Keeping Families Together
Acenda’s Keeping Families Together (KFT) offers safe, permanent housing and ongoing wraparound services to all family members housed. KFT is a statewide model that helps families enhance their emotional, physical, educational/vocational and financial wellbeing and overall stability. Clients are able to continue KFT services as long as housing vouchers remain valid.
We’re here to help with:
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Trauma
Providing support to navigate traumatic events and aid in the healing process.
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Family Conflict
Providing guidance and support to resolve family conflicts and strengthen relationships.
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Substance Abuse
Offering support and treatment options for managing substance use and promoting recovery.
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Homelessness
Connecting you with services and support to address housing instability and achieve stability.
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Community Resources
Connecting you to important resources to guide you through your wellness journey.
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Parenting Support
Offering guidance and resources to help parents navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and promote healthy family dynamics.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Keeping Families Together services, you must:
- Have an open case with DCP&P at the time of referral
- Meet homelessness criteria
- Have no registered sex offenders living within your household
- Have no household members convicted of drug-related crime/activity for the manufacturing of methamphetamine in federally subsidized housing
- Have physical and legal custody of the children within your family, or are able to be reunified within 30-60 days of securing housing if in out-of-home placement
- Not exceed income limits per SRAP and HCV guidelines
- Not have a previous section 8 eviction
- Not currently occupy another housing voucher
- Fulfill the Tenant Based Vouchers criteria for substance use
- Parents must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Substance use issue (past or present)
- Mental health diagnosis
- DV (past or present)
- Chronic medical condition
- Involved with DCP&P as a child or history of trauma as a child
- Child must meet one of the following criteria:
- Chronic medical condition
- Developmental/learning/physical disability
- Age of the youngest child is under 6 years of age
- Substance use disorder/history
What to Expect
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Getting Started
After your family has been identified by KFT as someone who may benefit from services, a KFT enrollment meeting will be organized with you and your family, DCP&P, and KFT staff. A program overview, client rights, and client responsibilities will be reviewed, and you will begin your section 8 housing voucher application. Additionally, your clinical safety risk assessments will be completed at this time.
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Arranging Services
Services will be provided in person or virtually and will be offered within the home or in the community. Even if your DCP&P case is closed, you can remain in the KFT program for as long as your housing voucher remains valid.
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Moving Forward with Care
The frequency and duration of your meetings with your KFT counselor depends on your family’s needs and availability. Families can remain in KFT for the duration of their voucher, as long as they remain in good standing (typically between 5-15 years).
FAQ’s
How can I be referred to KFT for services?
Families must be referred to KFT by DCP&P and cases are accepted after a voucher slot turnover and case conferencing. KFT does not have a traditional waitlist or referral process.
Can KFT help with my rent arrears or a security deposit?
Only KFT families who are currently in the program are eligible to receive financial assistance.
Where are KFT services offered?
Acenda runs the KFT programs in the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem. If you do not reside within one of these counties, reach out to your DCP&P case manager to request for a referral to the KFT team in your county.
How do I qualify for KFT services?
To be eligible for Keeping Families Together services, you must:
- Have an open case with DCP&P at the time of referral
- Meet homelessness criteria
- Have no registered sex offenders living within your household
- Have no household members convicted of drug-related crime/activity for the manufacturing of methamphetamine in federally subsidized housing
- Have physical and legal custody of the children within your family, or are able to be reunified within 30-60 days of securing housing if in out-of-home placement
- Not exceed income limits per SRAP and HCV guidelines
- Not have a previous section 8 eviction
- Not currently occupy another housing voucher
- Fulfill the Tenant Based Vouchers criteria for substance use
- Parents must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Substance use issue (past or present)
- Mental health diagnosis
- DV (past or present)
- Chronic medical condition
- Involved with DCP&P as a child or history of trauma as a child
- Child must meet one of the following criteria:
- Chronic medical condition
- Developmental/learning/physical disability
- Age of the youngest child is under 6 years of age
- Substance use disorder/history
