Our Programs
Our programs are designed to enrich the lives of children and families experiencing homelessness with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to break the cycles of homelessness and poverty.
Early Childhood Education – Housing Services – Healthcare Services (formerly CAPN Clinics) – Employment Training Services – Family Services
Early Childhood Education
The research is definitive: The years between birth and age 5 set the stage for a child’s ability to become a healthy, independent adult. By mitigating the effects of homelessness on young children and closing the developmental gap between them and their housed peers, we are tackling homelessness at its source. Long-term studies by groups such as the Perry Preschool Project and the Chicago Child-Parent Center Program have shown that investing in children at this early age pays incredible dividends: Every dollar spent yields as much as $16 for the children and our community.
Operating year-round from three site locations, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides children experiencing homelessness with a rich learning environment that nurtures their physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional development. Through a dynamic curriculum and individualized lesson plans, Our House places special focus on building pre-literacy skills, confidence and resiliency. The daily practices and policies of Our House’s ECE program pave the way for children’s school readiness and future success.
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday
7:00am – 6:00pm
Ages Served:
6 weeks – 5 years old
Onsite Services:
- Immunizations & periodic health check-ups
- Formal developmental assessments
- Onsite special education intervention services
In addition to nurturing the physical, cognitive, language and socio-emotional development of each child, the curricula used at Our House places special focus on developing the following skills and attributes:
- Pre-literacy skills
- Self-help skills
- Confidence and resiliency
The Early Childhood Education program accepts new children based on age-appropriate slot availability. To inquire about openings, please fill out our Get Help form.
Housing Services
The cornerstone of our Housing Services program is our shelter for homeless families with children 5 years or younger. Located in the City of Atlanta, the shelter provides homeless families with up to six months of housing in a safe and caring environment. The 76-bed facility has 18 individual family bedrooms. The program provides families with between 2-7 members with a private room, daily nutritious meals, laundry services and a weekly provision of infant and personal care items. In addition, shelter residents receive free childcare, job training and case management, delivered through our other core programs.
In addition to the supportive services received through our Family Advocacy program, shelter residents participate in weekly education sessions, life-skills activities and an income-savings program. The goal of the program is to provide families with the shelter and resources they need to achieve regular employment and improve their housing stability.
Note: Our House is not an emergency shelter that takes individuals immediately. Please follow the guideline below.
To qualify for services:
- Families must have at least one child, 5 years or younger.
- Parents must submit a background check.
- Families must complete the “Get Help” and “Background” forms below.
The Housing Services program accepts new families based on availability of space. To inquire about availability, click Get Help below or call (404) 522-6056.
Healthcare Services
Our House Health’s Care Delivery Model: A Nursing Model – The nursing model places individuals, families, and communities at the center of care delivery. Along with a shared-decision making approach, we provide low-barrier, equitable care for all that empowers our patients and strengthens our communities. We deliver the highest quality, holistic care and employ evidence-based practices to promote whole-person well-being and help our patients lead healthier lives. Operating from 4 locations throughout metro-Atlanta, our services are free-of-charge and available through walk-in visits.
Our House Health is a Community Health Program providing:
- Preventative Health
- Reproductive Health
- Mental Health
- Chronic Care and Sick Care
- Interprofessional Education
Specialties
Immunizations and Vaccinations, Specialized Pediatric Care, Physical Exams, STI Testing and Treatment, Birth Control, Breast Exams, Mental Health Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling, Referrals (Dental, Vision, Pregnancy, and Emergency), and Case Management
Employment Training Services
Overcoming homelessness is almost impossible without stable and adequate employment. Providing individuals experiencing homelessness with job training skills and resources they need to secure and sustain employment is critical to helping adults break the cycle of homelessness.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification Training
The cornerstone of our Employment Training Services is our Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification Training program. This 5-month program empowers and equips participants with the skills needed to work in the growing childcare sector. We provide free training and a paid internship, which prepares participants to earn their national CDA certification, which is an important credential for entry into the field of early childhood education, and required for many positions in ECE in Georgia. As an accredited program through the NAEYC, Our House is training our future early childhood education work force.
Eligibility requirements for the program are as follows:
- Have a GED/High School Diploma
- Currently residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or have a qualifying low-income status
- Able to commit to 8 hrs. per day, Monday – Friday, for structured training sessions and hands-on work experience
- Have a desire to work with children and make a positive difference in their development
- Provide a satisfactory criminal background check clearance
Career Development & Life Skills Workshops
In addition to the CDA Certification Training program, Our House offers regular career development and life skills workshops. Workshops cover a wide range of topics and provide training on essential soft skills, such as resume writing, interviewing skills, professional etiquette and conflict resolution strategies, which enhance participants’ ability to obtain and maintain employment.
Life skills workshops foster the development of financial management skills (e.g., budgeting, managing debt), health and wellness practices, as well as the development of healthy parenting skills. Parents are encouraged by their Family Advocates to apply the skills and strategies acquired in the workshops in their search for employment, housing and other critical resources.
Family Services
Families enrolled in each of our core programs – Early Childhood Education, Housing Services, or Employment Training Services – receive individualized case management through our Family Support Services program. Each family is assigned a Family Advocate, who offers the support and resources needed to gain financial stability and permanent housing.
The Family Support Services team provides the following services to parents in all core programs:
- Individualized case management
- Goal setting and action planning
- Referrals for onsite counseling services
- Resource identification and referrals to mainstream benefits
- Regular educational workshops
- Employment and job training opportunities
The Family Support Services program plays a vital role in Our House’s mission. The support that Advocates provide to parents, ultimately, enables them to overcome homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency.
Rapid Rehousing
Our House to Your House
Rapid Rehousing is a program designed to quickly connect families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing. It does so by combining financial assistance to offset move in costs, case management services and housing identification to create plans tailored to each family. The purpose of the program is to solve the financial and immediate challenges families face that prevent them from finding housing. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the time that families experience homelessness by finding housing and eliminating barriers to losing that housing.
Our House has partnered with a variety of agencies and local governments such as the United Way, DeKalb County, the City of Atlanta, Partners for Home and more to be able to provide this services to families. Current funds available allow staff to find housing and offer such services to residents of DeKalb County or the City of Atlanta Proper.
To Qualify For Assistance:
- Families must have at least one child
- Families must reside in one of the funding areas
- Parents must be prepared to participate actively in program activities
In addition to providing financial assistance to assist with move in costs, Our House’s specialized team of coordinators and family advocates also provide the following services to best support families as they transition:
- Individualized case management
- Referrals for housing, employment and mental health services
- Regular education workshops
To get started, families need to reach out to the coordinated entry for their area:
City of Atlanta/Fulton County Residents: Click Get Help Below
DeKalb County Residents: Call 404-687-3500