Family Tree describes Goals campus two-generation program and availability for Douglas County families

Paolo Diaz, CEO of Family Tree, briefed the Douglas County Homeless Initiative on March 13 about the Goals program, a two-generation approach that serves families with children by combining housing stability, employment supports and early-childhood services.

Diaz said the Goals campus in Aurora offers rooms and units for Douglas County residents and that families typically work with a case manager and a navigator. The program’s stated target length of stay is up to nine months, with a current observed average closer to six months before families exit to stable housing.

"Each family that are residing in goals, they do work with a navigator," Diaz said, explaining that the program focuses on both parents’ employment and children’s early-childhood needs. He said families must meet eligibility (TANF-eligible, children in household, income limits — cited as $75,000 or less) and that, for Douglas County specifically, the program launched a local stream in December and currently serves three families from the county.

Diaz provided program outcomes for the current fiscal year: a majority of families exiting Goals found safe and stable housing, and most families served are single female heads of household. Family Tree follows up with families after exit and reported that many families maintain or increase income while in the program.

Commissioners asked about barriers to entry and wait times; Diaz said availability varies by timing but that, for the Douglas County stream, beds were available at the time of reporting.

No changes to referral criteria or program rules were made at the meeting. Family Tree and county staff said they will continue referrals through HEART and local case-management channels.