Improving the Crisis Improving the Crisis Response for Older Response for Older

Homeless YouthHomeless Youth

Building on the Lighthouse Building on the Lighthouse Transition System of CareTransition System of Care

Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio

Presented by:Presented by:

• Mark J Kroner LISWDirector, Lighthouse Training Institute

Lighthouse Youth Services Inc.401 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45206

513-487-7130mkroner@lys.org

Lighthouse Youth Services (1969)Lighthouse Youth Services (1969)

• Foster Care• Group Homes• Youth Crisis Shelter• Youth Outreach Services• Independent Living• Transitional Living• Home-based/Wraparound services• Correctional Services• Help Me Grow for high-risk infants and toddlers• Charter school• Shelter for 18-24

• Preventing youth,16-19, in the child welfare system from becoming homeless (started in 1981)

=Independent LivingIndependent Living

• Preventing young “non-systems” adults 18-24 from remaining homeless (started in 1989)

=Transitional LivingTransitional Living

The Lighthouse Transition System The Lighthouse Transition System Self-sufficiency training Youth Crisis Center

Youth Outreach Independent Living

Journey MH Transition SOC Emancipated Youth Program

Transitional Living Program Permanent Supportive Housing

Re-Entry Program Home-based/Wrap Services

Community-management 18-24 Shelter

Why a Shelter for 18-24?Why a Shelter for 18-24?• Youth not comfortable in existing adult shelter (249 youth in adult

emergency shelters in 2010).

• Adult shelter not happy with young adults

• Needs of young adults often different than older population

• Lighthouse already connected to many services for youth/young adults

• Lighthouse already operated successful day shelter

• Lighthouse already operated a youth shelter (10-17) since 1972

• Part of Cincinnati’s Homeless to Homes Plan. Homeless to Homes Plan. Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care for the Homeless, 2009 at http://www.cincinnaticoc.org/hth.aspx

ChallengesChallenges• Funding• Location• Community acceptance• Building design• Connections to existing adult services system• Connections to existing child/youth systems• Staffing• Programming• Policy/rules development

Funding

• United way• Private Foundations• HUD-case-management• City General Services Funds• CDBG-Expansion of lower level and courtyard• Ohio Dept. of Development-Operations• Caring Cooks-Lunches on M-F• Emergency Solution Funds

• The Lighthouse on Highland 28 bed Shelter/Resource Center

Key ServicesKey Services• Case-management/ Crisis support (3CMs)• 12 single rooms/8 doubles• Connections to existing community resources• Rapid housing/short term financial assistance• Health services-Nurse 20 hours a week• Education/Employment services• Life skills/training groups 1-2pm • Mental health/Substance abuse screening• Communication with other CoC services• In-shelter food services• Aftercare case-management

Resource CenterResource Center• Open 5 days a week. Hours: M-f 9-2pm• On-site GED classes• Counseling• Job Coaching• Benefits enrollment• Basic needs; food and clothing• Access to computer/ phones• On-site nurse• Referrals to needed services

Assuring youth safety

• Safety plans• Orientation• Security cameras• Clear policies on weapons, threats

Staffing

• Program director• House/operations manager• Resource Center coordinator• Case-managers (3)• Youth workers• Volunteers/activity partners• Registered nurse

Policies and program rules that may inadvertently be keeping youth out of shelters

• Expecting immediate cooperation• Blocking those with open warrants (24 hours

to clear up)• Expecting youth to be there every day• Pregnant /parenting youth• Transgender youth• Youth in MH crisis

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

• Safety first• Harm reduction vs. Zero tolerance• Starting where a youth is at/individualize

services• Offering, not requiring services• Connecting with other existing services

Outcomes so farOutcomes so far

• 115 intakes since January• Average length of stay 27 days-down since

summer• 50% leave into housing• More females than males• No in-site arrests• 85% maintain or increase income

Lessons Learned so farLessons Learned so far• If you build it they will come!• Some youth want day shelter only• Use consultants form adult shelters• Prepare/train/support staff• Use family shelters for moms• Police called 6 times since October• Some youth need to go to PES• Work to keep youth from congregating nearby• Hard to find housing for youth with legal issues• Place transgender youth with identity group• No long term funding

If you don’t have an 18-24 shelterIf you don’t have an 18-24 shelter…

• Work/partner with existing adult shelters• Work with local Continuum of Care • Seek out RHY and HUD finding for supportive

housing• Work with/create a local homeless coalition• Work with child welfare system is appropriate• Create a day shelter• Work with faith-based organizations • Seek out private support