetts dealing with homelessness . . ."

"From its inception the goal of The Family to Family Project has been to find ways to support and help families who are struggling with homelessness," said Paul Buttenwieser. "Now we want to expand this effort and create a broader awareness about the problem today and its impact on the entire community."

Since 1988, Family to Family has provided close to $4 million in resources from about 1,200 people to nearly 7,500 families. On average, $200,000 goes back out to the community each year and over 200 families move to permanent housing or are able to stay in their homes.

The Project provides assistance for a range of needs including rent, security deposits, utilities, child care, transportation and other things related to securing housing directly through 25+ affiliated agencies throughout greater Boston. The average grant is $1,000 per family - a small amount of money at the right time can make a major difference in the lives of children and their families. Nearly 95 percent of families receiving support from the Project are working full or part-time, and are typically low-income families with limited savings or middle- income families that have exhausted savings and other resources and require assistance during a crisis. At follow-up a year later, 98 percent of the families report that they've successfully maintained their housing or have relocated to new housing.

A more recent focus on prevention directs resources to keep families housed before they leave shelter, but also still providing funding for families that need access to resources to leave shelter. Families are referred from a number of Boston area programs, including: Action for Boston Community Development, Brockton Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Families, Inc., Cambridge Multi-Service Center, Casa Nueva Vida, Jamaica Plain, South Middlesex Opportunity Council, ESAC - Jamaica Plain, The Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center, Cambridge, Horizons Initiative, Boston, Horizons Transitional Housing, Mattapan, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, New Day, Somerville, Project Hope, Dorchester, Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc., Sojourner House, Roxbury, Transitions to Work Collaborative, Boston and Peabody, and Wellspring, Gloucester.

Dr. Paul Buttenwieser is a psychiatrist and a writer. He has worked with children, adolescents and adults, with a special interest in children with hemophilia and in education. He has been in the practice of psychiatry since 1970 and has taught at Harvard Medical School and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Katie Buttenwieser, a social worker, was inspired by Jonathan Kozol's book about homeless families - Rachel and Her Children - to join with other families to conceive Family to Family.

Interagency Council National Team Leader Michael German also participated.

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