Bridge of Hope BuxMont’s Intake Procedure

Referrals are currently received from individual families, social service agencies, shelters and churches.

Initial inquiries are asked preliminary questions to determine whether or not the applicant meets basic criteria for the program which currently means the family is single income, the parent has a G.E.D., is at least 20 years of age and is homeless or “at risk” of homeless.

Initial inquiries are given referrals, information or resources as it pertains to their needs and applicants are forwarded an application, if appropriate to their needs.

When applications are received a confirmation letter is sent acknowledging that the applicant will be contacted for an interview when program space is available.

When an interview is conducted, program staff ask the applicant to provide 3 references and their respective contact information. References are professional who have worked with the applicant in a social service or professional setting.

After the references and initial interview have been conducted, the program staff reviews each applicant’s information. At this point, the applicant is notified if the program committee will schedule a second interview to proceed with the process or terminate the application process.

The second interview will be held to establish the applicant’s goals in the Bridge of Hope BuxMont program. Acceptance will then be confirmed.

Detailed Procedure

Bridge of Hope BuxMont is not emergency housing.  The application process is usually five to seven weeks in length and is dependent upon family suitability for the program and the availability of mentoring groups.

  1. Referrals to Bridge of Hope BuxMont are received from shelters, other social service agencies or churches who have worked with the applicant for a period of time.  A referral agency or person should not feel forced by the client to make the referral.  Self-referrals can be taken if they are not connected to any social service agency.  They must also meet the criteria for appropriate referrals.
  1. A telephone interview is held with the referral agency to establish if the applicant meets the preliminary qualifications for appropriate referrals.  Bridge of Hope BuxMont will then mail the person an application form and “Is Bridge of Hope BuxMont Right for Me?” 
  1. Applicants must complete the intake application form and return it to Bridge of Hope BuxMont.
  1. Bridge of Hope BuxMont staff will review the applicant information and interview prospective applicants.  Applicants will be made fully aware of the expectations of Bridge of Hope BuxMont and sign appropriate release forms.  The references may be contacted to discuss the applicant’s appropriateness for the program.  At least three reference forms will be sent out to persons who have worked with the client in a social service setting.
  1. Bridge of Hope BuxMont’s Director and Intake Panel will review the application material.  A decision will be made to either conduct a second interview with the applicant or terminate the application process.  Some applications may require a third interview.  If the applicant is not accepted, a letter will be sent to the person and their referral source.
  1. Once a family has been accepted into the program, the staff will then introduce the family to their mentoring group.
  1. After meeting the mentors, a program participant can, with the assistance of the mentoring group, look for suitable housing in the geographical area of the mentoring group.  Families are eligible for full rental subsidy for the security deposit and the first month’s rent.  The amount and length of rental subsidy is based on the job-training status and current prospective employment and is generally granted on a decreasing basis.  (75%, 50%, 25%) over 6-12 months.  Program length can range from 12-24 months (average length-18 months), with Bridge of Hope BuxMont staff following up after a person is financially self-sufficient to ensure continued stability.
  1. Bridge of Hope BuxMont has the right to discontinue family rental subsidy if the family repeatedly fails to adhere to the service contract or service agreement.  If this occurs, Bridge of Hope BuxMont will discontinue all other services provided by Bridge of Hope BuxMont to the family.  The family would then be given a list of emergency housing resources.  Since Bridge of Hope BuxMont does not co-sign leases, the woman may continue living in the unit if she is not in violation of the lease agreement.

Program Goals & Objectives

Ending homelessness for single-parent families in Montgomery and Bucks Counties by connecting them to professional case management and trained mentoring groups from local churches in order that the families achieve permanent housing, financial self-sufficiency, and family stability.
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Bridge of Hope Model

Bridge of Hope Model: A Three-Way Partnership.
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Mentoring Description

A mentoring group is comprised of 10-12 people from one congregation who provide practical assistance, friendship and support to one family participating in the Bridge of Hope BuxMont program.
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Referral Guidelines

Appropriate referrals for Bridge of Hope BuxMont are single-parent families who are presently homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
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Intake & Referral Procedure

Bridge of Hope BuxMont is not emergency housing.  The application process is usually five to seven weeks in length and is dependent upon family suitability for the program and the availability of mentoring groups.
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