The Resilient Family Toolkit: Promoting Family Resiliency after Homelessness

Background: In the United States there are an estimated 171,575 homeless families and the rate is rising even with increased funding and housing support programs. Nearly 35% of the homeless population in Utah are families with minor children. Out of these families, nearly 70% are led by single mothers, and it is estimated that 25-40% have mental health concerns. The Housing First model is a national re-housing program used at The Road Home (TRH) in Salt Lake City, Utah which greatly reduces barriers to end homelessness and places families in stable housing. To provide a tangible resource to support families who have been re-housed through TRH, and assist families on a path of self-reliance and resiliency, a Family Resilient Toolkit was developed. Methods: A Family Resiliency Toolkit was implemented to strengthen the family unit, minimize stressors of reintegration, and community resources. TRH program case managers were educated on the toolkit and asked about feasibility, usability, and satisfaction. Fourteen families were included in the project based on Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) screening and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores. Pre-and-postintervention, families took the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). They also answered questions about usability and satisfaction with the toolkit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis for the open- ended questions. Results: Paired samples t-test of the pre-and-post intervention DASS 21 results demonstrated statistical significance. Pre-intervention means of DASS-21 subscales were 4.94 (SD=1.75) for stress; 4.06 (SD=1.83) for depression; and 2.16 (SD=2.12) for anxiety. The post-DASS-21 mean subscales were 3.55 (SD=1.75) for stress; 2.33 (SD= 1.79) for depression; and 0.90 (SD= 1.41) for anxiety, all showing statically significant difference (p <.001). The THR team (n=6) and families (n=14) reported a high level of usability, feasibility, and satisfaction with the toolkit. Conclusions: The Family Resilient Toolkit is a valuable resource for families that are placed in housing after homelessness, with statistical significance in the reduction of the parental stress, depression, and anxiety reported in the DASS-21. The toolkit serves as a resource for the THR team while working with families to provide relevant community resources and steps to create family resiliency.