Minnesota s Homeless Youth Act

Transcription

1 Minnesota s Homeless Youth Act Building Homeless Youth Services Beth Holger-Ambrose Executive Director The Link

2 My Background Present Homeless Youth Emergency Shelter, Housing, and Street Outreach Programs MN Homeless Youth Services Coordinator (Minnesota Department of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity) The Link s Executive Director

3 The Link Juvenile Justice Juvenile Supervision Center, Evening Reporting Centers, School Matters Housing and Homeless Youth Services 5 programs totaling 145 units Safe Harbor Passageways Emergency Shelter and Housing Program, West Metro Regional Navigator, Supportive Services

4 Agenda 1. Background 2. Strategies 3. Bill Language 4. Implementation 5. Additional Programs 6. Outcomes

5 The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act BACKGROUND

6 Act Drafted 2001: The Runaway and Homeless Act one section of the Minnesota Youth Advancement Act Drafted by the Minnesota Youth Services Association (MYSA), headed by Streetworks & Rich Wayman Reviewed by homeless youth community

7 Funding 2007 Grassroots campaign $1 million of new funding

8 Funding Funding in Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), with homeless adult and families service funding Instead of child welfare

9 Funding 2009 $238,000 Advocacy 2013 $4.238 million *In 2014 an additional $1 million was added *Name changed to Homeless Youth Act Current Funding: $5.238 million for SFY 14-15

10 The difference?

11 Got in the senate, the house, and (for the first time) the Governor s Budget

12 Derek s Testimony that Had Hearing Room in Cheering Mode and with Governor Dayton in 2013

13 The Runaway and Homeless Youth act STRATEGIES

14 Strategies Bill designed by service providers and youth Initial $8 million funding request ($10 million currently) Lobbyists and State Program Staff coordination

15 Why combine with homeless adult/family services?

16 Knowledge Street outreach, drop-in center, shelter and housing programs Homeless issues Requests by Homeless Youth Providers Homeless Services provided by community based non-profits, not systems

17 Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Children s Mental Health not the appropriate options in Minnesota Not designed or have capacity to serve homeless youth Lack capacity and knowledge of how to transition youth out of homelessness into stability Do not have the expertise to provide emergency shelter and housing Homeless youth in MN tend to be distrustful of these systems and work better with community based agencies and/or nonprofits

18 Community Efforts Finding Home Video (TPT-Wilder Research) Capital presence (Every Thursday) Youth Testimony Executives from LSS, Catholic Charities & Wilder Art Exhibit at Capital Media Coverage Legislator Tours of Homeless Youth Programs

19 The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act BILL LANGUAGE

20 Homeless Youth A person 21 years of age or younger who is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian and is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision are available, whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care, or who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence

21 Homeless Youth The following are not fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residences: 1. A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or institution designed to provide temporary living conditions 2. A temporary placement with a peer, friend or family member that has not offered permanent residence, a residential lease, or temporary lodging for more than 30 days; or 3. A public or private place not designed for human habitation

22 Youth At Risk of Homelessness A person 21* years of age or younger whose status or circumstances indicate a significant danger of experiencing homelessness in the near future. *Currently requesting increase to 24 years of age

23 Youth At Risk of Homelessness Status or circumstances that indicate a significant danger : 1. Exiting out-of-home placements 2. Previously homeless 3. Parents or primary caregivers are or were previously homeless 4. Abuse or neglect 5. Conflict with parents due to chemical or alcohol dependency, mental health disabilities, or other disabilities 6. Runaways

24 Street and Community Outreach Street and community outreach programs must locate, contact, and provide information, referrals, and services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness and runaways.

25 Street and Community Outreach Information, referrals, and services: 1. Family reunification 2. Conflict resolution or mediation counseling 3. Assistance in obtaining temporary emergency shelter 4. Assistance in obtaining food, clothing, medical care, or mental health counseling 5. Counseling regarding violence, sexual exploitation, substance abuse, sexuality transmitted diseases, and pregnancy

26 Street and Community Outreach Information, referrals, and services: 6. Referrals to other agencies 7. Assistance with education, employment, and independent living skills 8. Aftercare services 9. Specialized services for the highly vulnerable 10. Homelessness prevention

27 Drop-In Centers Youth drop-in centers must provide walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis.

28 Emergency Shelter Emergency shelter must provide homeless youth and runaways with referral and walk-in access to emergency, short-term residential care. The program shall provide homeless youth and runaways with safe, dignified shelter, including private shower facilities, beds, and at least one meal each day; and shall assist a runaway with reunification with the family or legal guardian when required or appropriate.

29 Emergency Shelter Emergency shelter services: 1. Family reunification 2. Individual, family, and group counseling 3. Assistance in obtaining clothing 4. Access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling 5. Education and employment services 6. Recreational activities

30 Emergency Shelter Emergency shelter services: 7. Recreational activities 8. Advocacy and referral services 9. Independent living skills training 10. Aftercare and follow-up services 11. Transportation 12. Homelessness prevention

31 Supportive Housing and Transitional Living Transitional living programs must help homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness to find and maintain safe, dignified housing. The program may also provide rental assistance and related supportive services, or refer youth to other organizations or agencies that provide such services.

32 Supportive Housing and Transitional Living Supportive services: 1. Educational assessment and referrals to educational programs 2. Career planning, employment, work skill training and independent living skills training 3. Job placement 4. Budgeting and money management 5. Assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income

33 Supportive Housing and Transitional Living Supportive services: 6. Counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy 7. Referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment 8. Parenting skills 9. Self-sufficiency support services or life skills training 10. Aftercare and follow-up services 11. Homelessness prevention

34 The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act IMPLEMENTATION

35 Implementation State DHS-OEO wrote an RFP and had a bidder s conference Review committee consisted of state staff from multiple departments Homeless Youth Services Coordinator Legislative Report

36 Data Collection HMIS-shelter and housing grantees Street Outreach & Drop-In Center exempt at first Annual Report of all Housing Outcomes Combined (Adults, Families, Youth)

37 RHYA Evaluation Provider Interviews Homeless Management Information System (HMIS Data) Homeless Youth Focus Groups Urban, Suburban & Rural (see hand-out with report and outcomes)

38 RHYA Evaluation Release Event

39 The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

40 Additional Programs ACF-FYSB Pilot, Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth Rural Homeless Youth Project Safe Harbor Law & No Wrong Door Youth Focus on the Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program Metro Youth System Redesign & C.A.

41 Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth (SSRHY) State DHS-OEO awarded $1 million FYSB funding for 5 year pilot SSRHY Advisory Committee to develop and oversee program (50% youth) Representatives from MN Depts. of Education, DEED, DHS- Child Welfare and Health particiapated on Advisory Committee First TLP Programs on Leech Lake and Bois Forte Reservations

42 Rural Homeless Youth Project DHS-OEO approached by private foundation (Otto Bremer) Focus groups in 10 rural and Reservation communities Report on Findings & Recommendations Informed state Homeless Youth Act RFP

43 SSRHY Program, Bois Forte Reservation

44 Safe Harbor & No Wrong Door 2011 MN. passed Safe Harbor Law which decriminalized prostitution offense for youth under the age of 18 and created the Safe Harbor Committee Safe Harbor Committee developed the No Wrong Door Response for Sexually Exploited Youth (Committee was led by a state interagency group from Depts. of Public Safety, Human Services and Health)

45 The Link Partners with Safe Harbor Law: Shelter and Housing for Sex Trafficked (Passageways)Youth

46 FHPAP Youth Focus Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program FHPAP had only funded adult and family programs In 2007, FHPAP state budget doubled from $7 to $14 million Homeless Youth Services Coordinator worked with FHPAP State Interagency Committee to develop youth focus Many more youth programs across state as a result

47 Metro Youth Systems Redesign McKnight Foundation History Youth providers, government and private funders coming together to create efficiencies among funders and providers of homeless youth services Now committee is developing a metro wide youth coordinated assessment process

48 The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act OUTCOMES

49 From $0 to $ mil $4.238 million $1.2 million $3 million $2 million Homeless Youth Act Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Transitional Housing and Emergency Shelter Program Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program (FHPAP) Safe Harbor Shelter and Housing

50 Increased Capacity More Street Outreach Programs Increased Drop-In Centers from 3 to 8 (soon to be 9) Emergency Shelter Beds from 80 to 123 Transitional, Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing at nearly 700 units Youth Homeless Prevention Programs

51 Safe Harbor No Wrong Door MN. Dept. of Health State Safe Harbor Director Advisory Committee Day One Hotline Regional Navigators (7 State-Wide) 8 Shelter Beds, 13 Housing Units Supportive Service Grants

52 Partnerships with Child Welfare County Child Welfare Dept. contracting with homeless youth providers to provide housing for youth aging out of foster care and for sexually exploited youth Regional Navigator Partnership with County Child Welfare Workers

53 What s Next? Homeless Youth Act asking for $10 million and age increase to 24 Safe Harbor asking for additional $2 million for shelter and housing and $2 for supportive services & street outreach DHS working on ACF grant to improve transitions from foster care Coordinated Assessment

54 Thank you! Beth Holger-Ambrose Executive Director The Link Phone:

55 Additional Resources Youth Moving Forward Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Minnesota Department of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity