Client Services

Community & Supportive Services (continued)

The following programs are offered for residents of all ages; youth, young adults, and seniors living in a HANO community.

Restorative Circles
www.restorativejustice.org
Restorative Circles are held monthly at STNC with youth and part of the Restorative Justice Practice Model that STNC is seeking to fully implement with the help of Community Mediation Services, Inc. “Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by crime. When victims, offenders and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results can be transformational.”

Girl Scouts of Southeast Louisiana
www.gsle.org

Making Proud Choices Program
The Institute on Women & Ethnic Studies began weekly workshops with youth ages 13-18 called “Making Proud Choices” during the month of October. The program provides education to youth around sexual health. A parent meeting was held at the beginning of the month that informed parents of program goals and workshop content. A total of ten parents signed their children up for the program. “Making Proud Choices” is an eight week series, with classes held every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at STNC. Class attendance each week has ranged between 5-10 kids each week.

Teen Outreach Program
In partnership with the Institute on Women & Ethnic Studies, Catholic Charities has started the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) at Lafitte. TOP is a nationally recognized youth -development program that has been proven to foster academic success and prevent teen pregnancy. TOP is an evidence-based program that engages teens between the ages of 12-18 in curriculum guided discussion and community service throughout the school year. TOP™ follows a basic approach that has been shown to achieve results for teens. The three components of TOP include: (1) Educational Peer Group Meetings; (2) Community Service Learning; and (3) Positive Adult Guidance and Support. The goals of TOP™ are to develop life skills, healthy behaviors, and a sense of purpose- ultimately preparing teens for successful adulthood. TOP™ participants meet at least once per week for nine months to receive the Changing Scenes curriculum from a trained IWES facilitator. The facilitator is someone who is sensitive to the feelings and needs of the teens and creates a social environment that is emotionally supportive and safe. TOP participants are required to complete at least 20 community service hours (generally 10 hours per semester). Moreover, teens have a choice and input in selecting their community service work.

The TOP program has demonstrated effectiveness and outcomes that have resulted in a 53% reduction in teen pregnancy rates, 52% reduction in school suspension rates, 60% reduction in course failure rates, and 60% reduction in school dropout rates.

Case Management

Client Services oversees the case management, programs and activities of all residents and works with the resident leadership to identify service gaps. Staff establishes relationships with the developers, contractors and private management teams to ensure that the best interests and needs of the residents are met.

Thanks to HANO’s partnership with Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO), social work students obtaining their BSW and MSW degrees can perform an internship with HANO to assist with case management, needs assessments, grant writing and program implementation.

Relocation

As HANO undergoes a massive redevelopment process – replacing older developments with modern housing -- Client Services manages the relocation of all displaced residents during this process. We strive to ensure that residents are treated fairly, consistently and equitably so they will not suffer unnecessary hardships as a result of the activities designed for the benefit of HANO residents as a whole.

Relocation services include:

• Informational meetings to discuss the process and option choices
• Transportation
• Help locating suitable housing
• Financial assistance for moving expenses
• Payment of security deposits to Housing Choice Voucher landlords
• Assistance with physical moves
• Counseling

Relocation has successfully assisted 75 percent of Scattered Site residents since November 2009 and is preparing to relocate the remaining residents. Many of the vacated scattered site units are currently under contract for major renovations, and we expect to return most of our relocated residents to their former scattered site units upon completion.