Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1781 Step by Step Residence
Requester:	Verneda Turnquist		Organization:		Step by Step Residence, Inc.
Project Title:	Step by Step Residence		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 4:36:36 PM
District Member:	Mandy Dawson		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Palm Beach
Recipient:	Step by Step Residence, Inc.		Contact:		Verneda Turnquist
	4910 Pinewood Avenue & 1010 Adam St.		Contact Phone:		(561) 863-0028
	West Palm Beach 33407
Project Description:
The Step-By-Step Residence, program is a non-profit organization designed and structured to address the growing social problem of homelessness among women. In Palm Beach County, many of these women are seeking shelter and utilizing Step-By-Step Residence, Inc., as a springboard to overcoming their emergency and transitional homelessness. The program receives requests for emergency and transitional shelter daily. Step-By-Step is registered with the Homeless Coalition, Homeless Hotline and Homeless Outreach. It also receives referrals from the 45th Street Mental Health Program, Law Enforcement Agencies, Hospitals, Churches and many other agencies that are aware of the growing need for placement throughout the County. In addition to providing shelter, this program offers a multitude of supportive services which facilitates healthier lifestyles. Step-By-Step interfaces with local, state and federal agencies for the purpose of tapping resources available to and for these women. Often times these women are too vulnerable, too aberrant, too frightened, too lost, too unfamiliar and too needy to sort through the maze of bureaucracy; without a "safe place" shelter they are unable to effectively address their needs. Step-By-Step provides that "safe place." The Program's goals are focused on helping women to develop lifestyle changes and new patterns of thinking and behaving. These healthy lifestyle changes will allow these women to return to society more productive, more functional and stable.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Step-By-Step Residence, Inc., believes that all individuals are our community's most valuable commodity; therefore Step-By-Step is committed to providing quality services to homeless women. Our program offers women an opportunity for restructuring their futures and it assists these women in developing positive and responsible attitudes and behaviors. Step-By-Step offers the following: (1) a twenty-four (24) hour referral hotline; (2) Temporary Housing; (3) Confidential Consultation; (3) Occupational placement; (4) Educational assessments and referrals; (5) Local transportation (Bus passes); (6) Active involvement in a 12 Step Program; (7) Alcohol/Drug Free Environment; (8) Public Assistance Referrals; (9) Medical Treatment Referrals; (10) Mental Health Referrals; (11) Alcohol and/or drug treatment referrals (Detox); (12) Travelers Aid; (13) Introduction to Financial Planning; The program offers solutions to everyday crisis through referral services, counseling, educational and occupational placement. Step-By-Step also provides support and guidance to women in need of healthier lifestyles, effective coping strategies. The benefits of this program includes assisting the State of Florida in: (1) Intervening and addressing the problem of homelessness among women; (2) Reducing the number and incidents of women "at risk" and "on the streets.; (3) Providing crisis intervention, information and referrals; (4) Offering a supportive and structures program which is conducive of healthier and more productive lifestyles
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
This Program will be deemed successful when the following is accomplished. One hundred (100) women participating in the Step-By-Step Residence, Inc., Program will regain their self-sufficiency status as indicated by: (1) Obtaining the necessary identification (birth certificate, pictured I.D., domicile) and; (2) Actively seeking and obtaining employment or; (3) Enrolling and completing educational programs or; (4) Participating in and following through on rehabilitative and twelve step programs or; (5) Receiving medical and mental health treatment or; (6) Attending conflict and anger management classes and/or seminars. The women of Step-By-Step will return to society as women who are positive, productive and healthier members of this community.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$1,073,000
Total cost of the project:		$157,300

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Yes
				In-Kind Amount:		$50,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?						No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$100,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						No
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	1998 Census & Survey of the Homeless Population of Palm Beach County
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Yes
	Hearing Body:	Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	02/01/2000