Increasing Safety for Homeless Families with Babies & Young Children

Grantee: Mary’s Place Seattle
Timeframe: October 2024 – September 2025 | Amount: $25,254

This project will enhance safety for babies and children in families experiencing homelessness at Mary’s Place shelters. This initiative focuses on families identifying as BIPOC, fleeing domestic violence, or recent immigrants or refugees. The grant will support the purchase of safety supplies and equipment and provide comprehensive parent education on safety measures. Educational efforts will include ongoing classes, written materials, posters, handouts, and support group activities, covering topics such as safe sleeping practices, car seat and stroller use, and bathing and hygiene for babies.

The Baby’s Best Start program at Mary’s Place will offer targeted education and resources for pregnant individuals and new parents with infants up to 3 months old. This program provides onsite healthcare, pre- and post-natal care, parenting education, and a supportive environment that fosters healthy bonding between parents and their babies.

Safety information will be integrated into weekly parenting group sessions, monthly maternal health education classes led by a doula group, and individualized interventions by Public Health – Seattle King County Downtown Public Health resident doctors. Equipment such as sleep sacks, bassinets, and car seat/stroller combos will be provided at Mary’s Place shelters across three King County locations. These resources will be available for use during shelter stays and, if needed, when families transition to stable housing. With an average shelter stay of about 65 days, there will be numerous opportunities to educate and enhance safety for children.

Mary’s Place implements various mechanisms to support families, including a shelter intake process that prioritizes vulnerable families based on child age and domestic violence risk. Each family receives a Housing Specialist within their first day and meets with the health services team within 14 days. Housing Specialists work with families to identify and address barriers to housing, establish goals, and collect sociodemographic information. The health services team focuses on health-related goals, including improved healthcare access, well-being, and safety.

Programs are designed to support all caregivers, including grandparents and guardians, as well as families with pets and those facing complex medical, developmental, or behavioral challenges. Mary’s Place aims to help families move toward permanent housing, increase emergency shelter access, and connect parents with healthcare and resources for long-term stability.

Measurable objectives include:

• Assisting caregivers in developing skills and obtaining resources to transition out of homelessness.
• Providing tools to maintain safety, health, and housing stability.
• Empowering caregivers to improve their families’ well-being.
• Meeting immediate needs for food, hygiene, and shelter.

ABOUT OUR GRANTEE

Mary’s Place Seattle

“The Mary’s Place mission is to ensure that no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families.”