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Village Roots

​Integrated Family Care (IFC)

Whole-family support that keeps kids safe, parents supported, and families together.

Integrated Family Care (IFC) is a short-term, relationship-based program that helps families experiencing homelessness or crisis find stability, rebuild routines, and move into independent housing, without separating children from the people who love them most.

 

We believe that families thrive when they’re surrounded by support, not systems. IFC wraps families in practical help, mentorship, and consistent encouragement so parents can focus on building skills, healing, and creating a stable home for their children.

 

Families stay with a trained mentor family for approximately three months while working toward their goals, with Village Roots providing case management, coaching, and resources along the way. After moving into their own home, families continue receiving support for three additional months to help ensure long-term success.

What IFC Helps Families With
Housing & Stability Support
  •  Creating a plan for safe, stable, long-term housing
  •  Securing deposits, essential household items, and move-in support
  •  Developing routines that promote safety, consistency, and confidence
Parenting & Family Life
  •  Building positive parenting routines
  •  Strengthening communication and structure
  •  Supporting school attendance, appointments, and child well-being
Life Skills & Daily Living
  •  Budgeting and money management
  •  Meal planning, cooking, and housekeeping
  •  Time management and goal-setting
  •  Navigating transportation and appointments
Employment & Income Support
  •  Job searching and applications
  •  Resume and interview preparation
  •  Understanding workplace expectations
  •  Connecting to local employment partners
Emotional & Mental Wellness
  •  Encouragement, accountability, and check-ins
  •  Support connecting to therapy or counseling if needed
  •  Building coping skills and self-confidence
Community Connection & Supports
  •  Connecting to long-term supports: childcare, schools, mentors
  •  Accessing local resources and benefits
  •  Building a supportive network that continues beyond the program
Housing Support

Securing deposits, essential household items, and move-in support

Emotional Wellness

Building coping skills and self-confidence

Life Skills

 Time management and goal-setting

Community Connection

Building a supportive network that continues beyond the program

What Mentor Families Do

Mentors are everyday people who open their homes to walk alongside a family working toward stability. Their role is to be a trusted guide, offering encouragement, structure, and real-life support as parents build confidence and independence.

Mentor families help with things like:

Parenting Skills

     Supporting and modeling positive parenting skills

Caring Relationships

     Creating a caring, respectful relationship that may continue after the program ends

Independent Living

     Teaching everyday independent-living skills (budgeting, routines, household management)

Community Support

    Helping parents build a strong community support network

Learn About Becoming a Mentor

Who the IFC Program Is For

We want every family to have the best chance at success.

To make sure the program is a good fit, here’s what we look for:

  •  Families are referred to us by our partner agencies.
  •  We accept families based on availability and the best match for a mentor home.
  •  Parents are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
  •  Families are willing to participate fully and follow shared guidelines with their mentor family.
  •  Parents have at least three months of sobriety and are committed to maintaining it.
  •  Parents’ mental health needs are being safely managed and won’t interfere with living in a home setting.
  •  Parents are able and willing to work or earn an income to move toward independent housing.