Adapting a two-generation service model to address immigrant and refugee health: The HOST demonstration

Now in its second year of implementation, the multisite HOST demonstration tests innovative, two-generation service models to improve the life chances of vulnerable low-income families living in public and mixed-income housing communities. HOST builds on lessons learned from an earlier pilot in Chicago public housing, which yielded substantial gains in mental and physical health for parents, but had little or no effect on the well-being of children, by adding youth supports to a core of intensive case management with parents. Three of the 4 HOST demonstration sites serve primarily African American public housing residents, but the Portland site serves a diverse low income population which includes African refugees, recent Latino immigrants, other immigrants from Europe and Asia, as well as native born Caucasians and African Americans. Using data from the baseline survey, this presentation will describe the underlying similarities and differences in mental and physical health among diverse parents and youth enrolled in the Portland HOST demonstration. In-depth interviews with program and clinical staff will also be integrated to interpret this description and explain how the Portland HOST model has evolved to offer culturally competent supportive services.