Community Living Program

Monica DuPea, Executive Director, www.nyep.org

Why you should listen to me…

• Working with system and non-system transition aged youth, in residential settings, for 20 years.
• Opened NYEP in 2007 and worked closely with a behavioral psychologist for 6 years to create a standardized, scalable residential independent living curriculum and have facilitated a successful one for 10+ years.
• For the past 8 years, NYEP has conducted Reno’s homeless youth count. We also facilitate our county’s Youth Advisory Board.
• Developing a 10 unit intergenerational housing complex where graduates of NYEP’s CLP will reside among seniors, who are referred by the public housing authority. Breaks ground this year!
• Operated affordable housing for CLP graduates since 2014.
• Everything we’ve done has been 100% privately funded.
• I know [our] youth population: Nevada has the fastest growing homeless youth population in country. We have 25,000 opportunity youth in Washoe County. We have a 3% vacancy rate, and 1-bedroom apartments are $1500/month. Minimum wage is $8.25/hr, and it costs a minimum of $13.67/hr to live.

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Program Description

Below is my program description…

The Community Living Program (CLP) is a standardized, all-inclusive, housing-based independent living curriculum delivered in an 8-bedroom home, to up to 15 young women at a time (who would otherwise be homeless) intended to teach, support and produce the outcomes desired for older youth and emerging adults; high school graduation, certificate training, skilled wage employment, independent housing, good citizenry, and avoidance of welfare.

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Target Population

(as described on our website)

You May Qualify if You:

• are a female adult aged 18-24 (emancipated 17 year olds will be considered)
• are willing to submit to an initial drug test and future random testing
• will sign a contract and take the necessary steps to successfully complete the agreed upon individualized Success Plan (exit plan)
• have the capacity to be productive for 40 hours each week
• are willing to enroll in an education and/or vocational institution and obtain your High School Diploma/GED (if you don’t already have one)
• are willing to work toward achieving self-sufficiency and moving on to independent housing within 18 months
• are physically, mentally, emotionally and behaviorally ready to safely reside in the home and use and benefit from program services
• are willing to commit to 9-24 months of living in the program so all individualized plan goals are met

You MAY NOT Qualify if You:

• perform active psychotic behavior
• perform violent/assaultive behavior
• have active substance abuse
• perform verbal abuse
• are pregnant

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The CLP serves young women who are exceptionally damaged, undereducated, under resourced, disadvantaged, unsupported, and unprepared. Each has expressed a deep desire to be happy and productive, and for the time being, have made a verbal commitment that they are willing to do the work it takes to earn and achieve things, and make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

“Willing & Capable”

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Consider this.

Program Culture

If you don’t create a culture, it will create itself.

• Safety & Logistics: 24hr cameras, near bus line and college
• Home: kitchen, bathroom, living room, laundry room, bedrooms, staff office

Bedroom Proforma: twin bed, dresser, desk, chair, laundry basket, laptop, linens, pillow

• Motivational System: instructions and points list
• Staffing: principled, positive adults
• Standards: standard procedure - chore standard and policies
• Consistency: regularly occurring - when chores or tasks are done
• Routine: course of action - list of chores or tasks
• Accountability: program quality assurance - staff development

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Bedroom Kitchen Common Room Office

Exterior

COME VISIT SOMETIME!

Token Instructions

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Point System

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Ways to Earn Ways to Spend Ways to Lose

Without a significant relationship, there is no significant change.

Principled, positive adults are present in the home 7 days a week, from 8am to 9pm, to act as “parents” to youth residents.

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NYEP hires people with shared principles around program culture.

• We use behavioral hiring to find “tiger mom/dad” and “problem solver” types.
• We use titles like Executive Director, Housing Director, Housing Manager, Transition Specialist, Program Navigator, Alumni/Graduates
• We use a 2-page 4-week New Staff Training Document to guide all new hires. New hires are provided an Employee Handbook, Resident Handbook, Job Description and Token Instructions.
• The 4-week “on boarding” training includes shadowing walk-throughs, one on one talks, program component facilitation, reporting and following standards. For each program component description for residents, there is an accountability description for staff.

More staff autonomy is allowed as new hire progresses in abilities.

Staffing

Lead by Example.

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• Be prepared to do the hard stuff (be away from them – it can be lonely, but in the long run, it pays off). Otherwise, they can push all the boundaries they want and you will feel out of control.
• Say what you mean and mean what you say.
• No special treatment (this builds respect).
• Be able to do what you teach (as evidenced by ability) – don’t expect someone to do what you can’t/won’t.
• Foster a positive environment (don’t stir shit).
• Process positively when you see conflict or potential.
• People need their tools – keep stuff working.
• Full bellies make happy faces – keep food stocked.

• Not too much junk food.
• Encourage group activity (help set up).
• Encourage volunteering (help set up).
• Celebrate special days – it teaches them to!
• Encourage them to greet people (teach them and recognize them for doing it).
• Be real, show them your struggle and let them see you doing the right, but hard, thing.
• Strong boundaries – people who push boundaries keep pushing.
• Routines, lists, standards – they need to know exactly what to do.
• Breathalyzers & drug tests (as needed).
• Recognize accomplishments with a public showing (dinner, party, in a group, gift giving).

What Staff Spend Their Time Doing…

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Standards & Policies

Curfew Policy

(example)

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Bedroom Chore Standard

(example)

Consistency

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Program Calendar Resident Calendar

Routine

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Our staff is present 7 days a week to ensure chores and tasks are completed, as expected.

Accountability

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• For every resident expectation the program makes, an equal “staff expectation” should be made to ensure residents are provided adequate support to meet each expectation.
• Go for competency over completion.

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Resident Description Staff Description

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CLP Overview

What & When to Teach

Program Model

Program Model

What, How, and When to Teach…

Intake/Orientation

• Online application
• Phone interview
• In person interview
• 24 hours to think about it
• Schedule move in date
• Complete paperwork
• Begin orientation
• Begin programming
• Complete social history
• Personal & Program Plan

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Personal & Program Plan

• We expect each resident will spend at least 40 hours a week in planned, goal-directed activities. 
• These activities must include our programming. Remaining time is spent on school, volunteer work, attending classes and appointments, job searching and working. 
• With so many residents with different calendar demands, scheduling everyone together can be quite challenging. A lot of 1:1 work is necessary.

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Timeline

Program Objectives

NYEP’s CLP facilitates a 13 component curriculum each day, in addition to providing a nice balance of fun activities including:

• Monthly Family Night
• Weekly Hands on Classes
• DIY Classes
• Cooking Classes
• YAB Meetings
• Summer Trip
• Same Day Holiday Celebration
• Birthdays
• Agency Events

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1. Typing: weekly typing test till consistent 40wpm

2. Housekeeping: 90% or greater completion of assigned chores each week

3. Financial Awareness: turn in weekly bank balance with steady increase in savings

4. Shopping on a Budget: 20 successful shopping experiences; stayed under budget and turned in completed shopping packet

5. Meal Planning and Cooking: 20 successful cooking experiences; meal done as scheduled and turned in completed cooking packet

6. Calendar Work & Time Management: attend 52 calendar meetings, turn in 52 completed calendar assessments

7. Individual Volunteering: Resume, 2 letters of recommendation, 6 positive supervisor feedbacks

8. Group Volunteer Events: participate in 12 group volunteer events

9. Self Defense: achieve a score of at least 61 (B) for 52 times

10. Self-Expression: achieve a score of 35 (B) for 52 times

11. Problem Solving: participate in 52 PSGs

12. Being a Good Meeting Member (House Meeting): participant in 52 meetings

13. Relationships and Boundaries: participate in 15 classes

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Program Goals

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1. Graduate from high school, obtain GED, or pass proficiencies.

- Residents show they’ve completed basic education and are able to access FAFSA.

2. Earn and save enough money to live independently.

- Residents are capable of earning a skilled wage and have saved $2000 from employment.

3. 30 days of consistency in CLP programming.

- Residents show they can consistently live cooperatively and responsibly.

4. Secure housing that is safe, stable, and affordable.

- Residents show they can find and secure independent housing upon program graduation.

NYEP’s CLP Goals:

How do you know when it’s time to go…

• Goals are Met
• Move Out Sheet
• Graduate Letter

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Graduating

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Leave, Discharge or Graduate?

Graduate Letter

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Discharge Process

When there is an issue about rules or expectations, we use the following approaches:�

• Re direct - there's been one or more infractions. Staff will address the resident about the specific issue with specific expectations. This may be done in person, on phone or in writing. Used as often as needed.
• Confrontation - there's been one or more redirects about a specific issue. It is done in person. Used up to 3 times for one specific issue.
• Discharge Letter - there's been up to 3 confrontations for one specific violation. This is done in writing. Followed up by an in person meeting to assure youth is committed to the program rules and discharge letter expectations, or if they are arranging their move out date.
• Eviction - rule violation or programming non-compliance within 30 days of receiving a discharge letter and refuses to voluntarily vacate the program.

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Evaluation Time

Useful Tools

• Turbo-Timer Talk
• Roommate Questionnaire & Roommate Agreement
• Creating a Therapy Agenda
• Discharge Letter
• How Do I Know When I’m Ready to Move Out?
• Token Scoresheet
• Policy Examples
• Resident Code of Conduct Agreement
• Commitment Description & Commitment Agreement
• Six Commandments of Successful CLP Resident
• Weekly To Do Task List

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30 Day Discharge Letter

72 Hour Discharge Letter

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Outcomes

& Reporting

Outcomes �Report�(example)

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Objectives

Report

(example)

Summary �Report�(example)

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5-Year

Results

(example)

Framework Summary

If we want these kids to be successful, then we’ve got to give them what we’d give any kid who is successful.

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1. Safe, supervised, fully stocked home (external resources).
2. Staffed by principled, positive adults (parental attention).
3. Structured curriculum facilitated daily (internal resources).
4. Monitor for compliance and outcomes reporting (accountability)
5. Graduates transition to affordable housing with skilled wage jobs.

Many people believe that happiness comes from success, health and great human connections. The inverse of this principle is actually the statement that is most true; success, health, and great human connections are the inevitable result of being happy.

THANK YOU!

2023

Phone:

775-240-2195

Email:

Monica@nyep.org