Reunifying Single-Parent Families with Special Needs

This article describes how single-parent families separated by homelessness, parental mental disability, and, often, substance abuse are reunited by the Emerson-Davis Family Center (Center), a demonstration project of the Institute of Community Living, Inc., in New York City. Experience with this project suggests that a well-designed congregate care apartment program can be used to create a nurturing home for recovering adults and their young children. In addition to residential services, the Center directly provides or case manages a comprehensive array of family clinical, educational, and preventive services. The project's methods are promising in both human and fiscal terms.