Press releases

House of Hope enriches
case management program

PRESS RELEASE DATE: JUNE 22, 2009

See related video by TCPalm at YouTube.

The new case management program at House of Hope has added another facet with an intern from Florida Atlantic University’s School of Social Work.

House of Hope created its case management program in 2008 to provide guidance to selected client families and help them achieve long-term economic stability and self-sufficiency. The program is led by Lesley Frederick, who has a master of social work (MSW) degree and is thus eligible to train students.

Earlier this year, House of Hope forged a partnership with FAU, and in May, Kristen Doodian became the first intern to be placed at the agency. Doodian attends FAU’s Jupiter campus and will be fulfilling her 400-hour internship requirement with House of Hope.

Ms. Doodian said the internship program is valuable because “a lot of things you can’t get in a classroom. You can learn theory, but the internship provides genuine experience – dealing with people and a full-time schedule in a work environment.”

In the case management program, dealing with people calls for empathy, professionalism and knowing how to navigate all the resources and services available for people in crisis.

Sometimes that means helping them gain access to medical, educational, employment or social services. Sometimes it means providing hands-on support in setting goals, writing resumes and making budgets. Ms. Frederick’s calm demeanor and expansive knowledge is a plus for House of Hope, its clients and now its intern.

“I have learned a ton,” Ms. Doodian said. “Lesley has been very patient. There is a positive atmosphere here, and that is contagious.”

Having an intern dedicated to case management has been valuable to House of Hope, as well. Ms. Doodian has helped the agency manage the growing number of cases that have developed during the current economic crisis.

Ms. Doodian’s internship will conclude once she has fulfilled her 400-hour requirement and starts work toward her MSW degree. The partnership with FAU will continue, with the possibility of future interns being placed at House of Hope. 

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673 or visit www.hohmartin.org.