How Families Flourish Transformed Housing, Financial, Educational, and Health Outcomes for Economically Vulnerable Families

Families Flourish is an innovative nonprofit in Central Ohio which creates a future where families are empowered to unleash their talents and pursue their goals and aspirations. By addressing barriers and fostering self-confidence, families will be equipped to navigate their lives effectively using program tools designed for lifelong success.

Families Flourish serves families headed by low-wage-earning parents by empowering them to achieve and succeed through a 3-year holistic support initiative. Their program makes affordable rental housing available in neighborhoods that offer access to opportunities, such as higher-resourced schools, safer neighborhoods, and employment.

The program’s families are illustrative of a broader segment of the Central Ohio population –– economically vulnerable and living in challenging environments but receiving limited or no public assistance due to either a lack of available funding or to the benefit cliff associated with various programs.

Pilot Program

Originally known as the “Move to PROSPER” (MTP) program, the pilot was an initiative of Ohio State University’s City & Regional Planning Program and a variety of community partners. The goal was to develop a nationally replicable model for improving the residential and financial stability of low-wage-earning parents with 1-3 children in ages ranging from 2-12 at the start of the program.

In collaboration with OSU, Families Flourish developed a life coaching model for the parents designed to address trauma, equip individuals with problem-solving skills, and help them navigate complex systems to improve their lives and prevent eviction. This coaching is centered on four key pillars to ensure families with children can thrive and prosper: financial capability and stability, improved health outcomes, education and career goals, and housing stability.

"The mission of Families Flourish is to create a more equitable community for families," Amy Klaben, CEO and co-founder of Families Flourish said. "We want to touch everything that a family needs to be empowered and to help their children become who they're meant to be.”

Families Flourish selected OSU to develop the evaluation framework to quantify the impact of this new initiative. Ten families moved into their new homes in August 2018 and graduated from the program in July 2022. Results from the pilot show 58%/$17,000 average increased income, 110+ point higher credit scores, health and wellness improvements, and kids thriving at grade level and above in their schools at the time they completed the program.

Scaling Beyond the Pilot

Families Flourish is now a fully independent 501c3 nonprofit organization. Though the nonprofit receives hundreds of applicants, Families Flourish limits each of its three-year classes to about 16 families. Families Flourish has welcomed 83 families into the program since becoming independent.

“Where a child grows up or an adult lives can determine a number of factors of their life's chances, including how successful they'll be, how healthy they are, and how much money they will earn during their lifetimes,” said Klaben.

Streamlining Data Collection and Reporting

Families Flourish did not have a reliable data-tracking and reporting software during the pilot program. Without a centralized system, coaches relied on spreadsheets, paper records, and disconnected tools to track participant progress and report outcomes.

To automate and simplify the process of collecting and sharing outcomes and impact data, Families Flourish implemented SureImpact’s case management and impact reporting software. The SureImpact team tailored the software to match the evaluation framework created by OSU. Families Flourish now uses SureImpact to simplify the process for measuring individual and family life outcomes, and to demonstrate their unique value to funders and other stakeholder groups.

Families Flourish also partnered with SureImpact’s sister company, Measurement Resources, to provide ongoing fractional performance management support. They help Families Flourish interpret and make sense of the SureImpact insights.

SureImpact transformed how Families Flourish operates by providing a centralized, easy-to-use platform that streamlined their programs and decision-making. Families Flourish will require its affiliates, in its newly created affiliation program, to use both SureImpact and Measurement Resources.

Klaben shared, “Being a data-driven organization is critical to serving people to the best of our ability. Making decisions based on what the data tells us is critical. What is working well? What needs improvement? Can we see patterns? I don’t want to just hear opinions; I want to look at the data.”

Building Strong Donor Relationships

Donors are increasingly selective, requiring proof that their dollars will lead to lasting impact. SureImpact helps Families Flourish meet these expectations and provide open and consistent communication.

“The insights available in SureImpact enable us to understand and communicate to our donors and community stakeholders about the impact of their investments in areas such as health, child development, financial security, employment stability, and income,” said Klaben. “SureImpact also empowers us to truly listen to the voices of our families and ensure their unique needs are met.

SureImpact and Measurement Resources are proud to partner with Families Flourish, OSU, and many other mission-driven organizations who are driving lasting change in their communities.

Download the case study here.