As part of the changing face of public housing, Rock Island Housing Authority (RIHA) is assisting public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants in their efforts to become financially self-sufficient, economically independent and less dependent upon government assistance. The program designed to provide this assistance is the RIHA Self Sufficiency Program.

Together, the experienced staff of RIHA and its partners provide the expertise and resources necessary to carry out and sustain the on-going success of RIHA Self Sufficiency activities. As part of the Self Sufficiency Program, RIHA identified appropriate partners, established quantifiable goals and outcomes, hired a Self Sufficiency administrator, provide case manager(s), and trained appropriate RIHA staff. RIHA oversees the program by analyzing needs, identifying barriers, developing solutions, and evaluating results ensuring the overall success of participants and the effectiveness of programs and the program partners.

RIHA case managers develop customized action plans for each participant, provide one-on-one mentoring, case management, support, and act as an advocate for the family as required ensuring success. These activities enable public housing residents and HCV participants to acquire the knowledge and skills required to become economically independent and self-sufficient.

RIHA Self Sufficiency programs are sustained through Grant dollars and Resident Services Operating funds.

RIHA provides the on-going public relations, communications, and marketing efforts required to ensure long-term community support and the participation of all RIHA current and future residents in its Self Sufficiency programs.

Program Questionnaire
RIHA utilizes a questionnaire to determine needs, required training, services, and counseling programs wanted by all current public housing residents and HCV participants. The questionnaire resulted in the identification of program partners and related services and service providers. The questionnaire is also used to assist Case Managers in the development of customized action plans for each participant. While each new public housing resident and all new voucher holders are required to complete a questionnaire, program participation is voluntary.

Memorandum of Understanding
The RIHA partner agreements, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), detail the services provided by each partner organization. The agreements are results oriented, and include quantifiable goals and outcomes that can be used to measure the progress of the programs provided, and allow for changes in activities as required. As part of Case Management and Tracking activities, RIHA receives reports from its partners regarding each participant; the training provided to the participant, and the outcomes of that training.

Program Recruitment
RIHA conducts on-going public relations, communications, and marketing efforts required to recruit participants including low- and moderate-income persons, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and minorities.

Participant Evaluation
RIHA utilizes a one-one-one interview to evaluate participants and a questionnaire to determine the types and extent of training and support, mentoring, and counseling each requires. Based on the questionnaire and a one-on-one interview, Case Managers develop customized action plans recommending programs such as credit repair, budgeting, employment counseling, continuing education, life skills training, and a plethora of services designed to assist participants in their efforts to become financially self-sufficient and less dependent upon direct government housing assistance.

Customized Action Plan
Based on the outcome of the evaluation, RIHA provides participants with a customized Action Plan to:

1.	Participate in outcome based Self Sufficiency activities with a strong case management component focused on predetermined goals including basic life skills training, job training, continuing education, or other types of counseling and/or training to improve their quality of life;
2.	Participate in programs such as financial literacy training, budgeting, credit repair, and other activities transitioning participants toward financial independence and/or homeownership readiness training; and
3.	Homeownership readiness training.

Measurable Goals and Outcomes: Each action plan will include measurable goals and outcomes established by the RIHA Case Manager and the participant.

Self Sufficiency Coordinator: The Self Sufficiency Coordinator keeps all service providers accountable and oversees the program by analyzing program needs, identifying barriers to success, developing solutions, and evaluating the results. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the overall success of participating residents, the effectiveness of the programs, and the program partners, and making changes in activities as necessary.

Case Managers: Case Managers conduct monthly family progress reviews with each participant to review goals. Case Managers also act as advocates for families as required throughout the process providing on-going mentoring, counseling, and additional support as required.

Case Management Activities include:

1.	Conducting a questionnaire to determine needs, required training, and services. The questionnaire results in the development of customized action plans
2.	Conducting the interviews required to prepare the Individual Action Plans for each participant
3.	Establishing a timeline for achievement and monitoring the progress of each participant
4.	Making appropriate referrals to those resources and service providers that will help participants succeed in achieving the goals detailed in their customized action plan(s)
5.	Managing weekly and monthly reports to and from service providers on the progress of each participant and the effectiveness of the programs provided, making changes and improvements as required
6.	Acting as an advocate for the families as required

Tracking: A software program assists Case Managers and the Program Coordinator in assessing:

	Who is participating
	With which partners
	With what products, services, and/or programs
	Key details from each customized action plan
	What action steps have been recommended by Case Managers
	What action steps were taken by participants
	-  What were the results
	What action steps were not taken by participants
	-  Why/why not
	Evaluate overall Plan including
	-  Partners -  Programs/services -  Participants for improvement

Coordination: All RIHA Self Sufficiency activities are consistent with state and local welfare reform requirements and goals. Activities are coordinated with the efforts of other service providers including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and state and local programs and social service agencies.