The Clark County Community Services Agency, located in Vancouver, Washington, uses Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to support Janus Youth Programs, which operate The Nest program.

The Nest prevents youth homelessness by strategically helping young people who are transitioning out of foster care or who have been recently released from juvenile facilities. The program consists of rental assistance in semi-supervised independent living apartments to address the primary barrier faced by these youth - a lack of living options. The Nest also focuses on developing supports tailored to the unique situation of each youth to reach long-term goals and independence.

This program demonstrates that CSBG funding helps individuals and families not only meet their immediate needs, but also how Community Action invests in comprehensive services that contribute to sustainable self-sufficiency and success.

John, Ashley, and their son Landon were referred to The Nest program in July 2010. For over three months, the family was couch surfing and living in an unheated garage. They needed an apartment before the cold weather season came, however they were only receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance each month.

The Nest program was proactive in helping John and Ashley connect to resources that significantly improved their financial situation and well-being. The Nest program assisted John in obtaining a paid position with a sportswear company and helped the family find an affordable apartment. The program subsidized the family’s move-in costs, such as their renter’s deposit, and enabled them to obtain furniture from the Regifting Store. The following month, Ashley also obtained a job with a local employer.

To ensure future stability and self-sufficiency, The Nest program supported John’s enrollment in Clark College, where he is currently studying to obtain his Associates Degree. He intends to go to Pacific State University to become an engineer. The move-in and the case management costs (there were a total of 30 hours spent with the family) represented an $869 investment in this particular family. Due to the investment, the family no longer needs government assistance. John and Ashley both have secured employment and are able to pay taxes. The result, based on the combination of earned income and public assistance saved, is a total value of $45,674.00. Thus, for every CSBG dollar, the Return on Investment (ROI) for this client annually is $52.56.

The Nest program, funded by CSBG, puts individuals and families on the path to independence and financial security. More information about Clark County Community Services can be found at http://www.clark.wa.gov/community-action/index.html.

Source: WA Department of Commerce and FY 10 CSBG IS Survey.

Data sources

• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2007 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: Statewide poverty percentages, GCT1701, Ratio of income to poverty level, C17002
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2009 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: Statewide poverty percentages, GCT1701, Ratio of income to poverty level, C17002
• Half in Ten analysis of Table 1, 2007 State Expenditure Report, National Association of State Budget Officers.
• Half in Ten analysis of Table 1, 2009 State Expenditure Report, National Association of State Budget Officers.
• College Board Trends in Pricing
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2007 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: R2515
• U.S. Census Bureau, “American FactFinder,” 2009 American Community Survey (accessed May 2011). Data came from the following tables: R2515
• Center for American Progress analysis of CEPR Current Population Survey ORG data.