La Casita (The Little House)
La Casita is a NYSOASAS licensed residential treatment program for eighty-nine homeless women and their children and/or pregnant, which provides a comprehensive range of services for families. Services include substance abuse group and individual counseling and intervention, mental health services, educational/vocational services, medical assessment and monitoring care, HIV education, life skills training, parenting training, family counseling, recreational activities and a comprehensive on-site child care program. The program includes one and a half years of intensive treatment in residence and follows a modified therapeutic community model, including gradual progress through a level system in which participants earn privileges and take on increasing responsibility for their recovery, their families and their future.
When families complete the residential component of the program, they are assisted in locating permanent housing, including La Casita II and La Casita III, which are reserved for families completing this program. The achievement of “Live Out Status” is followed by a six to nine month aftercare program of counseling and monitoring, leading to graduation.
La Casita’s program is sponsored by NYSOASAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and the New York City Office of Residential Treatment Monitoring.
Eligibility: The program admits women and one to three children up to the age of seven. Women must be homeless prior to admission and able to participate in a long-term, drug-free program. Women experiencing active withdrawal symptoms will be referred to a hospital based detoxification service prior to admission. Candidates for La Casita must complete an initial assessment, which includes an assessment from one of UBP’s mental health consultants at UBP’s Central Intake, followed by interviews with La Casita’s Social Services, Medical, Clinical, Child Care departments. If it is determined that admission to La Casita is not in the candidate’s best interest, they will be assisted in being placed in another treatment setting by UBP’s Central Intake.
Currently, La Casita is admitting a small number of Women who are on Methadone and hopes to be able to increase these numbers after working out the details. UBP has no age limit for women. Currently, UBP is servicing a Grandmother with her Grandchild!