Extensive Case Management
Extensive Case Management is key to the mission of Pettengill and addresses the multi-level needs of clients. In this regard The Pettengill House is successful in implementing on-site managed support services and local and state program coordinated services.
Individuals and families in need many times have significant challenges including mental health disabilities, developmental delays, and environmental and economic challenges. Providing extensive case management services enables Pettengill House staff to address its mission, assisting with needs assessment, education and self sufficiency while breaking down barriers and connecting individuals and families to additional support services and referrals. Pettengill House collaborates closely with community and government agencies including but not limited to Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MassHealth), and Social Security. This case management "wrap around" model is cost effective and set up to utilize expertise while avoiding duplication of services. The Pettengill House, Inc. is also effective in breaking down barriers by providing support and advocacy through building effective and trusting relationships. The goal of this model continues to be empowerment, education, prevention and self sufficiency rather than dependency.
During FY 2011 Pettengill House provided Extensive Case Management, Advocacy and Support Services to 2,646 clients (1,673 adults and 973 children; 504 whom were deemed homeless).
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The Pettengill House Community Partnership
The Pettengill House Community Partnership has been in existence since our inception in 1994. The Pettengill partnership is composed of community residents, business members, and over forty (40) representatives from local and state agencies and organizations. The partnership meets as needed to assess community needs and update Memorandums of Agreement.
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McKinney Vento Homeless Act
McKinney Vento Homeless Act is an unfunded federal mandate passed in 1987 to protect the rights of students who are homeless. This act enables students who have become homeless to remain in their community schools. Identified McKinney criteria includes loss of permanent home, living in cars, substandard buildings, motels, hotels, shelters or camp grounds, state custody, or temporarily sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
Adhering to the McKinney Act requires school districts to provide transportation to and from their community school (within an hour radius), along with free school breakfast and lunch programs and additional academic supports. Working closely with area schools Pettengill House programs provide secondary interventions, advocacy and support services to identified students and their families. The programs include but are not limited to assessment, extensive case management, emergency assistance, basic needs, housing and shelter interventions, and medical and mental health interventions.
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School Link Service Program
The Pettengill House, Inc. firmly believes education to be key in ending poverty and improving quality of life issues for children and families. The Pettengill School Link Service Program is built around breaking barriers and "links" education, home, school and community together in efforts to support area children and families. This unique program originated from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Adopting this model since its inception in 1994, The Pettengill House provides children and their families with education and environmental supports, building upon the School Link Service mission ensuring that "all children come to school ready to learn".
The goals of The Pettengill House, Inc. School Link Service Program is to improve the wellbeing of families to better support their children's education while providing coordination, collaboration and resource sharing among state and local agencies.
In this regard The Pettengill House staff, led by its Executive Director, collaborates closely with area schools including the Triton Regional, Amesbury, Newburyport and Pentucket Regional School District in providing students and their families with extensive case management, family stabilization, basic needs, health services, advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, emergency assistance and prevention education programs.
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School Link Services Program
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- Increased parental involvement
- Improved communications between school and home
- Increase in student grades
- Increase in after-school enrollments
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- Decrease in student absenteeism
- Decrease in student tardiness
- Decrease in student failure
- Decrease in student behavioral intervention
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School and Community Prevention Education Programs
As a lead community agency Pettengill House provides ongoing education within school and community settings. During FY 2011 Pettengill Director and staff presented to several community based organizations and schools regarding best practices and interventions, effects of trauma, along with overview of Pettengill programs and services. Additional education and consultation was provided to school staff pertaining to best practices teaching children who have been traumatized.
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Home Visits and Assessments
As an established community based multi - service agency Pettengill House and its community partnership is called upon to complete ongoing assessments. These assessments range from home assessments to behavioral interventions and mental health, social, emotional and environmental interventions. Pettengill assessments are completed at the request of individuals and families, school districts, local and state agencies, along with law enforcement and service organizations. The goal of Pettengill home assessments is to gather information pertaining to strengths, needs and safety. The results and action plan of home assessments vary as greatly as the individual or family and may result in the needs of ongoing case management, referrals, or immediate interventions. During FY 2011 Pettengill House provided 29 home visits, assessments and interventions.
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Operation Backpack
Operation Backpack is a community supported initiative which provides backpacks and school supplies to children in need. During FY 2011 Pettengill distributed 549 backpacks and school supplies (6 year total of 2,457).
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Juvenile Diversion Program
The Newburyport District Court partners with Pettengill to provide a safe and healthy environment in which youth can accomplish their mandated community service hours and develop skills to assist them in positive decision making. All participants complete a parent supported intake, pre and post evaluation and individual interview.
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Crisis Intervention Services
This level of intervention is seen as emergency level and as such requires directed high level interventions generally resulting from physical or mental health issues. Crisis intervention of this level is addressed both on and off site. As first responders Pettengill is responsible for their roles as initial crisis team members, gathering information, data and supports necessary to facilitate an action plan.
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MassHealth Intake Services
As an approved Mass Health site, Pettengill House trained staff provides information and intake assistance in completing the initial application, accomplished through the state supported Virtual Gateway web program. Pettengill also provides disability application support and follow up requirements, including accessing Primary Care Physicians and Mental Health providers. The goal of this program is to enroll qualified individuals, families and children. This year Pettengill processed 23 adults and 29 children. This year's decrease from FY 2010 indicates most clients now have Mass Health which is a mandate of our program.
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Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (SNAP) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamp Application)
In realizing the barriers of individuals and families to access the state food stamp program (located in Lawrence, MA., transportation, literacy and need for advocacy), as a approved site, Pettengill trained staff now complete food stamp applications on site through the state supported Virtual Gateway web program. Completion of the food stamp application is a mandate of Pettengill for all clients participating in our food pantry and meals program. The goal of providing assistance with the food stamp application is to provide individuals and families access to healthy, supplemental foods while stretching their dollar. This process also provides independence and empowerment. This year Pettengill processed applications on behalf of 51 adults and 36 children. This year's decrease from FY 2010 indicates most clients now have Food Stamps which is a mandate of our program.
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Food Pantry
The Pettengill House Food Pantry provides staple foods and personal items to individuals, children and families in need. Resources are received through private and community organized donations including Project Bread and its affiliations, the faith community, schools, service organizations, business communities and area residents.
Pantry hours are as follows:
Tuesdays 9:00am - 2:00pm & 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Emergency Hours as needed
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Saturday Night Meals
Saturday Night Meals Program is a nine month, volunteer driven program which provides nutritious, home delivered meals to Pettengill individuals, children and families, many of whom are without cooking facilities.
During FY 2011 Pettengill Food Pantry and Meals program provided 117,694 meals to residents of the Greater Salisbury Community.
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Emergency Assistance
This year this effective Pettengill program provided $60,802.68 in emergency assistance support. Areas of support included emergency basic needs and shelter assistance, utility assistance and transportation, along with the increasing need of medical and after school youth program assistance.
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