Family Support

Homeless Family Support

The Homeless Family Support Program contributes to the City of Seattle’s goal to improve academic achievement and school readiness by helping homeless children and children at risk of homelessness to develop age-appropriate motor, cognitive and social skills.

Services for homeless children ages one to five years are provided by Family Services’ Specialized Homeless Child Care at Morningsong, a licensed child care facility that provides specialized services for homeless children (living in emergency shelters or transitional housing). The goal is to prepare them for school by helping them develop their motor, cognitive and social skills.

Children ages 5-10 attend First Place School, which provides educational, counseling and support services to elementary aged children whose families face the risk or reality of homelessness. The goal is to improve attitudes toward school and learning, attendance, in-school behavior and report card results. Assessments include the parents or guardians to make sure that needs are met in a way that responds to the cultures and values of the participants. Each student follows a plan developed and implemented by teachers, counselors and parents or guardians.

The Seattle Human Services Department allocated approximately $310,472 in 2009 to the nonprofit, community-based organizations providing services to the Homeless Family Support Program.

Information

For more information about Seattle Human Services Department-funded services for children and families, call Deborah Harris at 206-684-8852 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.

For more information about related City of Seattle Programs, visit:

• Seattle Family Centers
• Homelessness and Emergency Services

For information about our partners and related programs, contact the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

Links

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