Eastern Scholar House Program

The Eastern Scholar House program provides connections to educational supports such as academic tutoring, financial literacy, employment assistance and access to community based services. Residents receive case management, workshops, and access to various programs including parenting skills, management of family resources, nutrition, work skills, problem solving, and job search techniques. Most services are provided at no cost to the participants.

Priority for program admission is given to:

• Heads of households who are at least 18 years of age
• Single parents with primary custody of child/children
• Degree seeking full-time students at an approved post-secondary institution such as Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Berea College, Morehead State University, etc.
• Participants agree to meet monthly with a case manager to develop (and later monitor progress on) an Individualized Service Plan
• Children under 5 years of age must be enrolled in the Eastern Scholar House Child Development Center
• Families eligible for Section 8 subsidized housing
• Participants agree to attend monthly life skills workshops and meetings to promote the achievement of educational goals resulting in self-sufficiency
• Applicants agree to either work or participate in approved volunteer experience while enrolled in the program

Priority for housing is given to single parents with children who participate in the Eastern Scholar House Program. Once participants are chosen for the Eastern Scholar House Program, they are referred to the housing counselor who will then determine if they qualify for rental assistance. For those selected, housing will be dependent on continued participation in the Eastern Scholar House Program including remaining a full-time student, maintaining a 2.0 GPA, paying a small share of the rent, participating in required supportive services (life skills, study hours, case management, preschooler enrolled full-time in on-site child care center, etc.).

Here is how the application process for the Eastern Scholar House Program will work:

1. All applicants will complete a written ESHP Interest Questionnaire (link below) that is used to gather basic information about applicants and to confirm where they will fit on the prioritization list for the program. Single parents pursuing 4 year college degrees who have preschool age children who will be enrolled full-time in the Scholar House Child Care Center will receive first priority to admission to the Scholar House Program.

2. Applicants meeting the first priority for admission into the Scholar House Program will be offered interviews with the Scholar House staff to determine their willingness to participate, and succeed, in the program. The following items (link below) will be required at the time of the scheduled interview. In summary this is what will be evaluated through the application and interviews:

• Are you at least 18 years of age?
• Are you a single parent with primary custody of your child/children?
• Are you a full-time student or have been admitted for full-time enrollment in an approved post-secondary institution?
• Are you willing to meet monthly with a Scholar House case manager to develop (and later monitor progress on) an Individualized Service Plan?
• Are you willing to enroll your children under the age of 5 in Scholar House Child Development Center?
• Are you eligible for Section 8 subsidized housing?
• Are you willing to attend monthly life skills workshops and meetings to achieve your educational goals resulting in self-sufficiency?
• Are you willing to either work or participate in approved volunteer experience while enrolled in the Scholar House Program?

ESHP INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE (fillable)

ESHP INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE

ESHP CHECKLIST FOR APPLICATION APPOINTMENT

As a multi-generational approach, Eastern Scholar House Program preschool age children must be enrolled in the on-site, high quality affordable child development center. This will allow time for the parents to attend classes and focus on their education. The child development facility includes five classrooms for children, offices for program staff, meeting space, and a computer lab. Childcare is income based.

There are three apartment buildings located at 801 Van Hoose Drive in Richmond. There are 39 housing units, consisting of two bedroom apartments, of which two are fully-handicap accessible living quarters. Apartment amenities include a washer/dryer, dishwasher, storage space, and a designated parking lot. Housing is income based. Winterwood, Inc. provides the property management and ensures the program’s compliance with funding regulations.  Although located on land leased at EKU and prioritizing student parents, this program is not a form of student housing.

The Eastern Scholar House Program is based on the programmatic requirements specified in Kentucky Housing Corporation’s Scholar House Guidebook (however KRFDC may request minor deviations to the model as the program is further developed).

ESHP-Resident-Handbook-2020

For more information contact:
Jackie Dean, Scholar House Director
801 Van Hoose Drive
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 408-7025