North Hills Community Outreach

The Program Serves a Population with Great Needs:
Coordinated case management services connect low income adults and families with immediate basic needs and then assist them in attaining long term self sufficiency.  All 150 program participants will be living below 125% of the federal poverty level ($22,000 for a single mother and two children).  It is anticipated, based on existing clients, 75% will be single women with children, 50% will be unemployed, 25% will be underemployed, and 10% will have a significant disability that interferes with employment.  In 2007-08, NHCO assisted 4,399 struggling adults and families with immediate needs towards the goal of self sufficiency.  The families in greatest need receive the coordinated case management—currently, 75 families receive this level of service every year.  United Way funding will increase from 50% to 100% the amount of time that three current case managers devote to intensive case management and allows the agency to serve up to 150 families/year.  

The Program Achieves Measurable Results:
Highlights over the past three years of providing intensive case management include:

• 43% obtained new or better employment;
• 41% increased household income, with 21% moving above 125% of the federal poverty level within 12 months;
• 39% maintained a job for at least 90 days; and
• 24% secured better housing.

The Program Utilizes A Sound Approach:
Coordinated case management services would first connect low income adults and families with immediate basic needs and then continue to assist them in attaining long term self sufficiency through assistance with financial management, attaining employment, and building towards attainment of assets (such as a home, a vehicle, or an education).  Consistent case management support and follow up will be provided throughout the term of the program.   The agency's services are based on national best practices and are consistently assessed and re-evaluated based on program outcomes.   Program outcomes are measured in accordance with the federal Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) measurement standards and are evaluated quarterly.  The ROMA system sections that NHCO utilizes for its evaluation are focused on helping low income people become more self sufficient and to achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive systems.  This agency's data driven intensive case management/  coordination service delivery approach has the potential to achieve community-wide impact by taking the “settlement house” model to a new and more efficient level.

The Proposal is Aligned with Preferred Outcomes:
This program aligns with the following preferred RFP outcomes:

• Secure and Maintain Employment -- 75 (50%) participants will secure gainful employment and 38 (25%) will advance in employment and increase earned income.
• Increase Household Financial Knowledge and Build Savings -- 38 (25%) participants will decrease need for utility assistance due to increased income and/ or living within their means
• Prevent Homelessness -- 120 (80%) participants will obtain or maintain safe and affordable housing.