We work with local schools and community organizations to provide pro bono mental health support to students and their families who are experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for Pro Bono Services with GHF, individuals or at least one member of the family seeking mental health services must meet the following criteria:
1. Unsheltered or Sheltered Homelessness
2. Referral from a medical, social service, or educational community organization or professional
3. Have no insurance coverage
4. Must reside within Polk County zip codes
Application Process:
To be considered a recipient of pro bono services, the individual is required to setup and participate in an eligibility screening during the intake process. This screening will include an in-person or phone interview, along with the completion of questionnaires and assessment forms to assess the applicant’s financial situation, mental health needs, and other relevant factors.
Definitions of Homelessness:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
- An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation, or
- An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence (within 14 days), provided that no subsequent housing has been identified and the individual/family lacks support networks or resources needed to obtain housing, or
- Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth who qualify under other Federal statutes, such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment, or
- An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing
2. McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless:
- Children and youths who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and includes
- Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;*
- Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
- Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
- Migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).