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SBY initiates new respite and family strengthening program
3rd of October 2007
This summer the District of Columbia announced a major new public policy initiative to prevent entry of troubled youth into the child welfare system. Following a competitive application process, Sasha Bruce Youthwork was selected as the sole community based agency to spearhead this project, and in late September we opened our doors to the first set of young people to our new Respite and Family Strengthening Program.
Sasha Bruce’s newest program combines short-term shelter with ongoing aftercare activities for youth who have had significant conflict with family members or guardians. 24/7 emergency access to short term shelter will give disconnected youth a safe place and the opportunity for our staff to engage overwhelmed guardians in positive parenting education. After we have cooled off the immediate crisis, we will reunite youth with their families and continuoulsy engage all in a wide range of services delivered in the home and at our community facilities. For more information on this promising new project, which is a five-year partnership with DC’s Child and Family Services Agency, contact the Director, Michell Stanley at 544-6261.