It is difficult for many citizens to lead self-sufficient, drug-free lives. This goal can be even more difficult to attain in Key West, FL, a city in which 46 percent of workers are employed in service fields and seldom earn the $17.65 hourly living wage. The hedonistic values associated with tourism and the stress associated with the high cost of living can make substance abuse a significant problem for families. To promote healthy, independent lives, the Key West Housing Authority created Campus South, a 12-18 month educational program available to individuals who are residents of, or are eligible for, public housing. The program provides intensive and personalized intervention services to lead participants and their children to have little or no need for public assistance.
Campus South's first graduation class consisted of 12 women and 3 men: two Latinos/Hispanics (13%), four African-Americans (27%), and nine whites/Anglos (60%). Standardized evaluation instruments include Addiction Severity Index, Coopersmith Inventory, Parenting Stress Index, Quality of Life Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90R, Vocational Readiness Screener, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form.
Mean results for all graduates and for women find that the program empowers participants to maintain employment and to reduce their reliance on public assistance. Participants also reported abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and an increase in overall family cohesiveness. Additional results point to a positive influence on physical symptoms of ill health and on perceptions of overall health. Participants' comments on program improvements and recommendations for evaluation enhancement also are discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to 1. Identify the components to an educational program for public housing residents dedicated to eliminating their reliance on public assistance--including public housing apartments. 2. Articulate the benefits on the first group of adult graduates and on their family units. 3. Discuss the refinements made to the program as a result to these evaluation results.
Keywords: Welfare Reform, Family Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.