The Community Partnership for Homeless (CPH) is the non-for-profit 501(c)(3) approved agency that is the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. CPH operates the two Homeless Assistance Centers currently operational. The first Center (Central North Miami Avenue) in Central Miami-Dade County opened in October 1995. The second Center began operations in South Miami-Dade County at the former Homestead Air Force Base in October 1998.
The HACS serve as the intake centers for the continuum of care. It is where men, women and children come in lieu of remaining on the streets. It is a relatively short-term residency, and in these Centers services are provided to homeless people to help them regain and restore their lives.
In addition to the expected food, clothing, showers and beds, there is a counseling staff that works with each formerly homeless person.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools operates adult and vocational classrooms, and job-training classes are available to the residents of the Homeless Centers. Health Foundation of South Florida (Central HAC N. Miami Avenue) and the Public Health Trust (South Miami-Dade HAC) each provide a primary health care clinic.
In addition, there is a wide array of social services provided at each Center in a "one-stop" approach. These include:
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(on site) legal aid
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Veterans Affairs
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Florida Department of Children and Families
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employment placement programs
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Social Security Administration
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and child Care, which is provided by YWCA (Cental HAC) and by Miami-Dade County Head Start (South Miami-Dade HAC).
All of the services and housing are provided at no cost to the resident.
Each resident of the Centers has a "case plan" designed to lead him or her to being a productive member of society. Assistance is provided in accessing the necessary services to achieve this short term plan.
CPH’s mission is to site, construct and operate up to three Homeless Assistance Centers and to raise the private funding necessary to assist in the implementation of the Miami-Dade County Community Homeless Plan. CPH is further committed to assisting the Trust in this implementation through encouraging private sector involvement.
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