Overcoming Challenges: Darrin’s Story
At Leading Families Home, we help families transition from homelessness to permanent housing through a variety of programs, including Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Our team includes case managers who work with families to help them navigate the journey from homelessness to housing.
Recently, one of our Participants, Darrin, was able to share his story with us. Darrin is part of a two-parent household with seven children. Some of the children are from previous relationships that stay with the family from time to time.
Challenges
Darrin has faced several health challenges, including fibromyalgia and glaucoma. His wife also experiences medical conditions. They have limited income due to their medical conditions, as well as challenges with relationships between themselves and extended family members.
They are working hard to overcome these challenges: both parents interact with a medical therapy provider regularly, in addition to both seeking employment. Happily, employment has been gained, but, due to COVID-19, both are still awaiting a start date.
In the past, Darrin’s wife has been the primary provider, due to Darrin’s medical conditions. Darrin cares for their children while she works. Their youngest child has medical limitations that require ongoing therapy and frequent doctor visits.
Progress
Darrin’s wife is very happy that he is finally completing one of his biggest goals: getting his GED. He hasn’t completed this yet, but she is happy that he’s taking the steps required to start this process.
She stated that if she were not in the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, her husband would not have been able to focus on completing his personal goals.
Leading Families Home’s Case Manager Jaquane says, “I congratulate Darrin’s wife for making progress, and explained to her the incentive program based on starting and finishing school/work and vocational training. I also assured Darrin that if additional help or resources are needed, he may contact me via phone or email.”
She continues, “We also talked about progress the couple has been making despite the challenges they have had during the pandemic while raising a large family.” Jaquane and Darrin discussed the ongoing progress being made, focusing on the small goals achieved that Darrin may feel are not that important… “Small goals can lead to completion of big ones and/or eliminating barriers preventing the family progress to move forward,” she said.
Challenges Participant has Overcome:
- Medical conditions with both adults
- Limited help w/family
- Repairing relationships
- Large family w/limited incoming income due to education/housing/resources (childcare)
Positive Outcomes:
- Darrin and his wife were able to gain SSI for their youngest child
- Medical for the entire family
- SNAPS has currently increased, due to Covid-19
- Relationships with family and friends are being mended
What Is Permanent Supportive Housing?
“Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is long-term, community-based housing, which includes supportive services for homeless people with disabilities. This type of supportive housing is meant to enable the special needs population to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.” ( Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services )
PSH is an evidence-based practice for people with mental illnesses and is typically defined by the following features:
PSH is a program created for people with mental illnesses. It includes securing lease or sub-lease agreements for rental housing and supportive services which are not time-limited.
For additional OhioMHAS Housing Settings definitions, refer to the 2018 Housing Categories and Definitions document.
Resources
If your family is homeless, here are a few resources for you:
Call 2-1-1 to Find Shelter
Please call 2-1-1 if you are homeless and need shelter. ALL Intakes for Toledo’s homeless shelters are processed through the United Way. For immediate assistance, please dial 2-1-1 from any landline or 1-800-650-HELP to connect with an information and referral specialist.
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