Safe Housing: The Issue 

Research shows that in the Richmond region, finding and keeping stable, affordable housing is a major struggle for low-income individuals and families and that housing issues are a cause for the removal of children into foster care.  A study in 2015 by the Partnership for Housing Affordability found approximately 35% of families in the Richmond region are cost burdened or spending more than 30%1. of their monthly income for housing. The cost burden of housing is an issue across all income levels, but it clearly presents more problems for families living below the poverty level. The study also highlights research that has proven the importance of stable housing on the wellbeing of an individual or family.

In January of 2018, approximately 16.28% of the children in foster care in the state of Virginia were removed from their families primarily due to insufficient housing (VDSS, 2018a)2. We were not able to gather specific data regarding the number of women whose children are in foster care who have significant housing needs. Four professionals in the field working with Patty’s Hope’ target population were asked to estimate this number and most felt it was around 40%. This percentage represents women who may be living in their car, in a temporary shelter, or “couch surfing.” Couch surfing is a term used for people who move from place to place using friends and family for temporary housing.

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Trauma Care: The Issue

More research is being conducted on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) than ever before.  We are learning how one’s traumatic experiences lead to an increased risk of many negative health implications, mental health concerns, and adoption of health-risk behaviors (Felitti et al, 1998)3.  

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) produced a fact sheet for child welfare workers highlighting how a history of trauma may be impacting the biological parents of child in the child welfare system. Parents ability to make sound judgements may be compromised. They may also have difficulty forming and maintaining positive relationships, or even identifying which relationships are positive and helpful versus those that are harmful. A history of trauma may also affect a parent’s coping strategies, emotional regulation, and decision-making ability (NCTSN, 2011)4.

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Not all DSS clients get referred for group or individual counseling, but they are referred to parenting groups.  One professional from Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) explained that the SCAN parenting group, in which most Richmond Department of Social Services (RDSS) clients are referred for parenting, is actually a therapeutic group not a parenting class. They spend three of the twenty weeks on trauma and encourage clients to explore how their own trauma affects their parenting. This professional believes 90% of the participants in their groups need individual counseling but can’t access it due to a lack of availability, lack of insurance, or other barriers.

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Life Skills: The Issue

The target demographic of Patty’s Hope reportedly struggles with life skills, such as budgeting, navigating finding and keeping a job, and maintaining a residence.  These are likely major barriers preventing them from living healthy, stable lives and being a positive influence in their children’s lives.  Many of the professionals we spoke with felt this is a major need for women who fall outside of transitional living programs designed for 18-21 year olds.

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Healthy Community: The Issue

Research shows a correlation between positive, healthy relationships and engagement with the community as factors that reduce child maltreatment and parental stress (CDC, 2014). Research by Iowa’s Department of Human Services found that families with one case of founded abuse were more likely to experience repeat maltreatment if they had a lack of social support (Children and Family Services, 2009).