Improving the Crisis Response for Older H omeless Youth
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Improving the Crisis Improving the Crisis Response for Older Response for Older Homeless Youth Homeless Youth Building on the Lighthouse Building on the Lighthouse Transition System of Care Transition System of Care Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio
description
Improving the Crisis Response for Older H omeless Youth. Building on the Lighthouse Transition System of Care Cincinnati, Ohio. Presented by:. Mark J Kroner LISW Director, Lighthouse Training Institute Lighthouse Youth Services Inc. 401 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Improving the Crisis Response for Older H omeless Youth
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
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
