DaySpring

PROGRAMS

Dayspring Programs, Inc. provides a continuum of services that are family-centered, individualized and provide comprehensive, coordinated services to families. It supports participants and encourages progressive acceptance of more individual responsibility as they grow in the recovery process.

TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING

The Dayspring Village facility provides housing and substance abuse treatment services for 18 women and their children. Dayspring Village is certified as a long term residential treatment program. Families are provided with case management and a variety of support services to help them maintain recovery, stabilize the family situation both economically and emotionally, and begin the process of moving to permanent housing and more independent living. Health, mental health, parenting programs, youth substance abuse prevention programs and a number of other services support the families in their efforts. Dayspring is unique among programs by the linking of housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling and support services. The importance of integrated programs to successful outcomes for addicted women has been documented by research and emphasized by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Dayspring is the only such program in Baltimore that focuses on the needs of children, programming to ensure their successful growth and development. Dayspring is the only residential treatment facility in Baltimore City that allows more than two children in a family and children up to age 16 to reside with their mothers during drug treatment.

Dayspring families participate in the Shelter Plus Care Supportive Housing program. Rental assistance is provided on a sliding scale for up to five years while families work toward greater self-sufficiency. This program provides case management and supportive services to assist families to maintain recovery, to secure or advance in employment and to ensure that children are enrolled in school or appropriate pre-school programs and provided with support services they need to succeed in school.

The Follow-Up Program maintains contact and provides services as needed to families who have moved from Dayspring housing into other permanent housing. The program also seeks to involve participants in mentoring current program participants. This contact will also allow longer-term evaluation of the Dayspring housing programs.

Dayspring Housing services are HUD funded through the Baltimore Homeless Services (BHS). BHS provides technical assistance and assists Dayspring to improve methods of gathering and maintaining demographic information and tracking the progress on program and family goals through the ROSIE computerized system.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY PROGRAMS

Dayspring and Herring Run Head Start Programs

Dayspring began management of a second Head Start Program, Herring Run Head Start beginning July, 2007. Our experience as a delegate agency for Dayspring Head Start has enhanced our mission to children and their families as we continue to support parents’ efforts to create a safe and caring environment for their children and encourage healthy growth and development. The children receive services with a special emphasis on the problems they face due to poverty, homelessness and substance abuse, common issue for many families. Currently, we serve 255 children in Dayspring Head Start. Funding is received from Baltimore City Head Start, the grantor agency.

Prevention Programs

Support groups, prevention education and recreational activities are designed to break the destructive substance abuse cycle and create a family and community support system that helps children grow strong and healthy. Funding for Prevention Activities is from the Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems.

HISTORY

Dayspring was initiated as a project of the Coalition for Homeless Children and Families in 1995 under the auspices of the YWCA of Greater Baltimore. In 1997, Dayspring Programs, Inc. was incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) and continued to serve families in scattered site supportive housing. In 2001, Dayspring Village Transitional Housing opened in east Baltimore. We now serve up to 84 families at any given time in our housing programs. In 2003, Dayspring became a Head Start delegate agency. In 2007, Dayspring became the delegate agency for Herring Run Head Start.