P AUL A. C URTIS, E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR Everychild Foundation – February 23, 2016

Who is CCY? Statewide, grassroots non-profit representing organizations statewide that serve youth ages Specific focus on disconnected, runaway and homeless youth Leads policy and advocacy efforts statewide. Operates the California Youth Crisis Line. Provides development and leadership opportunities for youth.

CCY today! CCY Mission: to improve and empower the lives of California’s youth CCY Vision: that every youth in California is connected to the services, resources, and programs they need to have successful lives. CCY Core Beliefs:  Partnering with youth  Linking with youth-serving programs  Advocating for youth rights  Connecting youth to resources  Educating communities, policymakers and stakeholders

Homeless and Runaway Youth A homeless youth is an individual between the ages of 12 and 24, inclusive, who is living on their own without a parent or guardian and lacks a stable or permanent address. Many of these youth are non-system youth who are not, or have never been, a part of either the foster care or juvenile delinquency systems and are not eligible for many state and federal programs and services.

Reasons for Homelessness Domestic violence in the home Physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect Substance abuse in the home Criminal justice involvement by family member(s) Conflict with parents – LGBTQ youth Family homelessness

Why do youth runaway away? Young people who run away for long periods of time in the majority of cases do not run away because they are rebellious. They often run away because it’s safer to leave home than it is to stay. 46% physically abused 17% sexually abused 38% emotional abuse They run away because of family conflict, abuse, immediate danger, etc.

What services are available? Homeless youth do not tend to access resources available for chronically homeless adults or families. Why not? Different needs Do not identify as having a problem or being homeless Negative experiences in the past – not feeling safe, theft, harassment, exploitation, etc Turned away from these programs Lack of available services in the area they live in

Consequences of Youth Homelessness Engagement in survival sex Victimization, including Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Alcohol and drug abuse Mental health problems – PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, etc. Physical health problems – TB, Hepatitis, STDs, HIV/AIDS, etc. School failure/dropout

Consequences of Youth Homelessness 36% of Caucasian youth and 40% of African American youth resort to selling drugs 30-40% report alcohol problems 40-50% report drug problems 3 times more likely to use marijuana 18 times more likely to use crack cocaine But only 10-15% receive treatment for drug and alcohol related issues

Increased risk of mental health problems, poor physical health, suicide, etc. 32% have attempted suicide 3 times more likely to have major depression, conduct disorder, or PTSD 60% of homeless youth have a diagnosable mental health condition 16 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV 7 times more likely to die from HIV 75% will drop out of school Consequences of Youth Homelessness

Where are some places a homeless youth may live?

California Homeless Youth Approximately 1/3 of CA’s counties have direct services for homeless youth; funded primarily through federal and local funds. Funded emergency shelter beds for homeless youth in CA decreased from 587 beds in 1990 to 555 beds in 2010, while CA’s population of homeless youth has increased dramatically. State funding for homeless youth is directed through the Homeless Youth and Exploitation Program (HYEP). The program receives $1.1 million and funds 4 individual programs in the state. Funding for this program has not changed since its creation in 1988.

Homeless Youth and Exploitation Program Created to serve homeless youth in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Clara and San Diego County. It is one of two state programs dedicated to serving homeless youth; the other is the California Youth Crisis Line. Both programs are housed under the Office of Emergency Services (programs were initially created under the Office of Criminal Justice Planning). Four programs serve approximately 5,000 youth annually.

Facts on Homeless Youth in California Approximately 300,000 youth in grades K-12 experience at least one day of homelessness each year in California based on the latest CDE report, an increase of 18% over the past two years. 12,000 – 13,000 homeless youth at any given time in California. 28% of homeless youth in the nation live in California. California is second worst in the country in sheltering homeless youth % of our homeless youth are unsheltered.

What Can We Do for Homeless Youth in California? California can and must do more to support one of our most vulnerable populations of youth – those who are homeless. CCY’s Top Priority for 2016 is to increase services for HY $25 million in additional funding: - $10 million for immediate short term emergency needs (HYEP) and $15 million for transitional living programs Will expand services to suburban and rural areas of the state that receive no support at all through state funding AB 1699 – Bill to expand HYEP and support the increase

Thank you Paul Curtis Executive Director California Coalition for Youth