FirstStep
It's important to know which programs provide the critical services your clients who are homeless may need. In addition to the services already featured in detail on FirstStep, your clients may also need such services as: alcohol and drug abuse treatment, childcare, mental health and counseling.
While one or more of the mainstream programs included on FirstStep may provide these services (as described in the Benefit Programs section), there are additional, more targeted Federal programs that may also cover these services.
Since these Federal programs vary by state, it is not possible
to include a complete listing of programs; however, following is a list
of the more common critical services needed by persons who are homeless
and a sample listing of Federal programs that may provide the service.
You should check the Internet and state directories for additional information
on these Federal programs, and for other state and locally operated programs.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services are those activities primarily designed to prevent, deter, reduce, or eliminate substance abuse or addictive behaviors. Treatment services may include intake and assessment; treatment matching and planning; behavioral therapy and counseling appropriate to the client and the severity of the problem; substance abuse toxicology and screening; clinical and case management; outcome evaluation; and self-help and peer support activities.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services include:
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block
Grant (SAMHSA)
http://www.samhsa.gov/public/look_frame.html
- Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation
Program (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
http://www.va.gov/
Child Care Services for children (including infants, pre-schoolers, and school age children) are services or activities provided in a setting that meets applicable standards of state and local law, in a center or in a home, for a portion of a 24-hour day. Component services or activities may include a comprehensive and coordinated set of appropriate developmental activities for children, recreation, meals and snacks, transportation, health support services, social service counseling for parents, and plan development.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Child Care Services for children include:
- Child Care Aware (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families) http://www.childcareaware.org/
- Assistance for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
(U.S. Dept. of Education)
http://www.nectac.org/partc/partc.asp
- The Child Care Access Program (U.S. Department
of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/campisp/index.html
- Head Start and Early Head Start Programs (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services)
Head Start Programs:
http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/programs/index.htm#hs
Early Head Start Programs:
http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/programs/index.htm#ehs
Education and Instructional Services are those training services provided to improve knowledge, daily living skills, or social skills. Services may include instruction or training in (but not limited to) such issues as consumer education, health education, education to prevent substance abuse, community protection and safety education, literacy education, English as a second language, and General Educational Development (GED). Component services or activities may include screening, assessment and testing; individual or group instruction; tutoring; provision of books, supplies and instructional material; counseling; and referral to community resources.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Education and Instructional Services include:
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0
- Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program
(U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/lifeskills/index.html
- Parental Training and Information Centers (U.S.
Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/pirc/index.html
- Special Education Parent Information Centers
Program (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
- Vocational Rehabilitation for Individuals with
Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html?src=mr
- Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/joli/welcome.htm
- Street Outreach Program (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/streetout.htm
- Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/tlp.htm
Home Health Services are those in-home or out-of-home services or activities that provide direct treatments or are designed to assist individuals and families to attain and maintain a favorable condition of health. These services may be especially critical to your client as they transition to more stable housing. Component services and activities may include providing an analysis or assessment of an individual’s health problems and the development of a treatment plan; assisting individuals to identify and understand their health needs; providing directly or assisting individuals to locate, provide or secure, and utilize appropriate medical treatment, preventive medical care, and health maintenance services, including in-home health services and emergency medical services; provision of appropriate medication; and providing follow-up services as needed.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Health Related and Home Health Services include:
- Medicare (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services)
http://cms.hhs.gov/providers/hha/
- Medicaid (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services)
http://cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/
- State Children’s Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
http://cms.hhs.gov/schip/
- Veterans Affairs Health Care (U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs)
http://www.appc1.va.gov/health_benefits/
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/
- Maternal and Child Health Services (U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services)
http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/default.htm
HIV/AIDS Services include HIV/AIDS primary and secondary prevention services; HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, primary care, provision of HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral and other medications, rehabilitative, and supportive services for persons affected and infected with HIV.
Some of the Federal programs that cover HIV/AIDS Services include:
- Services for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (Ryan
White Care Act) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://hab.hrsa.gov/programs.htm
- Medicaid
http://cms.hhs.gov/hiv/default.asp
Information and Referral Services are those services or activities designed to provide information about services provided by public and private service providers and a brief assessment of client needs (but not diagnosis and evaluation) to facilitate appropriate referral to these community resources.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Information and Referral Services include:
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0
- Centers for Independent Living for Individuals
(U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/cil/index.html?exp=0
- Child Care Resource and Referral Services (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services)
http://childcareaware.org/en/findcare.html
- Employment and Training Assistance (U.S. Department
of Labor)
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/adtrain.cfm
- The Social Services Block Grant (U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/ssbg
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC) (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/
- Street Outreach Program (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/streetout.htm
Legal Services are those services or activities provided by a lawyer or other person(s) under the supervision of a lawyer to assist individuals in seeking or obtaining legal help in civil matters such as housing, divorce, child support, guardianship, paternity, and legal separation. Component services or activities may include receiving and preparing cases for trial; provision of legal advice; representation at hearings; and counseling.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Legal Services include:
- Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with
Mental Illness (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
http://www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/P&A/default.asp
- Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program
(U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsacap/index.html?exp=0
Life Skills training provides critical life management skills that may never have been learned or have been lost during the course of mental illness, substance use, and homelessness. They are targeted to assist the individual to function independently in the community. Component life skills training includes the budgeting of resources and money management; household management; conflict management; shopping for food and needed items; nutrition; the use of public transportation; and parent training.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Life Skills include:
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0
- Centers for Independent Living for Individuals
with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailstate/index.html?exp=0
- Employment and Training Assistance (U.S. Department
of Labor)
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/adtrain.cfm
- Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program
(U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/lifeskills/index.html
- One-Stop Career Center System (U.S. Department
of Labor)
http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/onestop/
- Street Outreach Program (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/streetout.htm
- Youth Education and Training Activities (U.S.
Department of Labor)
http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/Programs_Services.cfm
Mental Health and Counseling Services are those services and activities that apply therapeutic processes to person, family, situational, or occupational problems in order to bring about a positive resolution of the problem or improved individual or family functioning or circumstances. Problem areas may include family and marital relationships, parent-child problems, or symptom management. Component services may include crisis interventions; individual, family or group therapy sessions; the prescription of psychotropic medications or explanations about the use and management of medications; and combinations of therapeutic approaches to address multiple problems.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Mental Health and Counseling Services include:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA)
http://www.samhsa.gov/
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/
- Street Outreach Program (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/streetout.htm
- Support Services for Runaway and Homeless Youth-Basic
Centers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/grant.htm
Outreach Services include extending services or assistance in order to provide basic materials, such as meals, blankets, or clothes to homeless persons; or to publicize the availability of shelters and programs to make homeless persons aware of various services and programs.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Outreach Services include:
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC) (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/
- Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (U.S.
Department of Labor)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/welcome.html
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0
- Centers for Independent Living for Individuals
with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/cil/index.html
- Street Outreach Program (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/streetout.htm
Transitional Living Services are those services and activities designed to help make the transition from homelessness to stable housing. Component services or activities may include supervised practice living; budgeting; one-time payments associated with establishing tenancy; food planning and preparation; and post-foster care services for homeless persons.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Transitional Living Services include:
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0
- Centers for Independent Living for Individuals
with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/cil/index.html
- Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs/fpfs.htm
- Services for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (Ryan
White Care Act) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://hab.hrsa.gov/programs.htm
- Welfare-to-Work (U.S. Department of Labor
http://wtw.doleta.gov/
Transportation Services are those services or activities that provide and arrange for the travel, including travel costs, of individuals in order to access treatment, medical care, services, or employment. Component services or activities may include special travel arrangements such as special modes of transportation and personnel to accompany or assist individuals or families who utilize transportation.
Some of the Federal programs that cover Transportation Services include:
- Employment and Training Assistance (U.S. Department
of Labor)
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/adtrain.cfm
- Independent Living Services for Older, Blind
Individuals (U.S. Department of Education)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html?exp=0