Program Details
Retreat Home does NOT provide a social worker. All referrals into the Retreat Home program are made from a social worker to Executive Director Sarah ButlerWills.
Guest family and host family meet to ensure the living situation will be a good match.
A Retreat Home support volunteer provides support to guest family and host family throughout the temporary stay.
Guidelines are discussed and agreed upon by guest family, host family and Retreat Home support volunteer.
Guest family stays with host family for approximately 3 months.
During that time, the guest family is actively working with their social worker (housing specialist or case manager) to secure permanent housing.
There is no cost for guest family, no rent, no utilities, etc. They are guests in the host family’s home.
Beds, bedding, towels, closet, cooking space, and food storage are provided by host family.
Host family can provide positive tenant references, and since there is no cost for the guest family during their stay, they can save for their new housing deposits.
Criteria
Prior to any agreement, a guest family background check is made by the social worker’s agency and is shared with Retreat Home and host family.
Social worker (case manager or housing specialist) must be committed to meeting with guest family and host family once a month for a check-in meeting where frequent updates are shared.
Retreat Home does not accept guests with current (within the last two years) domestic violence or violent criminal experiences in their history.
Host and guest families have the right of refusal of Retreat Home program.
All Retreat Home volunteers, host families included, participate in educational trainings.
Host family homes are assessed for safety, health, and hygiene standards found in the Washington State Foster Care licensing requirements.