Project HOPE-VA Youth Summit Older Youth Experiencing Homelessness June 2013 Barbara Duffield, NAEHCY Policy Director 1

2 Federal Support: The HEARTH Act The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 Framework for how HUD’s homeless programs operate Focus areas – more homelessness prevention, less emergency shelter; more permanent housing, less transitional housing

3 Federal Support: The HEARTH Act A Continuum of Care: Government agencies, nonprofit service providers, advocates, and others working together to end homelessness in a local community, or in a larger rural area of a particular state Entity that applies for HUD funding and creates plans to address homelessness Useful for relationships, resources, and building a constituency for youth

4 A Matter of Definition HUD programs use a different definition of homelessness than education programs HUD – streets, emergency shelter, transitional housing. Few exceptions ED – includes staying with others, or in motels, because there is nowhere else to go Under HEARTH, all who fit ED definition are considered “at risk,” and are eligible for prevention assistance

5 HEARTH Act and Education Assurances 1. Continuum of Care must demonstrate that it is collaborating with school districts to assist in the identification of homeless families and youth as well as informing these homeless families and youth of their eligibility for McKinney-Vento education services

6 HEARTH Act and Education Assurances 2. Continuum of Care applicant will be required to demonstrate that it is considering the educational needs of children when families are placed in emergency or transitional shelter and is, to the maximum extent practicable, placing families with children as close to possible to their school of origin so as not to disrupt their children’s education

7 HEARTH Act and Education Assurances 3. Project applicants must demonstrate that their programs are establishing policies and practices that are consistent with, and do not restrict the exercise of rights provided by the education subtitle of the McKinney- Vento Act, and other laws relating to the provision of educational rights and related services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness

8 HEARTH Act and Education Assurances 4. Project applicants must demonstrate that programs that provide housing or services to families are designating a staff person to ensure that children are enrolled in school and connected to the appropriate services within the community, including early childhood programs such as Head Start, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and McKinney-Vento education services

9 Other Housing Ideas Housing programs for foster youth  Was the youth ever in care?  Does the youth have an open child welfare case?  Can child welfare or other programs for current/former foster youth be convinced to provide services?

10 Housing Ideas – Higher Education College dorms  Request a dorm that stays open year-round  Ask if student can stay in international student housing  Apply to be resident advisor / dorm monitor Housing deposit – can it be deferred until financial aid comes through? Explore college work-study

11 School-Housing Partnerships Stabilize housing through host families  Fairfax County has excellent models  Housing + High School = Success  high-school-success high-school-success