The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has awarded a Catholic Charities Federation Agency, St. Patrick Center, a $2.5 million grant for Project Protect, to enhance the safety and well-being of children affected by parental substance abuse.

"Parents are meant to protect their children, but when parents abuse alcohol and drugs, they need help," said St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. "Project Protect will assist children who are mistreated in substance abusing homes, and help stabilize these families."

Project Protect, which will serve 150 families per year, is a regional partnership of St. Patrick Center; the Family Court of the 22nd Judicial Circuit, City of St. Louis; Missouri Children's Division; Family Resource Center; and Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club. Two Intensive Case Management (ICM) teams will be formed, consisting of a family stability counselor, a substance abuse counselor and a financial stability counselor. Parents will complete substance abuse treatment, improve their parenting skills, get permanently housed, and move toward financial stability.

"Project Protect will provide comprehensive care for our homeless and impoverished families with children," added Buck. "This assistance will allow parents to raise their children in stable, nurturing environments, away from the influences of drugs and alcohol."

This is the first time the Department of Health & Human Services has awarded a grant to St. Patrick Center. Missouri's largest provider of homeless services will receive $500,000 annually for five years.

Vice-President of Development and Communications for Catholic Charities, Dan Shasserre said, "This is a great achievement. St. Patrick Center has taken another remarkable stride towards changing the face of homelessness in St. Louis."

MISSION:
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

Find out more about St. Patrick Center here.

FOR MORE INFO:
Kelly Peach
Director of Communications
Direct Line 314.802.0687
Cell 314.581.7126