What is the Host Homes Program?

The Host Home program provides an opportunity for caring families to offer temporary emergency shelter care for children between the ages of seven and seventeen.  What makes Host Homes unique is that placement is voluntary on the part of the parent(s), the child, and the Host Home family.  In this program the youth stays with Host Homes the family for 1 to 14 days.

How has Host Homes Benefited Others?

Johnson County		Morgan County
	1-866-738-KIDS or (317) 738-3273 ext 103		1-866-738-KIDS or (765) 516-2264
safeplace@youthconnections.org Kristi Tucker
Get Involved with Host Homes

A school counselor made an emergency call to the crisis line on behalf of a

teenage girl. The student was very upset and refused to go home. She was having problems with her parents and especially her mother. The Safe Place staff called

her parents and they agreed to meet that evening. After explaining the Host Homes program, the girl and her parents agreed that their family needed a break. The girl went to stay in a Host Home for a few days.  The family wanted counseling to help resolve the problems they were facing.  After several individual counseling sessions and two three-hour family sessions, the girl and her parents came to a workable compromise and she was ready to return home.

When do Youth and Families Seek Host Homes?

A Host Home family voluntarily takes in a child in crisis when the child cannot remain at home or be placed with other family or friends. This temporary placement in the Host Homes program provides families with time to resolve conflicts and problems.

What is expected of a Youth while at the Host Home?

The youth is expected to participate

in all family activities.

The youth is expected to follow house rules and share in household chores.

The youth will follow guidelines established by the Host Homes Program.

All decisions regarding activities and discipline for the youth are to be made by the Host Home Coordinator.

When do Youth and Families Seek Host Homes?

A family who is willing to open its doors and heart to a youth in need. The family must be able to insure that the youth will be safe, warm and fed while staying at the Host Home. A Host Home family must also be willing to provide guidance and a listening ear to the youth but must not attempt to counsel the youth.

What are the Requirements to be a Host Home?

Complete an application including a criminal check and three references.

Complete Information forms required by Host Homes of Indiana.

Complete a short evaluation concerning each youth who stays with the family.

Have the ability to host 1 to 3 youths in a 12 month period.