Improving the Crisis Response for Older Homeless Youth Building on the Lighthouse Transition System of Care Cincinnati, Ohio

Presented by: Mark J Kroner LISW Director, Lighthouse Training Institute Lighthouse Youth Services Inc. 401 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio

Lighthouse Youth Services (1969) Foster Care Group Homes Youth Crisis Shelter Youth Outreach Services Independent Living Transitional Living Home-based/Wraparound services Correctional Services Help Me Grow for high-risk infants and toddlers Charter school Shelter for 18-24

Preventing youth,16-19, in the child welfare system from becoming homeless ( started in 1981 ) Independent Living =Independent Living Preventing young “non-systems” adults from remaining homeless ( started in 1989 ) Transitional Living =Transitional Living

The Lighthouse Transition System Self-sufficiency training Youth Crisis Center Youth Outreach Independent Living Journey MH Transition SOC Emancipated Youth Program Transitional Living Program Permanent Supportive Housing Re-Entry Program Home-based/Wrap Services Community-management Shelter

Why a Shelter for 18-24? Youth not comfortable in existing adult shelter (249 youth in adult emergency shelters in 2010). Adult shelter not happy with young adults Needs of young adults often different than older population Lighthouse already connected to many services for youth/young adults Lighthouse already operated successful day shelter Lighthouse already operated a youth shelter (10-17) since 1972 Part of Cincinnati’s Homeless to Homes Plan. Homeless to Homes Plan. Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care for the Homeless, 2009 at

Challenges Funding Location Community acceptance Building design Connections to existing adult services system Connections to existing child/youth systems Staffing Programming Policy/rules development

Funding United way Private Foundations HUD-case-management City General Services Funds CDBG-Expansion of lower level and courtyard Ohio Dept. of Development-Operations Caring Cooks-Lunches on M-F Emergency Solution Funds

The Lighthouse on Highland 28 bed Shelter/Resource Center

Key Services Case-management/ Crisis support (3CMs) 12 single rooms/8 doubles Connections to existing community resources Rapid housing/short term financial assistance Health services-Nurse 20 hours a week Education/Employment services Life skills/training groups 1-2pm Mental health/Substance abuse screening Communication with other CoC services In-shelter food services Aftercare case-management

Resource Center Open 5 days a week. Hours: M-f 9-2pm On-site GED classes Counseling Job Coaching Benefits enrollment Basic needs; food and clothing Access to computer/ phones On-site nurse Referrals to needed services

Assuring youth safety Safety plans Orientation Security cameras Clear policies on weapons, threats

Staffing Program director House/operations manager Resource Center coordinator Case-managers (3) Youth workers Volunteers/activity partners Registered nurse

Policies and program rules that may inadvertently be keeping youth out of shelters Expecting immediate cooperation Blocking those with open warrants (24 hours to clear up) Expecting youth to be there every day Pregnant /parenting youth Transgender youth Youth in MH crisis

Key Concepts Safety first Harm reduction vs. Zero tolerance Starting where a youth is at/individualize services Offering, not requiring services Connecting with other existing services

Outcomes so far 115 intakes since January Average length of stay 27 days-down since summer 50% leave into housing More females than males No in-site arrests 85% maintain or increase income

Lessons Learned so far If you build it they will come! Some youth want day shelter only Use consultants form adult shelters Prepare/train/support staff Use family shelters for moms Police called 6 times since October Some youth need to go to PES Work to keep youth from congregating nearby Hard to find housing for youth with legal issues Place transgender youth with identity group No long term funding

If you don’t have an shelter If you don’t have an shelter… Work/partner with existing adult shelters Work with local Continuum of Care Seek out RHY and HUD finding for supportive housing Work with/create a local homeless coalition Work with child welfare system is appropriate Create a day shelter Work with faith-based organizations Seek out private support