Consistent with Unity’s mission of promoting individual and family stability and positive potential, Unity Parenting and Counseling Inc. contracts with IDCFS to assess and assist older youth and biological parents of children in care with obtaining safe and stable housing.
The Housing Advocate Program (HAP) assists biological parents who are close to reunification with their children. Parents who need adequate, safe and stable housing to facilitate reunification may be eligible for HAP services. For in-care youth who have not been reunified with their biological parents or who have not achieved permanency through adoption or guardianship, they may be able to avert homelessness by moving into stable, long-term housing.
Unity’s Housing Advocacy staff works with parents or transitioning/emancipated youth to:
• Identify and secure housing
• Address barriers
• Secure needed rental subsidies
• Develop life skills crucial to life after IDCFS
• Identify and secure income resources when needed
Our HAP staff also help these youth/parents access funds to assist with security deposits, utility assistance, and furniture/clothing/home needs. In many cases, the HAP worker can support the emancipated youth until the age of 24 with housing assistance and needed supports.
These services promote successful reunifications and successful transition of youth exiting foster care.
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Please contact us to let us know how you or your company would like to get involved.