State Government: Addressing Youth Homelessness

1. State Government: Addressing Youth Homelessness Tracy D’Alanno Colorado Department of Human Services Supportive Housing and Homeless Programs tracy.DAlanno@state.co.us 303-866-7361

2. History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services • Pressure by homeless youth advocates resulted in the passage of The Colorado Homeless Youth Services Act of 2002 (HB 02-1159) • Legislative Intent: To create a vehicle through which services to homeless youth statewide could be improved by coordinating current services and facilitating interagency collaboration to identify gaps, remove barriers, improve access and share information.

3. History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services • Office originally housed under the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment with proposed funding form U.S. Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. • Budget cuts resulted in lack of anticipated funding and the office was in operation for just one year with a .5 position.

4. History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services • In 2004, HB 04-1107 transferred the Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS) to the Colorado Dept. of Human Services with one full time position. • Copy of Legislation

5. Main Objectives Office of Homeless Youth Services • Identification and removal of obstacles to the provision of services to homeless youth; • Improved quality of services provided to homeless youth; • Reduction of duplication in the provision of services to homeless youth; • Identification of funding resources available to serve homeless youth.

6. Non-profit providers Faith based agencies Alternative High Schools Federal Admin. For Children and Families Dept. of Education Dept. of Public Health and Environment Labor and Employment Key Youth Initiatives Public Safety Judicial Child Welfare Youth Corrections Div. Alcohol and Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Denver Workforce Development Denver Police County Human Services Identification of Key StakeholdersBuilding relationships across disciplines and providers

7. SuccessFamily Unification Program • 100 Transitional Section 8 Vouchers • Six providers • Pilot with Child Welfare and SHHP • Focus on homeless youth involved in foster care

8. SuccessDevelopment of a Planning Structure • Advisory Committee on Homeless Youth • Administration for Children and Families (ACF) • Eight State Agencies • Nine Counties • Two Public Schools • Eight Community Providers • Three Work Groups • Data Collection • Mainstream Benefits Acquisition • Employment • Coordination with State Interagency Council on Homelessness

9. Other Successes • New Homeless Youth Shelter in Grand Junction • Improved focus and emphasis on data collection in state and local homeless point in time surveys • Mental Health Services – facilitated the expansion of free mental health services to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered youth

10. Identifying Needs and Gaps in Service Delivery • Strategic Planning and Data • Emergency Shelter and Crisis Services • Discharge Planning – Child Welfare and Youth Corrections • Outreach • Mainstream Benefit Acquisition • Transitional and Permanent Housing • Education • Income • Youth Development Opportunities

11. Challenges • Turf Issues • Difficult Population • Gaining commitment from government officials • Staff Turnover • Lack of state resources • Multi-issued problem

12. Next Steps • Advisory Committee Retreat • Developing a Strategic Plan, including policy recommendations to facilitate the reduction or removal of gaps and barriers. • Improved data collection – HMIS and Statewide Homeless Survey