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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Unaccompanied Youth Project: Why Here?
NRS and school district data
Wayne County schools served 3,974 homeless children and youth in
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 16

17. 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

18. 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

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

21. 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

22. Patricia Julianelle NAEHCY; Legal Director Unaccompanied Youth Task Force

23. 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

24. 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!

25. 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

26. Contact Information
Cyekeia Lee, Higher Education Liaison
Phone:
Courtney Smith, Youth Coordinator