Host Homes of Milford

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HOST HOMES of MILFORD.

Kate FitzPatrick, Coordinator E-mail
Phone: (603) 672-1069 Fax: (603) 673-2273

We're seeking a few good families.... Who can help Milford's youth in crisis.

What is the Program? How does it work? Why do we need it? What does a Host Family do? How do I become a Host Home Volunteer?

Do you know a child in crisis who could benefit from Host Homes? Please call the Host Homes coordinator at 672-1069, 24 hours for more information

What is the Host Homes Program?

Host Homes was created as a result of a growing concern by school personnel, police and human services professionals, who saw an increased number of youths experiencing problems and home and school. These adolescents, unable to cope with distress surrounding these difficulties, would often run away from home and place themselves into unsafe living situations.

It is the goal of Host Homes to provide short-term crisis intervention as well as as safe haven to these adolescents and their families. Host Homes aims to reunite the families it serves as soon as feasible

How does the program work?

The Host Homes Program offers a youth in crisis to chance for a "cooling off period" in the home of a trained community volunteer. Each youth participating in the program is provided the chance to remain within that community, continue their education in their neighborhood school, and participate in regular school activities. The youths remain safe within that community and has the opportunity to develop a plan with their family to successfully returned home.

The are two services provided by the Host Homes Program. Social workers from the Hillsborough County family intervention program provide counseling to the youths residing in the host home. Simultaneously, the Milford Area Mediation Program provides services to the youth and natural family to develop a plan for the youth to successfully return home. In the rare instances when reunification is not feasible, the Host Homes Program works with the natural family to develop an alternative placement plan for the youth.

What does a Host Homes family do?

Host Homes volunteer families provide short-term shelter for Milford youth that are experiencing a crisis with their natural family. The shelter is provided for one day up to 30 days. The Host Homes Program goal is to resolve the crisis and to re-unify the natural family. The best potential Host Homes are those in which there is an atmosphere of understanding, caring, and concern. Host home parents provide adult supervision, at least two meals today, and a safe environment. Youths exhibiting serious behaviors are not candidates for the Host Homes Program.

Host Homes families are community members willing to act on their concern about Milford youth in crisis. Host Homes receives no remuneration for their volunteers services. The natural family provides to the youths whenever financial assistance is required for food and other expenses. Host Homes families receive training and support from the Host Homes Program.

Host home volunteers are not professional counselors or therapists. They are simply caring substitute parents who are there to listen and give support to a teenager who is experiencing a crisis.

Why does Milford need host Homes?

Many youths have difficulties at home or at school that is the impetus to run away from home. These youths may act out, skip school, withdraw, or show aggression towards their peers.

There has been no short-term crisis respite for youth in crisis. In some scenarios, a supportive "cooling off" period is needed to enable the family to work through and resolve conflict. The Host Homes Program empowers families with skills to manage a situation before it becomes a crisis.

HOST HOME FAMILIES:

Helping the community reduce substance abuse, teen pregnancy and suicide.

Often, youths that run away from home end up in inappropriate, unsafe living conditions. They risk becoming homeless, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe sex, substance abuse, and violencethan. By providing a safe place for youth in crisis Host Homes Program help youth avoid these situations.

The Host Homes Program, through a network of trained volunteer Host Home families are instrumental in curbing these disruptive behaviors. Please become involved with the community-based Host Homes Program. Please call the program coordinator at: 672-1069 or Click Here.

Host home families are members of the community who are concerned about the local youth of Milford and their families.

Do you know a child in crisis who could benefit from Host Homes? Please call the Host Homes coordinator at 672-1069, 24 hours for more information.

What the Professionals are saying...

“Many families could remain intact if they could work out their problems while separated from each other This break would provide them with the time necessary to
understand the problems yet to realize the stmngths that exist within their families. Host Homes helps to facilitate this process”
	Connie Bessette, Milford School Social Worker

“The Host Homes Program will be a great tool for us to use in assisting families in gaining time to cool off and evaluate their situation. This program will give a potential runaway
child a safe alternative so that they will not have to resort to the streets.”
 	Sergeant R.J. Wlnterburn, Milford Police Department

“The short term support for families in crisis is one of the recognized alternatives in a world which currently looks first at local resources to solve problems within the community. Host
Homes provides such a community resource.”
	Don Wrightington, Senior Social Worker,
	Hillsborough County Department of Human Services.

“I have seen many Milford teenagers who have run away due to stresses involved in the  family. These teens have no where to go, no money, and their education is put at risk. The
Host Homes program would enable these teens to stay within the community and to help provide a bridge to enable these youth to successfully return home.”
	Patti Horne, Welfare Director, Town of Milford.