1. HOMELESSNESS Families and Youth Prevent Child Abuse Conference April 4, 2016

2. Definitions of Homelessness HUD -Individuals living in emergency shelter, transitional housing or a place not meant for human habitation, such as a car, abandoned building, or on the streets – are literally homeless U.S. Department of Education - Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, individuals who are sharing the housing of other persons; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds or are awaiting foster care placement

3. The Numbers 2.5 million Children lacked a permanent home at some point during 2013 An estimated 550,000 youth in US experience homelessness for more than one week 2014: 2,786 people in homeless families – 9.9% decrease since 2013 (HUD) In 2012-2013 School year 18,006 students were homeless – an 81.9% increase from 2006 – 2007 So HUD is showing a decrease in families in shelter while Dept. of Education is showing a huge increase of families doubled up or unstably housed

4. Who are Homeless Families? 84% are female headed household Average age 27 – 32 years 92% have experienced domestic violence 29% are working Most have school age children; 42% under age 6 By age 12, 83% of children have been exposed to at least one violent event

5. Who are Homeless Youth?  Some have aged out of foster care – VA has the highest rate of children aging out of foster care at age 18  Up to 25% aging out of foster care become homeless within one year  Just under 2 million are runaway and homeless youth under age 18 with majority ages 15 – 17  Up to 40% are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LBGT) which is well above general population of 5 %

6. Consequences of Homelessness  Three fourths perform below grade level  One third have repeated a grade  For both children and older youth there are consequences in the form of mental health problems, substance abuse, victimization, criminal activity, and unsafe sexual practices

7. Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Mental health  Rate of major depression, conduct disorder and PTSD were 3 times higher for runaway/homeless youth than general population  Suicide leading cause of death of street youth Substance abuse  30-40% report alcohol use  40-50% report drug use

8. Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Victimization/Criminal activity  One fifth report stealing; up to one-half report gang participation  The longer and more often children/youth are on streets, the higher the risk for victimization – including Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)  Estimated that 39,000 runaway children are sexually assaulted or victimized by CSEC

9. Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Unsafe sexual practices  95% sexually active with 13 being median age of first time  One third engage in survival sex – trading sex for food shelter or drugs  50% have a pregnancy experience compared with 33% in shelter and 10% in a household  3 times as likely to be pregnant, impregnated someone, or already be a parent  At any given time 5 – 13% of homeless youth living with HIV  HIV prevalence 2 to 10 times higher than other adolescents

10. The Solution/Resources US - United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has committed to support communities in the development of:  Prevention, Identification and Early Intervention  Coordinated Entry and Assessment  Emergency and Crisis Response  Tailored Services & Housing Solution VA - Interagency Partnership to Prevent & End Youth Homelessness (IPPEYH) Strategic Plan: Goals and Strategies to: provide stable housing, permanent connections, education/employment and social emotional well-being for homeless youth ages 14 – 24 years Fostering Futures

11. Housing Solutions RVA –  No shelter or drop-in center specifically for 18 – 24 year olds  Possibilities Project – 18 – 25 year olds who have aged out of foster care  SJV – Rapid Rehousing (RRH) for families – this year Youth RRH Pilot for 18 – 24 year olds

12. Working with Homeless Families  The stress of homelessness affects all cognitive functioning & impacts decision making  Without the basic need of housing – without an address – a home Families are not as receptive or able to utilize services (“like ping pong balls”) Hard to connect with tutoring, mental health, health care Kids react to stress; parents less tolerant of negative behaviors  Once housing secured, parents able to establish routines/structure –  We try to help them develop a sense of “rootedness”  In-home meetings  Trauma-informed care

13. Homeless Families and RRH  We assume there’s a level of trauma  We reduce programmatic barriers  Don’t place additional demands  Help/teach them to create structure – family routine and rituals  Regular meals, regular bedtime, reading time  Help them identify natural support networks and create more formal supports (counselors, pastor, teachers, doctors)  Rebuild bridges  Families with strong family bond more resilient – kids and parents  We try to help them create that  Even parents really struggling are motivated by wanting their kids to succeed THERE IS DIGNITY IN HOUSING!

14. Resources National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) http://www.endhomelessness.org/ National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) http://www.naehcy.org/ Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness www.ICPHusa.org Center for Social Innovation http://center4si.com/ Project Hope – VA http://education.wm.edu/centers/hope/ Homeward http://www.homewardva.org/

15. Contact Info Kimberly Tucker, Director of Housing & Homeless Services St. Joseph’s Villa ktucker@sjvmail.net 804-553-3210