January 2017

Volume 2, Issue 1: January 3, 2017

The ATTC Center of Excellence on Behavioral Health for Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Families (ATTC CoE-PPW) has launched Families In Focus, an e-newsletter for PPW programs. This publication contains updates on the work of the ATTC CoE-PPW, including new resources, training offerings, opportunities to connect with other PPW programs, and more. Visit www.attcppwtools.org to learn more about the ATTC CoE-PPW.

Sexual Health: Caring For & Empowering Women with Opioid Use Disorders

Learn what clinicians need to know about providing family planning services and reproductive/sexual health care to women with opioid use disorders in a newly released, pre-recorded webinar. Dr. Hendrée Jones from the UNC Horizons Program presents on the topic as part of the Virtual Coffee Break series hosted by the National Clinical Training Center for Family Plannning, with support from the ATTC CoE-PPW. The webinar is free to view for a Certificate of Completion, or $15 to obtain CME or CNE. Register here for this webinar and others on related family planning topics.

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The Role of Social Networks Among Low-Income Fathers: Findings from the PACT Evaluation

A new report from the Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation, Administration for Children & Families, explores the composition and nature of social networks in the lives of low-income fathers. Social networks play an important role in acquiring social capital, which in turn allows greater access to important resources for fathers and their families (housing, jobs, organizational supports, etc.). Findings from in-depth interviews with low-income fathers revealed that they typically had small social networks and fewer supportive connections with family and friends compared to the national average. Fathers' social networks were primarily used for emotional, financial, in-kind, and housing support. They often relied on close family and friends for emotional support and advice. Fathers with more robust social networks were more likely to get assistance from public and nonprofit organizations than fathers with smaller social networks; thus, fathers with smaller social networks were even more isolated with limited social support and resources. Read the full report to learn how these findings could have implications for your program design.

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Spotlight on Rising Strong (Spokane, WA): A Housing Model to Support Recovery, Keep Families Together, and Address Long-Term Housing Needs

The Rising Strong program in Spokane, WA isn't scheduled to begin serving families until April 2017, but its housing model and extensive community partnerships are already well in place. This new program is a collaboration between Catholic Charities Spokane and Empire Health Foundation and is modeled after the Exodus Program (part of SHIELDS for Families) in South Central Los Angeles and the OnTrack program in Medford, OR. SHIELDS For Families CEO, Dr. Kathryn Icenhower, is mentoring the program in its formative stages. Rising Strong will provide a safe alternative for families at risk of separation due to neglect stemming from parental alcohol and substance use. It will offer treatment services for parents, along with housing and wraparound support for the whole family. A key feature of Rising Strong is its comprehensive housing plan that will create affordable housing for its clients and the broader community. Situated on 15 acres of land that was formerly home to a convent, and has since been acquired by Catholic Charities, the program will initially pilot its services for 20 families in the former convent's dormitory-style housing. However, by the summer of 2018, families will be transitioned to 350+ adjacent affordable housing units that are being developed through tax-credit financing. This will allow families the opportunity to transition to long-term, affordable housing with housing vouchers following treatment. Learn more about this program and strategies for replication by reading the full Community Story and find other innovative programs across the country on the Community Stories map.