Life hit a speed bump shortly after her son was born with a congenital heart condition. That's when Maria, whose name is changed here to protect her and her son's privacy, realized she needed a new start in a different state and chose the East Bay, where she had relatives. She knew UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland was nearby and had a great reputation for high-quality care, especially for complex cases like her son's.
Once Maria and her baby arrived, however, housing proved challenging. They couldn't stay very long with relatives and were turned away by a shelter because of the baby's health issues, which were deemed a liability. Other housing programs had long waitlists. Soon, the family had chronic housing instability, which added to the stress of the baby's medical condition.
UCSF Benioff Oakland social worker Sophia DaRosa Baptista, LCSW, learning of the family's plight, referred them to a new pilot program called Building Bridges: Hospital to Home. Soon, the family had a two-bedroom apartment near the hospital with discounted rent and gifted furniture.
Safe, stable housing has a huge impact on children, affecting how quickly they recover from injury and illness, and their long-term health outcomes.
Nicolas Holmes, MD
"For the first time in a long time, Maria can now save money and think about what she wants next, instead of just trying to get through the day," Baptista said.
The program, run by the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA), is supported by a $1.37 million funding award from Alameda Alliance for Health. It is designed to serve up to 50 families with children who have been treated in the Neonatal or Pediatric Intensive Care Units (NICU or PICU) at UCSF Benioff Oakland; are insured through Alameda Alliance Medi-Cal; live in Alameda County; and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
"Our mission to care for our patients extends beyond our hospital and clinic walls," said Nicholas Holmes, MD, president of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. "Safe, stable housing has a huge impact on children, affecting how quickly they recover from injury and illness, and their long-term health outcomes. We're proud to invest in our community with this initiative."
Launched earlier this year, two families have enrolled in the program so far, which provides two- and three-bedroom apartments for $250 per month in Oakland, where rents can easily be 10 times as much. It also includes financial assistance for utilities and clothing, and the option to enroll in other programs to support long-term economic independence.
"We see again and again in our hospital and clinics that a child's health and wellbeing is deeply connected to their home and community circumstances," said Shabren Harvey-Smith, LCSW, director of social services at UCSF Benioff Oakland. "Now, our social workers can refer eligible families to housing units right near the hospital, so they can support their children as they heal."
It's working wonders for Maria and her baby, said Baptista.
"They have a safe, clean home they can afford, and they can access their son's care team easily," said Baptista. "Maria recently shared that she wants to go back to school and build a career - hopefully in the medical field."
