Detroit Task Force on Youth Homelessness Kick-off Meeting March 18, 2014

Unaccompanied Youth-- Who Are They? Definition: child or youth who meets the education definition of homeless and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. “Doubled-up” (sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, similar reason): 71% Motels: 5% Shelters, transitional housing: 22% Camping, parks, abandoned buildings, bus stations, public spaces Inadequate trailers, substandard housing Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Who Are They? (cont.) Some youth become homeless with their families, but end up on their own due to lack of space in temporary accommodations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boys. 60% of homeless mothers live apart from at least one of their minor children; 35% live apart from all their children. 93% of homeless fathers live apart from all their children. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Who Are They? (cont.) Studies have found that 20 to 50 percent of unaccompanied youth were sexually abused in their homes, while 40 to 60 percent were physically abused. Over two-thirds of callers to Runaway Hotline report that at least one of their parents abuses drugs or alcohol. One in four youth who emancipate from foster care will experience homelessness within two years of leaving care. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Who Are They? (cont.) 20-40% of homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (compared to 3-5% of the overall population). Many youth have been forced out of their homes due to pregnancy. 10% of currently homeless female teens are pregnant. Many youth have to leave home because their family can’t afford to provide for them. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Force Working with young people, service providers and community members to develop creative strategies to support unaccompanied youth. 3-year project, 9 communities Studies show that coordination among youth services can greatly improve outcomes. 339 at-risk youth programs spread across 12 different federal agencies No one agency or organization can meet all the needs. Yet no one has the time to organize a community-wide effort for youth or work on the strategies generated. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Unaccompanied Youth Project: Why Here? NRS and school district data Wayne County schools served 3,974 homeless children and youth in 2011-12 43% increase in 2 years Calls in to NRS: (313) area code generated 580 calls in 2012 (248) generated 1,236 calls (734) generated 315 calls Community leadership Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Force: What’s the Overall Goal? 17 year old HS senior History of domestic violence (mother and step-father) Kicked out by step father at age 14; dad incarcerated Stays with numerous friends Works part time – not enough for rent Quiet with story due to embarrassment and fear of foster care placement N’s goal: Graduate from high school and attend college. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Force: The Overall Goal To give N what she needs to reach her goal. What does N need to graduate from high school and attend college? What agencies might have come to the table for her over the past few years? What agencies need to come to the table for her now? What additional services do we need to develop to meet N’s needs? Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Force: The Overall Goal “I strongly believe that in order to help a youth break the cycle of poverty and homelessness, this can only be achieved through educational opportunities, financial, mental, emotional and spiritual support. Becoming homeless can break any person and to get out and become successful again, one needs services until they get on their feet and not just a one-time only. There needs to be more resources for homeless youth in a non-judgmental manner.” “Developing, adopting, implementing and monitoring a collective, community-wide approach to serve and increase the impact on homeless youth.” Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Forces: Initial Results San Antonio Wallet card of resources State legislative initiatives: unaccompanied youth 16 and older can enter TLPs without parental consent Truancy and attendance officer training and policies Goodwill, food bank and health collaborative collaboration North Carolina Youth-run community garden and drop-in Wallet card of resources; also on Facebook and QR Legal clinic SE Wyoming Housing authority vouchers for youth Host homes Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Forces: Initial Results Northeast Tennessee New CPS referral/service process 5 units supportive housing with case management Transportation: Ways to Work, car repair San Diego SNAP guidance (local, state and federal) Youth Panel on cultural competency Dental Day Resource dog tags Legal clinic and drop-in center Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Youth Homelessness Task Forces: Initial Results Sacramento A2B Bike Giveaway Advocacy with Regional Transit Housing options Legislative initiatives (school records, SNAP, child welfare, high school graduation and partial credits, hearings) Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Step One: Gather Information to Identify Local Priorities We surveyed adults. 55 responses Service providers and community members We surveyed young people. 52 responses Ages 13-25, even split F/M 62% had “couch-surfed”; 40% had stayed in a shelter; 20% had slept in public Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Question 1: What do Youth Need? 1. Job training and counseling 2. Clothes and shoes 3. Transportation 4. Safe, stable place to live Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

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Question 1: What do Adults Think Youth Need? Transportation Safe place to be days and evenings (11-17) Job training (18-25) Shelters and transitional living programs

Question 2: What type of housing do youth want? Live on my own with rental assistance (80%) Live with an adult I know, with mutual responsibilities

Question 2: What type of housing will youth NOT use? Shelters Group homes Foster care Return to parents

Lack of transportation Age limits Question 3: What are the Greatest Barriers to Youth Seeking/Receiving Services? Embarrassed / ashamed Lack of transportation Age limits Fear of referral to police, parents, foster care (under 18) Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

What they need to go back: Education Questions Half the youth surveyed were out of school; All of them wanted to go back to school. What they need to go back: Transportation Housing A job Financial aid for college Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

Step Two: How can we meet these needs? A job Clothes and shoes Transportation Safe, stable place to live Pick an issue, sign in, and get to work!

Youth Homelessness Task Force: Next Steps Regular in-person meetings: April? May? Committee meetings by phone in between Invite colleagues you think should here Cyekeia, Courtney and Patricia will be Task Force staff Work on a few, tangible, short-term initiatives Develop and implement mid- and long-term initiatives

Contact Information Cyekeia Lee, Higher Education Liaison Phone: 734.258.8175 Email: clee@naehcy.org Courtney Smith, Youth Coordinator Email: csmith@naehcy.org