Social Services

When there is exposure to poverty, abuse, and neglect, a child’s development can be severely damaged and/or delayed. Young children living in extreme poverty are especially at risk for developmental regression and emotional trauma.

The Social Services Department recognizes the unique needs of children plagued by homelessness and seeks to offer services to help them overcome those challenges and succeed developmentally, socially and emotionally by providing children and families with professional, strength-based, comprehensive, and culturally competent care.
Services include:

Clinical case management for every family in our care.

• On-site Mental Health Consultant to work with children and families to address any mental health concerns and provide additional community based care once they leave the Alcove.
• Bilingual counseling services in English and Spanish.
• Parent Education Program aimed at increasing parents’ knowledge of child development and effective parenting techniques.
• Access to free well-child check-ups, immunizations, treatment, referrals, vision and hearing screenings, and dental care provided in collaboration with Parkland Hospital’s Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES) van and Community Dental Care.
• On-site nurse who checks the children for illnesses, and educates and consults with parents.
• Connections & Support aftercare program designed to assist families with information, referrals and service linkages after they have exited the Alcove’s childcare services and established housing following a period of homelessness.
• Referrals to community resources such as WIC, food stamps, SCHIP and public housing.
• Extensions Program is funded in part by HUD for 10 off-site child care slots. This program allows the Alcove to place children in other childcare centers in the community to address the issues of distance and safety.