1. Growing Up Homeless: Part Two

2. Home Team Children and Youth Committee
Liz McCormick, Chair of Home Team Children and Youth Committee / Past Chair of Erie Women’s Fund

3. McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act
-McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act was signed into Federal Law in 1987 and amended in 1990 to eliminate enrollment barriers
-Program exists to ensure that each child of an individual experiencing homelessness and each youth have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education including pre-school

4. Definition of Homeless Youth
Homeless children and youth means individuals who lack “fixed, regular and adequate” nighttime residence
doubled up- sharing the housing of others
living in motels or hotels
living in camp grounds
emergency or transition shelters
living in cars, abandoned buildings
Unaccompanied youth- not in the physical custody of legal parent or guardian

5. National Perspective on Homeless Youth

6. Erie County Homeless Youth: Birth - High School
Age/Grade Category
Birth to age 2 74
138
161
Ages 3 to 5 not enrolled in kindergarten 63
107
130
Pre-Kindergarten 22 18 11
Kindergarten to Grade 5
400
554
460
Grades 6 to 8
146
173
153
Grades 9 to 12
186
199
197
Grade 13 21 14 20
Total Children
917
1205
1236

7. Erie County Homeless Youth: Living Status
Category
Doubled Up
401
472
463
Shelter/Transitional Housing/Awaiting Foster Care
440
675
707
Hotel/Motel 46 47 55
Unsheltered 22 11
Total Children
917
1205
1236

8. Erie County Homeless Youth: Unaccompanied Status
Status Category
Unaccompanied youth
119
129
111
Accompanied youth
564
866
585
Unknown
234
210
540
Total Children
917
1205
1236
* The increase of unknown in is likely a result of increased reporting by agencies that do not collect or are not required to report unaccompanied youth status.

9. School District Supports
Every school district has a point of contact called Homeless Liaison
Liaison supports:
reduce or eliminate barriers to students academics
collaboration with community partners
transportation
assistance with enrollment
school supplies
uniforms
book bags
winter coats
and act as an advocate for the students

10. Erie County Supports
Lana Rees, Director, Erie County Children and Youth

11. Hanna – Formerly Homeless Youth

12. Call to Action Join the Home Team Children and Youth Committee
The next meeting will focus on best practice models and next steps for our community
1:00 on February, 28 at site TBD. Please RSVP to