Making a Difference Together: How Front Line Groups Can Work Together to End Youth Homelessness Lisa Jacobson ~ Executive Director HOPE 4 Youth Karrie Schaaf ~ Anoka-Hennepin Homeless Liaison

Federal Definition of Homelessness People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. People who are losing their primary nighttime residence, which may include a motel or hotel or a doubled up situation, within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing. Families with children or unaccompanied youth who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state. People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (as reauthorized by Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act) defines homeless as follows: The term "homeless children and youths” (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and (B) includes– (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C)); (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

Skate Parks aren’t just for skating…

McKinney-Vento Identified Students & Unaccompanied Youth

Educational Challenges According to National Center for Homeless Education… Within a school year: Almost half of children experiencing homelessness attend 2 different schools. 28% attend three or more different schools. It takes 4-6 months for children to recover academically after changing schools.

The Shelf at Champlin Park HS School groups and staff collect and sort items. Parents and the community donated school supplies, food, money, phone cards, hygiene items and clothing.

The Shelf provides the Special Ed program vocational skills. The students help collect, sort and prepare donations.

Pathways Career Closet Open to students and families to prepare for job search and employment. Also providing work experiences to students in the Pathways program.

How the journey began… http://hope4youthmn.org/history/

Brian Swanson heard that youth homelessness had increased by 39% in just 1 year and knew he needed to help. His first call was to Karrie to see what could be done. So even before the doors opened to the Drop-in Center in March of 2013, incredible people began walking this journey every day, building a coalition of people who deeply care about the youth in our community.

We know that the majority of youth challenged by homelessness come to us with a childhood history of trauma and often times long-term physical, emotional & mental health issues. Others have been radically affected by a sudden change in family circumstances and must fend for themselves. Schools are uniquely positioned to know which youth are homeless first. We rely on them to refer the youth to HOPE 4 Youth so we can help once the bell rings at the end of the school day.

Our Drop-in Center in Anoka is structured to provide basic needs and services to the youth. We strive to create a safe, comfortable environment. We are open Monday – Friday from 2pm – 7pm Some of the things we provide: Laundry, hot shower, perishable & non perishable food items, clothing & shoes, a hot, nutritious meal, resource for jobs, education, life skills, support groups & much more!

2015 Stats Last year 369 homeless youth walked through the door of our Drop-In Center in need of resources and services:

Resources NCHE National Center for Homeless Education http://center.serve.org/nche/ NAEHCY National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth http://www.naehcy.org/ Youth Services Network https://ysnmn.org/ HOPE 4 Youth www.HOPE4YouthMN.org Anoka-Hennepin Schools HOPE Office www.facebook.com/AHHOPEresources

THANK YOU!!! Lisa Jacobson Karrie Schaaf HOPE 4 Youth Executive Director 763-323-2066 ljacobson@hope4youthmn.org Karrie Schaaf Anoka-Hennepin Homeless Liaison 763-433-4685 Karrie.Schaaf@anoka.k12.mn.us