Area of Expertise: Policy and Advocacy

These briefs present information on federal housing voucher programs, such as the Family Unification Program (FUP), that child welfare and housing leaders can use to stabilize families through cross-sector partnerships. These briefs provide strategies for successfully administering FUP vouchers and identifying FUP eligible families. They also dispel common myths around the administration of FUP vouchers, so that these critical housing resources can be leveraged to to help strengthen families and keep children safe. Part 2 focuses on how to work successfully with housing partners to administer FUP vouchers for families .

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To access the Brief on Family Housing Vouchers – Part 1, follow the link below.

This brief titled Supportive Housing and Olmstead: State of the Conversation, February 2024, delves into critical considerations for policymakers and advocates amidst implementing state HCBS settings rule transition plans and endeavors to ensure compliance with the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The essence of Olmstead lies in its vision to empower individuals with disabilities by fostering their seamless integration into communities and affording them the autonomy to choose supportive housing as a pathway to realizing this vision. This document recognizes the pivotal role of quality supportive housing in advancing these objectives and bolstering Money Follows the Person (MFP) initiatives across states.

These briefs discuss how Family Unification Program (FUP) and Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) federal housing vouchers can support transition, wellbeing, and stability for youth/young adults’ transitions from foster care involvement with the child welfare system. Part 1 provides an overview of FUP and FYI vouchers. Part 2 offers a detailed guide to administering FUP and FYI vouchers for youth and young adults. 

The publications were made possible in collaboration with Casey Family Programs, whose mission is to provide, improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care.

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To access Part 1, please continue to through the link below.

These briefs present information on federal housing voucher programs, such as the Family Unification Program (FUP), that child welfare and housing leaders can use to stabilize families through cross-sector partnerships. These briefs provide strategies for successfully administering FUP vouchers and identifying FUP eligible families. They also dispel common myths around the administration of FUP vouchers, so that these critical housing resources can be leveraged to to help strengthen families and keep children safe.

The publications were made possible in collaboration with Casey Family Programs, whose mission is to provide, improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care.

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To access the Brief on Family Housing Vouchers – Part 2, follow the link below.

In the summer and fall of 2022, CSH and Casey Family Programs hosted a virtual talking circle and a series of subsequent conversations with Native American leaders, service providers and families from across the United States that work in the fields of child welfare, Indian Child Welfare Act and supportive housing. These conversations were led by Patty Beech Consulting, and focused on how to better connect quality, affordable housing and supportive services to Native American families who are at-risk of being separated or who have child welfare system involvement and are facing homelessness or housing instability.

To proactively think through realistic solutions in closing the gap in the supportive housing need for older adults in New Jersey, CSH developed an Advocacy Agenda in collaboration with stakeholders representing local and state, nonprofit and government perspectives.

The following four workgroups met throughout 2021 to brainstorm ideas to guide the state in the critical coordination, funding and policy changes needed to expand supportive housing for the ageing population. The influx of federal and state dollars, the unique Medicaid proposals for the state’s 1115 waiver, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) set new standards within the national conversation. This is the moment for New Jersey to think big on supporting aging residents who need a combination of affordable housing and services to stay in their community and age in place. This Advocacy Agenda is the road map to guide New Jersey in this effort.

Workgroups that developed the Advocacy Agenda

• Maintaining Capital Funding
• Expanding Service Dollars / Eligibility 
• Strengthening the Workforce 
• Addressing Not In My Backyard (NIMBYism)

This paper published with the generous support from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation shares critical information about the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program and how it can boost ‘services’ in supportive housing. HCBS services help individuals live comfortably in their own homes, despite challenges commonly faced by people with disabilities and all of us as we age. HCBS will be an essential supplementary resource to help supportive housing tenants thrive in their community at all ages.

This data brief guides system providers on how to better coordinate data and services for families involved with systems, such as child welfare, homelessness response, behavioral health, education and justice.