CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEMS FOR YOUTH

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1 CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEMS FOR YOUTH NAEH CONFERENCE, 2014 ERIN RYAN, MSW, MPH VP, OPERATIONS THE NIGHT MINISTRY CHICAGO, IL

2 With an open heart and an open mind, The Night Ministry provides housing, healthcare and human connection to members of the Chicago community who are struggling with poverty or homelessness.

3 BACKGROUND Founded in 1976 as an ecumenical response by 18 congregations to address the impact of loneliness, despair, and substance abuse on those experiencing homelessness in Chicago s Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Began as street outreach in Laundromats, cafes, bars, and on street corners Added mobile health services in 1989 with a converted RV In 1990, began developing a network of small, community-based shelters for youth

4 YOUTH SERVICES TODAY Youth Outreach Team 52 Shelter beds for homeless youth 8 bed Basic Center for parenting & pregnant young women and their children 16 bed Basic Center all genders 8 bed Transitional Living Program all genders 20 bed Overnight Emergency Shelter After Care H.E.L.L.O. homeless youth advocacy group

5 YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN CHICAGO An estimated 15,000 homeless youth in Chicago over the course of a year (Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, 2012). Chicago Public Schools identified a record 17,255 homeless students in , a 10.7% increase from the prior year s record. The homeless enrollment included 3,005 unaccompanied youth. Approximately 40% of homeless youth reported having had one child (Johnson: Unaccompanied Homeless Youth in Illinois: 2005) Chicago s shelter inventory includes 360 beds for unaccompanied youth

6 SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN CRISIS Youth Outreach Team Twice weekly evening/nighttime street outreach to homeless and LGBTQ youth Twice weekly daytime outreach in neighborhood drop-in center Members of the Youth Outreach Team create an accessible, non-judgmental, youth-friendly, supportive presence in areas frequented by homeless and at-risk youth. Staff members provide trustworthy adult relationships and information for healthy, informed choices, along with basic support 11,262 contacts with 1,100 street-based youth, providing street counseling, referrals to social service providers, and safe recreational opportunities.

7 YOUTH OUTREACH TEAM Volunteers provide a meal at the Van and distribute self-care supplies. Outreach professionals provide testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Many of the youth we work with are facing complex, multiple life challenges, including: Homelessness/Unstable housing Issues surrounding sexual orientation and/or gender identity Substance abuse Family dysfunction Mental health

8 OPEN DOOR SHELTER WEST TOWN Our Interim Program is a professionally-staffed 120-day youth shelter program. The Interim Program houses up to 16 youth ages and five of their children. Each youth works with a case manager to develop and follow an individualized case plan. 120 youth served in FY14; 60% transitioned into more stable housing Photo Courtesy of Eileen Ryan

9 RESPONSE-ABILITY PREGNANT AND PARENTING PROGRAM (RAPPP) RAPPP offers interim shelter and supportive services program for homeless and runaway pregnant or parenting teen moms. It houses eight young women ages and up to eight of their children, up to 120 day stay. Teen moms work with a case manager to create an individualized case plan and connect with prenatal, post delivery, and well baby care health services. Goals: Increase housing safety and stability for the family Increase time between subsequent pregnancy

10 THE CRIB The Crib is an overnight youth shelter that addresses immediate needs, including dinner, breakfast, showers, laundry, hygiene supplies, access to HIV testing, a bed for the night, and referrals to other services. It houses up to 20 youth ages from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. The Crib was the first shelter of its kind in the Midwest. Low-threshold, harm reduction, traumainformed care Served 242 youth in 2013.

11 SYSTEMIC RESPONSES TO YOUTH IN CRISIS: STATEWIDE Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services (CCBYS) Mandated by Law Primary Goal: Divert youth from child welfare and juvenile justice. Seek to reunite or preserve the family Secondary Goal: Provide at-risk youth with access to supportive services in an effort to promote family preservation or reunification CCBYS serves as a first point of contact for youth in crisis (24-hour hotline), refers to shelter, assessment, brings family together, provides supportive services

12 SYSTEMIC RESPONSES TO YOUTH IN CRISIS: STATEWIDE Partnership with The Night Ministry: Youth self-refer or are referred directly by CCBYS; we call the CCBYS agency when they enter shelter CCBYS agencies must respond within 45 minutes Family work is done by CCBYS agency, while The Night Ministry provides housing Collaboration & communication are the keys Try to have a worker present at meetings with agency provider and with family members

13 SYSTEMIC RESPONSES TO YOUTH IN CRISIS: CITYWIDE Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Homeless Youth Collaborative With Chicago s Plan 2.0, Mayor announced additional $2M annually for new/expanded services and beds for homeless youth Two existing low-threshold overnight shelters expanded from seasonal to year-round (incl. The Crib), two others added Four low-threshold overnight shelters on the North, West, South, and Southwest sides Beds expanded from 40 to 114 Transportation coordination

14 SYSTEMIC RESPONSES TO YOUTH IN CRISIS: CITYWIDE Homeless Youth Engagement: Drop-in Centers Additional citywide, regional drop-in centers on the North, West, and South sides Identifies and engages unaccompanied homeless youth, links them to support services and stable housing opportunities. Coordinate services closely with the shelters in their respective regions to ensure continuity of services DFSS convenes the providers of these critical youth engagement programs as a collaborative partnership, sets common goals, and undergo cooperative evaluation

15 THANK YOU! ERIN RYAN, MSW, MPH