How the Program Works
CFES connects families and young people in ACS programs with resources and supports to strengthen their economic stability and mobility. How you achieve this goal depends on your organization and program operations.
The program model is designed for flexibility. Adapt approaches based on your expertise and internal systems. Use the tools as-is or modify them to fit your needs.
“I think it's important to have a variety of tools and methods because sometimes the walls that are there can be hard to break through. So you may have one family or one parent who is verbal and open and forthcoming and another one who may not be or may have a language barrier.”
- Case Planner
At the core of the program is the young person or family's engagement with an ACS program—either through an ACS team like FSU/FPP or through an ACS provider. The following scenarios show the two main ways the program can work:
Scenario 1: Receiving in-house ECRS support from your ACS team/provider
Screen for needs. The program begins with screening for unmet ECRS needs (see Step 1). This might happen during intake or a meeting with a Case Planner. Screen early and repeat throughout until you make a referral to a Navigator.
Connect to a Navigator. If any ECRS needs require problem-solving or help with applications, the Case Planner schedules a joint meeting with an Economic Resource Navigator at their organization (see Step 2). Economic Resource Navigators (Navigators, for short) are staff whose dedicated capacity may be funded through future ACS or NYCBenefits contracts. This might be one person or multiple staff in different roles with different titles.
Navigator provides ongoing support. After the introductory meeting between the Case Planner, Navigator, and family or young person, the Navigator continues working with the family or young person to understand and address their ECRS needs (see Step 3). The Case Planner manages the ACS case and the Navigator regularly checks in with them to align on needs and progress.
Support continues after case closure. When the ACS case closes, the Navigator can continue working with the family or young person on their ECRS needs or determine if a referral is needed for further navigation support.
Scenario 2: Receiving ECRS support from an external provider in parallel with your ACS case
Some teams and organizations might not have an in-house Navigator. Or the family or young person might prefer to work with a Navigator at another organization based on location, reputation, cultural or language preferences, or a desire to keep their ACS case separate from their economic needs.
Refer to another organization. After screening and identifying ECRS needs at any point during the ACS case (see Step 1), the Case Planner makes a referral to a Navigator at another organization (see Step 2). This external organization might or might not operate ACS programs, allowing separation of ECRS support from the ACS case if the family or young person prefers.
Navigator stays connected. As in Scenario 1, the Navigator works with the family or young person to understand and address their ECRS needs (see Step 3). The Case Planner manages the ACS case, and the Navigator regularly checks in with them.
Support continues after case closure. When the ACS case closes, the Navigator can continue working with the family or young person on their ECRS needs or determine if a referral is needed for further navigation support.
