[Community and Location] [Date and Time] Guide Training [Community and Location] [Date and Time]

Youth Counts: What are they and why do them? A one-day census to determine how many young people ages 13-25 are homeless or unstably housed Improves advocacy efforts for more services and funding Helps ensure services match the needs and location of young people

Why is your help important? Youth have a unique and valuable perspective Youth often understand other youth better than adults do Youth may feel more comfortable talking to other youth

What will you be doing as a Guide? Work in teams of 3-4 (2-3 Guides and 1 Team Leader) Go into assigned areas to count (Stage 1) and survey (Stage 2) other youth who may be homeless or unstably housed Be paid $10/hour for your time (including this training)

What will the Team Leader do? Provide you a map and a list of hot spots Go with you to the area in which hot spots are located Remain in the area to: Answer your questions Collect completed tally sheets and surveys from you Hold on to extra supplies Ensure your safety Respond to crisis situations Survey youth who would prefer to talk to the Team Leader Inform the Team Leader before going anywhere not on the list

Count Area Outdoor locations, including street intersections, parks, etc. Indoor locations, including libraries, coffee shops, etc. Your map will include location bubbles and a list of hot spots that have been identified as places where homeless or unstably housed youth may be found. Stay within the boundaries drawn on your map. This helps us to avoid counting youth more than once. If you cannot count in a certain area due to safety concerns or access issues, do not enter the area. Alert your Team Leader, and mark the area on your map.

What will you be carrying? Clipboard and pencil Tally sheets Surveys with consent script Envelopes to store and seal completed surveys Gift cards ID badge Resource list

Stage 1: Who will you count and how will you count them? Guide(s) will use a tally sheet to record information about any youth at the hot spot who appear to be both: homeless or unstably housed AND between the ages of 13-25 Practice: Use the example tally sheet to record information about the person sitting next to you

Stage 2: Who will you survey and how? After counting all of the youth in an area, you will approach the youth who were counted and ask them to complete the survey If any youth who were counted leave the area or go into a building, do not attempt to follow them

Stage 2: What will you be asking about? Birth date and initials Current living situation Characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation) History of foster care or detention/jail If currently pregnant or parenting Current school enrollment and employment

Stage 2: What do youth get for taking the survey? Each youth who takes the survey will receive a $5 gift card Youth receive a gift card as long as they answer the first 5 questions Each youth can receive only ONE gift card

Stage 2: What will the process look like? Screen to determine whether to approach the youth Do not approach a youth who is sleeping or cannot be seen (e.g., inside a tent) Read the consent statement on the top of survey and obtain verbal consent If a youth refuses: Check the refusal box on the survey, thank them, and move on to the next person. Do not give the youth a gift card. If a youth agrees: Move to step 3.

Stage 2: What will the process look like? Read the questions aloud in English or Spanish if the youth agrees to take the survey Skip any questions youth do not want to answer Repeat each question only once Thank the youth When finished with the survey, give the youth one gift card Return completed surveys to the Team Leader

Stage 2: What if… A youth who took the survey wants to take it again? Youth cannot take the survey more than once A youth walks away or stops responding in the middle of taking the survey? Check “refused to answer” for the rest of the questions and place the survey into your envelope A youth feels uncomfortable answering a question? Youth can refuse to answer any question they feel uncomfortable answering.

Stage 2: What if… A youth does not respond to a question? Repeat the question once and move on to the next question if the youth does not respond A youth gets upset or emotional while taking the survey? Ask the youth if he or she would like some help and offer him or her a resource list. Contact the Team Captain with any questions.

Stage 2: Practice Screen Read Thank

Important Reminders

Voluntary Participation Do not interact with youth being counted during Stage 1 Use your best judgment when filling out the tally sheet Work with your team to decide who to count Read the consent statement in full for each youth that you approach to take the survey during Stage 2 You must get their verbal consent (yes or si) to continue with the survey Never pressure youth to take the survey, answer a question they do not want to answer, or finish the survey.

Respect Privacy Survey youth at a safe distance from others to ensure privacy Never talk with anyone except the Team Leader about the youth or the surveys Talk to your Team Leader if you have questions about a survey Place each survey in the envelope immediately after it is completed

Respect Privacy Keep completed surveys safe, covered, and clean until you deliver them to your Team Leader after you survey youth in each hot spot. Never leave them visible or unattended Return all blank and partially completed surveys to your Team Leader Do NOT throw any surveys away! Inform your Team Leader right away if any survey materials are stolen or lost

Ensure Safety Stay together as a team when doing the Youth Count Survey youth in safe, public places only Immediately walk back to your Team Leader if you begin to feel unsafe If a youth is taking a survey, end the survey, thank the youth, and hand the youth a gift card Immediately inform your Team Leader if you are concerned about the safety of a youth you are counting or surveying

Questions?