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  • Behavioral Health Service Internship | Compass SF

    Behavioral Health Service Internship APPLY Internship Compass Family Services supports homeless families and families at risk for homelessness to achieve housing stability, family well-being and self-sufficiency. We are one of three access points for San Francisco families facing a housing crisis. Our services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental assistance, early childhood education and a broad spectrum of counseling, parenting education and other support services. Compass Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) provides graduate students (Trainees) and Registered Associates with opportunities to provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed, strength-based therapy to families experiencing homelessness or residing in shelters and permanent supportive housing. Our services reflect our understanding of the complexities of trauma and the range of traumatic experiences. Therapeutic services are currently offered via telehealth and on-site at the Compass Family Services main office located in San Francisco’s Civic Center. Trainees and Associates will experience all aspects of work at a vibrant social service agency as part of the Compass Behavioral Health Services team, working collaboratively with staff at Compass Family Services and local housing and shelter sites. The clinical training program includes training and education, supervision and support, attention to self-care for both the individual and the organization and attention to creating a welcoming and safe environment with a deep respect for how trauma has impacted our client families. The majority of the training takes place in individual and group supervisions. Opportunities Providing trauma-informed, strength-based psychotherapeutic services to individual adults, children, families and couples at our main office at 37 Grove Street to stabilize families living in local shelters and supportive housing programs. One shift per week as Counselor of the Day (COD) in the Compass Family Resource Center (CFRC) Drop-In Center at 37 Grove Street that includes providing one-time crisis counseling and supporting CFRC staff with, for example, client intakes and providing SF City resources to clients. Collaborating with case managers and other staff members in order to provide comprehensive services to our client families including participating in case reviews and other collateral meetings. Providing therapeutic shadowing at Compass Children’s Center (CCC) with pre-school age children (3-5 y/o) presenting behavioral challenges. Co-facilitating groups and classes. Training may include and is not limited to: Charting, Suicidality, Domestic Violence, SalesForce, Mandated Reporting, Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility, Therapeutic Shadowing (for preschoolers aged 3-5 y/o), Crisis Intervention and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL). Interns will also have the opportunity to attend agency-wide training and activities. Our approach to therapy is eclectic, strength-based and trauma-informed. Our modalities include psychodynamic and humanistic/existential with an openness to explore and utilize other modalities and techniques that may be helpful to our clients. Although we are committed to depth psychology, we also recognize the need for brief therapy, especially in crisis situations. By the end of the training program, Trainees and Associates will have gained clinical experiences in both long-term and brief psychotherapy. Training Program Details Length of Program: Approximately one year in length beginning after Labor Day 2026 and ending no later than August 30, 2027. A June start date is possible. Length varies depending on school requirements. Internship Orientation: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 9am to 4:30pm. In-person at 37 Grove Street. Participation is required. Group Supervision: Every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm. In-person at 37 Grove Street. Participation is required. Participation is required. Individual Supervision: One hour of individual clinical supervision will be scheduled each week based on Supervisor and Trainee/Associate scheduling. In-person at 37 Grove Street. Participation is required. Stipend: Trainees receive $500 per month and Registered Associates receive $1,000 per month. Expectations for Trainees 16+ hours per week (total time commitment) 5+ hours per week face-to-face individual therapy and/or therapeutic shadowing (milieu therapy) One 3-hour shift per week as Counselor of the Day (COD) at the Compass Family Resource Center (CFRC) Drop-In Center at 37 Grove Street 1 hour per week of individual or triadic supervision 2 hours per week of group supervision Co-facilitate parenting skills or support group (optional) Required charting in SalesForce Expectations for Associates 16+ hours per week (total time commitment) 10 hours per week face-to-face individual therapy and/or therapeutic shadowing (milieu therapy) 1 hour per week of individual or triadic supervision 2 hours per week of group supervision Co-facilitate parenting skills or support group Required charting in SalesForce Applications Applications for Trainee and Associate positions will be accepted until all positions are filled. We encourage you to apply before March 15, 2026 if possible. We will accept and review resumes from well-qualified applicants at any time; however, for the best opportunity, please try to apply by January 31. To apply for a Trainee or Associate position, please send your resume and cover letter to the below contact with the subject ”CBHS Internship: Your Full Name and Trainee or Associate”. No phone calls please. No applications will be reviewed without a formal cover letter. We are not asking for letters of recommendation as part of the application process so please do not include them or have them sent from a referrer to us. APPLY Shonece Barney Program Director sbarney@compass-sf.org

  • Families for Families | Compass SF

    Families for Families Spring 2026 Compass is proud to present our first spring Families for Families, with special guest First Lady of San Francisco, Becca Prowda. San Francisco Friends School Sunday, March 15th, 3:00 - 5:00 PM Join us for our event FOR families IN SUPPORT OF families! Spend the afternoon preparing meals for Compass families facing homelessness in San Francisco. Make blankets, do crafts, and learn about how you and your children can support homeless families together! Registration Tickets are per household, and every ticket helps support Compass families on their path to stability. Register at your preferred level of impact, all levels offer the same experience. Compass is committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If the cost of a ticket is a barrier, please email “belonging” and the event title to info@compass-sf.org . Contact Us Play Gear Drive! We’ll be collecting items that encourage play and family connection for Compass families. We're taking donations of: balls, rackets, & other sports gear jump ropes, frisbees, kites, & other outdoor equipment board games & puzzles comfortable play clothes like light hoodies, socks, and sneakers Bring items to the event, or donate via our Amazon wishlist! Drive Wishlist

  • Match Your Gift | Compass SF

    Support families in crisis. Give to Compass Family Services and make a real difference for those facing homelessness in San Francisco. GIVE TODAY Double your impact with a matching gift! Many generous companies offer to match donations to organizations like Compass. Use the tool below to see if your company will match your donation. After you search, the tool easily guides you through the process of accessing the forms, guidelines, and instructions that you need to submit a matching gift. When submitting a matching gift through your company’s electronic portal or if your company still uses a paper form, you may need the following information. Our EIN: 94-1156622 Our Mailing Address: 37 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Our Contact Information: Phone: 415-644-0504 Email: info@compass-sf.org

  • Spring Benefit Raise a Paddle | Compass SF

    THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING COMPASS FAMILY SERVICES WHEN WE ALL PLAY OUR PART, EVERYONE WINS Two generous donors have challenged us to raise $350K through this campaign. If we achieve that, they will establish $500 college savings accounts for each of the 70 children enrolled in preschool or daycare at Compass Children's Center. This is an incredible opportunity to change the game for these children and families! Please help us meet this goal with a gift today. This campaign will close on April 30 so time is short! Please select from the options below to fulfill the commitment you made at the event or to make a new commitment. You can pay now by credit card or to learn about other ways to send your contribution. PAY NOW BY CREDIT CARD If you would like to pay via a Donor Advised Fund, stock transfer, crypto transfer, check, or other method, please click below. PAY LATER If you have any questions about Compass or giving, please contact us .

  • Strategic Plan | Compass Family Services

    Strategic Plan | For more than 100 years, Compass Family Services has supported San Franciscans in need, and for decades we have assisted families in the throes of or on the brink of homelessness, supporting them to find safe and stable housing, connect to employment, educate their children, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. STRATEGIC PLAN For more than 100 years, Compass Family Services has supported San Franciscans in need, and for decades we have assisted families in the throes of or on the brink of homelessness, supporting them to find safe and stable housing, connect to employment, educate their children, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. At Compass, we are committed to ending family homelessness in our community and we will continue to serve until the need ceases to exist. Learn about our goals for our new season of expanded impact, learning, and advocacy. STRATEGIC PLAN 2024 - 2026 Strategic Plan At Compass Family Services, we are committed to transparency. To learn more about our organization, check out our profile on GuideStar , Charity Navigator , and GreatNonprofits . We are a nonprofit, 501c3 organization. Our Tax ID Number is: 94-1156622.

  • Give Today | Compass SF

    Support families in crisis. Give to Compass Family Services and make a real difference for those facing homelessness in San Francisco. GIVE TODAY Help create a safe and stable future for families in San Francisco. Compass Family Services helps families in San Francisco break the cycle of homelessness for good. Your gift fuels the essentials that make lasting stability possible: housing support, childcare, mental health care, and career pathways; so parents can build income and children can grow up with security and hope. Families come to Compass at the hardest moment in their lives; your donation is the turning point that keeps them housed and moves them forward. Prefer to donate another way? A Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA is a great tax-advantaged way to make an impact. Please reach out to your IRA manager to make a charitable gift. Recommend a gift through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) directly to Compass Family Services. Donating stock/appreciated securities may provide tax advantages while making a lasting difference for families. Donate Stock Contact Sarah Meike , Director of Development, for support in making your donation. Contact Sarah

  • Childcare Support | Compass Family Services

    Childcare Support If you’re a parent looking for access to early care and education programs for your children ages 0-5, Compass may be able to support you in finding free childcare and a provider that is right for your family. GET HELP HOW TO GET CONNECTED Online: Get started by creating an application for San Francisco childcare services at Early Learning SF. APPLY HERE By phone: Call (415) 644-0504 ext. 2330 and leave a voicemail with your name and phone number. By email: access@compass-sf.org WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES: A dedicated case manager to support you with the following: Accessing vouchers for fully subsidized childcare Identifying childcare needs and priorities and finding appropriate center or home-based options Regular check-ins with you and your child to ensure a successful childcare experience General case management including help with benefits enrollment, addressing housing and financial barriers, and referrals

  • Emergency Housing Assitance | Compass Family Services

    GET HELP Housing Assistance If your family is currently in need of shelter or housing, we understand you are navigating an incredibly challenging time and we are here to help. Compass’ Central City Access Point can determine your eligibility for services available through San Francisco’s Family Coordinated Entry system. Learn more about San Francisco’s Coordinated Entry and Family Access Points. GET CONNECTED The best way to receive services is to visit our Compass Family Services Hub at 37 Grove Street during our operating hours listed below to meet with a staff member for an eligibility assessment. The Access Point can get busy and sometimes reaches capacity for assessing families. Please arrive as early as possible in the day to ensure you are seen. DIRECTIONS HOURS Monday: 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm Tuesday: 9am - 12pm Wednesday: 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm Thursday: 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm Friday: 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED FOR MORE INFORMATION Call: (415) 644-0151 We frequently answer calls during business hours and messages will be returned within two business days. Email: ccap@compass-sf.org WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES: Assessment for shelter and housing through San Francisco Family Coordinated Entry Placement into housing and shelter if your family qualifies under the City of San Francisco’s criteria and based on availability Identify ways to help resolve your housing crisis outside the homelessness response system.

  • SPRING BENEFIT 2025 | Compass SF

    On April 22nd, 2025 the Compass community gathered at the Hibernia to celebrate the tireless work of Compass staff and families. Thanks to your generous support, we met our goal to raise $800K for families in need and unlocked college savings accounts for each of the 70 children at Compass Children's Center . THANK YOU for playing your part and making a difference in the lives of thousands of San Francisco parents and children! WHEN WE ALL PLAY OUR PART, EVERYONE WINS Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors! $50,000 JPMorgan Chase Qatalyst Partners $25,000 Visa $10,000 Allied World Insurance Company JoAnn and Jack Bertges Steffany and Rob Chisholm Litman Gregory Wealth Management - iM Global Partner Merritt Richmond and Fred Chung SkinSpirit Zendesk $5,000 Anonymous Martha Conte Dana Corvin and Harris Weinberg Steven Dinkelspiel Kimberly and Jonathan Garfinkel Katherine and Nicolas Giometti Valerie and Tim Houts Jennifer Schaeffer and John Cummings Kaiser Permanente KPMG Monkeybrains Okta for Good Janice and Geoff Sears Shanken/Tait Investment Group Tree Line Capital Partners Waymo $2,500 Acrisure Sapna Boze Carolyn and Chris Colpitts Jennifer DaSilva Christine Farzan Sarika Kosaraju Nancy Field and Kyle Anderson Lee M Flynn HeidiSays Kathleen and Chris Jackson Debbie Koski and Bianca Kaprielian Mariposas / El Dorado Restaurants Nicole and Ken Whiting Anne and Michael Parish

  • Family Homelessness FAQ | Compass SF

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FAMILY HOMELESSNESS Who are we talking about when we talk about "homeless families?" There are multiple definitions of homelessness. The federal definition includes only families that are unsheltered (sleeping in tents, cars, etc.) and those in homeless shelters (historically abbreviated as “streets and shelters”). San Francisco’s definition is more expansive and includes families living in spaces that aren’t appropriate for a family including those living in single room occupancy hotel rooms or doubled or tripled up with other families in spaces that are not meant for multiple families. The experiences of homeless families vary in many ways. Compass has supported families living in tents, couches, cars, and even a raft. At times, there are excessive numbers of people living in just one apartment or unit. In one case, Compass worked with a family living in just one room in the Mission with a total of 30 people. These families are doing whatever they can to keep their children sheltered or, when that’s not possible, at least safe. As one might imagine, parents have to make some incredibly difficult compromises when in this position, sometimes putting their own safety and well-being at risk (as is common with domestic violence situations). While there are families who do live in tents, it is much less common than with other homeless populations. Many parents hold the very understandable fear that their children may be taken away from them if they are seen living in a tent. While it is not legal for children to be removed from their parents solely due to homelessness, mistrust continues. Do homeless parents experience the same issues as the homeless people we see on the street? Yes and no. Homelessness as an experience is extremely traumatic and most everyone experiencing homelessness shares common issues related to that trauma including constant fear and uncertainty, not having somewhere where they feel safe, challenges accessing food and hygiene, etc. Human beings, whether in a family unit or alone, are not designed to sleep outside. Homelessness is caused by a lack of affordable housing. In San Francisco, a lot of public attention focuses on unsheltered adults who use drugs and those with severe mental illness. While substance use is not absent from the population of families experiencing homelessness, it is less common and typically less severe when it is present. Parents experiencing deep and severe addiction will most likely lose custody of their children and thus, will not be eligible for the family system (they will go to the single adult system unless/until they can regain custody). Additionally, parents living with serious mental illness (the type that might require significant intervention) are less frequently engaging with the family homelessness system for the same reason – if functioning is impaired enough, these parents will likely lose custody of their children. Family homelessness is often hidden. It’s likely that you would walk by most families Compass serves without ever imagining they are homeless. What is Coordinated Entry, and what does it mean for how families access shelter and housing? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires local communities receiving federal funds to address homelessness to operate Coordinated Entry Systems. HUD developed the concept of Coordinated Entry following an increase in national homelessness with the foreclosure crisis of 2007-2010. Coordinated Entry replaced a first-come, first-served model of shelter and housing intervention waitlists with a model that assesses and sorts applicants by their level of need. Coordinated Entry acts as a front door for connecting households facing homelessness with shelter and housing. Coordinated Entry Access Points identify, assess, and prioritize homeless individuals and families for housing and services, based on vulnerability and severity of need through a standardized process. San Francisco implemented Coordinated Entry in 2018. The primary principles of Coordinated Entry are: Prioritization. People with the greatest needs receive priority for any type of housing and homeless assistance available in the area. Low Barrier. Housing and homelessness programs lower their screening barriers in partnership with the coordinated entry process Housing First Orientation. People are housed quickly without preconditions or service participation requirements. Person-Centered. Individuals and families receive choice in where they want to live, and in the services they engage in (but this is tricky in the SF Bay Area, where there is so little housing stock available) Most Appropriate Housing Intervention. Ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive the right housing intervention (but again, this is tricky, if not impossible in the SF Bay Area, because there is such a dearth of any type of housing, so just because a family needs, for instance, permanent supportive housing, that does not at all mean that they are going to get it). Multiple Entry Points to Services. San Francisco currently has three family access points: Central City Access Point, operated by Compass, and Bayview Access Point and Mission Access Point, operated by Catholic Charities. Coordinated Entry prioritizes unsheltered families over those with shelter, even when that shelter isn’t sufficient. Families under the federal definition of homelessness are served before those that fall in the broader San Francisco definition. As a result, families living in conditions that are unsafe or unfit for children (for example, a whole family in an SRO hotel room or doubled or tripled up in a unit with another family or families) rarely are able to access the shelter system or housing options linked to Coordinated Entry, because they are lower priority, and the capacity of the system is extremely limited. How does Coordinated Entry Work? When a family comes to a Family Access Point, they are assessed by staff who collect a great deal of information about the family’s current situation and history (note that this retelling can be traumatizing for families). That information is entered into San Francisco’s Homeless Management Information System, the Online Navigation & Entry (ONE) System. The information is filtered through the City’s algorithm and the assessed family is given a prioritization score. If they score high enough, they can be offered shelter and/or housing (see info below for what options exist in the system). Families that don’t score high enough are assigned “Problem Solving” status, meaning they cannot access housing programs at this time. These families can still be placed on the shelter queue, or access emergency shelter. However, in San Francisco the beds in this category are currently very limited. Compass assists families with “Problem Solving” status to find other solutions. For example, if a family has relatives in Reno who could take them in for a bit, Compass can provide them with transportation support to get there. Typically, Compass is not able to solve many housing crises with problem solving, but occasionally this works. The threshold that a family needs to meet to get on the housing list is not static. The City adjusts the threshold score based on the availability of housing options in the system. If there are not many housing units available and there are a lot of families coming in for housing, the City will adjust the threshold score up so that only those who score very high will be eligible. What shelter and housing options are there? Shelter: There are a few different types of shelter that exist in San Francisco: • Emergency Shelter – these are shelters that are just for sleeping. They are “mat on the floor” shelters where families cannot enter until a certain time in the evening and must leave early in the morning. Possessions cannot be left in the shelter so this is not a great long-term solution for anyone but can be very helpful on a very short-term basis. Currently, the availability of this type of shelter is very limited for families. The only shelter of this type in San Francisco is Buena Vista Horace Mann, which is available only to families with at least one child enrolled in SFUSD (not available for those with just young children). Families do not need to go through Coordinated Entry to access this type of shelter. They can “self-refer.” This shelter tends to be at capacity each night. • General Emergency Shelter – Emergency shelter is available through Coordinated Entry and provides guaranteed accommodation to families for a limited amount of time (time limits were suspended during the COVID crisis and reinstating them is under discussion). Families have an assigned space (typically a room) and can store belongings on-site. They can also access the space throughout the day. Typically, these shelters, including Compass Family Shelter, provide private rooms. Facilities vary and have different features. For example, some may provide hot meals each day while others have available kitchen facilities for families to use. Case managers support shelter residents to address various aspects of stability, including finding housing solutions so that they can move on from shelter into something more permanent. Compass Family Shelter provides 22 families at a time with private rooms with private bathrooms, and a broad array of support services. • Transitional Housing – this is an option that is not very prevalent in San Francisco. Families can get referrals to Transitional Housing through the Coordinated Entry system. Stays are typically longer than with emergency shelter, varying by facility (6-18 months), and there are intensive services on-site to support families in reaching stability so that they will be prepared to stay housed after exit. Compass Clara House is a Transitional Housing property hosting 13 families at a time in private apartments and offering a broad array of support services. • Urgent Accommodation Vouchers – Compass currently offers the City’s only Urgent Accommodation Voucher program for families. With this program, families are placed into short term hotel stays when other shelter options aren’t available. Compass Urgent Accommodation Vouchers (CUAV) offers hotel stays with limited support services to 130 families at a time. Housing: There are also a few housing options that families may be offered (Compass offers all of these through Compass SF HOME and The Margot): • Rapid Rehousing – Families are provided with time-limited subsidies (frequently two or three years) covering the majority of their rent and allowing them to secure housing in units on the open market. Housing locators help families search for housing, negotiate with landlords, and move into their new homes. Once housed, families are assigned a case manager who provides support throughout the duration of the subsidy to help them increase their income and address other barriers, so they are able to afford to stay in their unit at the end of the subsidy period. A few notes about Rapid Rehousing: This is the option most frequently offered to families because it’s the most plentiful. Rapid rehousing is a great tool, but many families need more intensive support to be successful. Often families are given rapid rehousing because it’s the only available option, but they really need permanent supportive housing to stay stable. Families can be housed up to two hours from San Francisco, so about half of rapid rehousing families get placed outside of the City in locations such as Richmond, Vallejo, Antioch, Tracy, etc. • Site-Based Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) – Families are placed in units in dedicated buildings, such as The Margot, with support services onsite. They are able to stay in their units permanently, which offers families real, long-term stability and gives children a real sense of security. Families pay a portion of their income (one-third) for as long as they are in the unit. • Scattered-Site Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) – This is a hybrid between rapid rehousing and site-based PSH. Families receive a subsidy to get housed in a unit on the open market just like in rapid rehousing, but they will receive the subsidy forever. With this option, families don’t have to live in dedicated PSH buildings, giving them more flexibility. It’s a great option for families that are not likely to be able to significantly increase their income, but who don’t need as much active support as is provided when in a site-based program. • Housing Ladders – Through the housing ladder model, families that have been successful in site-based PSH for at least two years can move into scattered-site PSH with a housing subsidy. This makes room for families that need site-based support to be able to receive that, while continuing to support families that no longer need that level of support services but do need financial support with housing. What is the wait time for a family to get into a shelter? Through Coordinated Entry, families that are unsheltered (meaning they are living on the streets, in a tent or in a vehicle) are given first priority. That said, there can still be long waits for unsheltered families to get into shelter. Wait times depend on available inventory in the system and how many families with similar or higher need, as determined by the Coordinated Entry scoring process, are seeking shelter at the same time. This can be particularly troubling when the weather is bad and for families who have medical needs, including pregnant parents. Relatively recently, the City has begun to rely on temporary hotel stays for unsheltered families when shelter is not available. But these, too, are typically at capacity. What other organizations are serving homeless families and how do they all intersect? There are a number of organizations serving the homeless community in San Francisco in a myriad of ways. This is quite fortunate as the need is great, but this very populated landscape also creates a good deal of confusion. One important note is that the organizations receiving funding from San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing are generally segregated into three primary streams: Individual Adults, Transition Aged Youth, and Families. There are separate coordinated entry systems for each stream and organizations commonly specialize in one stream. Some large organizations, including Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army, operate in multiple systems and serve more than one population. There are number of other providers in San Francisco supporting homeless families including, but not limited to, Hamilton Families, Raphael House, Homeless Prenatal Program, Dolores Street Community Services, and Catholic Charities. Compass works with our sister organizations in many ways including through collaborative advocacy work with the Homeless Emergency Service Providers Association (HESPA), a coalition that works to advocate for the needs of the homeless population. Additionally, as opportunities arise, we partner with other providers on special projects. For example, we’re embarking on an exciting multi-year, randomized control trial of Guaranteed Basic Income for clients with our sister agency, Hamilton Families. What is it like for children to experience homelessness? Of course, there is no one experience of childhood homelessness. Some common themes include feelings of a lack of safety and security, hunger, and stress. Children in homeless families get sick more often than their housed peers and have more chronic illnesses like asthma. Children who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness are likely to have more unmet behavioral health and developmental needs than their housed peers. Older children miss more school, change schools with greater frequency, and are more likely to be behind in school due to lost instruction time. Even when parents can shield their children from many of the harsh realities of homelessness, they are dealing with a level of stress that most of us will never experience, and that stress has a way of trickling down to the children. Consistent stress can make it difficult for parents to be fully emotionally available for their kids, causing further challenges. When kids get a safe place to stay, the relief and the joy is palpable. Getting their own bed (and sometimes their own room!) is a huge milestone. This is what keeps many of us doing this work and is why we believe so strongly that every child deserves a safe and stable home. The transformation kids go through once they are housed is often profound. FAQ About Family Homelessness

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