COORDINATED ENGAGEMENT FOR YOUNG ADULTS Hannah Fisk, NWYS Emily Harris-Shears & Erin Maguire, CCSWW Washington State Conference on Ending Homelessness May 21, 2014

Hannah Fisk, MSW “NWYS collaborates with at-risk, runaway and homeless youth to foster self-reliance.”

System Entry Targeted Screening Turned Away Homeless Prevention Housing Interest Pool and Case Management Diversion Services Housing Program Entry Youth Interest Pool and Case Management Housing Program Entry Diversion Services Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) AND/OR

An additional entry option for youth Two Housing Interest Pools (HIP and YIP) Removing off the waitlist – Weekly notifications – Additional attempts to contact – Approval from youth serving agency Brain development/ Cognitive functioning Relationship focused – Continuum of care between programs Empowerment based- options Positive Youth Development focused

Coordinated entry, intake, and assessment for all ages Referral and enrollment to partner programs Women Care Shelter Opportunity Council Housing Lydia Place Catholic Community Services Northwest Youth Services Targeted Homeless Prevention Sun House Emergency Shelter City Gate Re-Entry Housing Shelter Plus Care Program Bridge of Hope House YWCA I-Street House Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Additional entry, intake, and assessment for year olds

In April 302 non-youth households were on the HIP – 96 youth household were on the HIP 47 additional youth are on the YIP only – Reasons for any difference in numbers include: Prefer not to be on the HIP Not literally homeless Example of movement from HIP to Housing – HIP to Permanent Housing Program 55% went from HIP to the Permanent Housing Program 16% went from the YIP to the Permanent Housing Program

One Housing Interest Pool list with two entry points – No shared data entry program – Couch surfing – Lack of relationship Increased Communication – More difficult for the agencies – Easier for the youth Lot’s of Advocating

Shared access to single Housing Interest Pool Continued training on how this system came into place for new staff Prioritization of youth

Implementing A Coordinated Engagement System For Young Adults Youth Housing Connection WLIHA Conference on Ending Homelessness May 2014

Community Sign In Youth and young adults (YYA) ages 13 to 25 complete Community Sign In the first time they arrive at any drop in center, meal program, or young adult shelter in the homeless YYA continuum. Launched in December ,217 YYA have responded to Community Sign-In 67% identify as currently experiencing homelessness

Community Sign In 1.Divert YYA from homeless services when possible through family reunification 2.Promote consistent data collection on YYA homelessness 3.Obtain a more comprehensive number of YYA who are using our continuum by aligning data collection at every drop in center, meal program and young adult shelter in the continuum of care.

Youth Housing Connection One single access point for young adults ( ) in King County who are currently experiencing literal homelessness or within 14 days of losing their housing and in need of connection to housing resources Youth Housing Connection launched July 8, 2013

Where do young people come from?

Demographics

Assessment Process Meet young adults where they are already accessing services and support Assessments are offered at nine youth serving drop-in centers, shelters and meal site programs each week Capacity to provide 200 assessments/month Over 800 assessments completed

Assessment Tool One hour assessment Capturing relevant information related to young adult’s experiences in housing Directly corresponds to eligibility criteria of community housing providers Measures a young adult’s current risk while remaining homeless through the vulnerability score

Housing Inventory Partner with 25 housing programs made up of seven youth serving agencies 300+ units/beds Range of services: – Chemical Dependency – LGBTQA Youth – Exiting Foster Care – Domestic Violence – Mental Health – Culturally Tailored Services for African American and Native American young adults 191 referrals made since launch 90 young adults in housing

Program Staffing Two Housing Specialists: Completes housing assessments with young adults YHC Lead: Makes housing referrals and facilitates mobility requests Program Manager Program Director

Vulnerability Scale 1.Length of current experience of homelessness 2.Interest in Chemical Dependency Support Services 3.Safety 4.Interest in Mental Health Support Services 5.Number of experiences of homelessness 6.Interest in programs that require YA to have a disability 7.Community Supports 8.Length of time on the YHC Placement Roster (Point added for 6 months or longer) 9.Receiving SS/Disability Benefits

Vulnerability Scale Vulnerability Score # of Young Adults % of Young Adults Zero 20% One 447% Two 13120% Three 19630% Four 17226% Five 7411% Six 396% Seven 60% Total664100%

Vulnerability Scale

Supports young adults moving through the continuum of housing resources as their needs change Young adults with approved mobility requests receive priority for open resources Mobility Requests

Youth & Young Adult Voice Focus Groups Marketing Assessment Questions Response Timeline Mockingbird Society – Youth Advocates Ending Homelessness Ongoing User Feedback System Implications

Provider Voice Feedback Forums Continual Training Individual Stakeholder Check In’s Task Force → YHC Work Group – Monthly meetings of housing and service providers – YHC successes and challenges – 12 month work plan

Next Steps Family Reunification Pilot

Contact Information Hannah Fisk, Northwest Youth Services Emily Harris-Shears, Catholic Community Services of King County Erin Maguire, Catholic Community Services of King County