BRANCHING OUT BEYOND TEMPORARY SHELTER

Continuing Support After Families Leave The NEST

Branching Out encompasses the second phase of support we provide after guests move into their own homes. We offer services for up to 12 months after our families exit our emergency shelter program, better ensuring our guests’ long-term stability and limiting returns to homelessness. Last year, 94% of families did NOT return to shelter within one year of moving into permanent housing.

FMF offers a professional support network of highly trained staff, strong community partners, and volunteers. Case managers develop customized action plans for each family and maintain ongoing support in person and by phone. Participating families are invited to continue taking part in onsite programming and are notified about upcoming events like visits from dental and eyecare clinics. A parent enrolled in Branching Out told staff that she values aftercare because once it ends, “You’ll have the resources you need or know where to go.”

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal for our families, and our Branching Out aftercare program helps make that goal a reality.