Moving In explores the positive and negative aspects of ten Independent Living, Transitional Living and combined IL-TL programs across the country. The book is designed to stimulate new ideas and give providers a clear picture of how they can develop their own programs. It does a superior job at that, I must say.
An enormous amount of helpful information is offered here and it's based on firsthand, real-life experience with youth taking part in these programs. As editor Kroner says, "youth participating in independent living programs without actual housing experience is like taking a driver's training course without the car."
In other words, the best life skills training programs on the planet can't be fully effective without offering youth a chance to put those skills to use in the real world. A long time ago the philosopher Aristotle made the same point, saying, "One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try."
Moving In offers agencies new to this area of service and those seeking upgrades to their operations a fine opportunity to read about and compare projects employed in other states. Mr. Kroner, with absolute intention, presents programs as diverse as their locations, and each and every program has something unique to offer the reader. The writers of the programs average over eight years each in the Independent Living field.
Topics such as housing, financial support, life skills training, emotional support/guidance, case management/planning and outreach are discussed in each program. Sections like 'Our Most Common Problems with Clients,' Things Staff Would Like to See Happen' and 'Most Common Staff-Related Problems' present possible pitfalls that may be able to be avoided. Within the programs readers may find as well advice about coping with client evictions, how to give kids a second chance and how that entity dealt with drug and alcohol use. This book covers all the bases.
Some, such as Lighthouse in Ohio and Kenosha in Wisconsin have been functional for over ten years and have demonstrated significant success. And, while most are private organizations, Franklin County Children Service in Ohio, for example, is a well-regarded model of a publicly operated housing-based ILP. Youth Continuum in New Haven, Connecticut, is a successful model that includes both IL and TL programs and sources of funding.
Programs such as Green Chimneys in New York City and the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, D.C. came into being based on the realization of a need to combine IL preparation with cultural realities for certain client groups. Most programs are in urban settings, although Quakerdale in Iowa and the Spectrum program in Vermont exist in small to medium-sized towns. The Nevada project focuses on youth in correctional systems, and Open-In in Tucson demonstrates how multiple funding sources can create comprehensive programs serving a wide age range.
Older youth lacking stable family support are an extremely vulnerable faction of our society. This smart, empathetic book is a must read for caring providers who create the broad-based programs that give those youth a chance at viable, productive lives.
Marilyn von Qualen
