Tips and Tools for Reaching the Hardest to Reach

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Tips and Tools for Reaching the Hardest to Reach

• How can NGOs and Others Support Schools in
  Reaching Out-of-School Youth?

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The National Network for Youth

• National Membership Organization with over 400
  community and faith-based CBO members including
  public agencies, regional and state youth service
  associations, youth workers, and young people
• NNYs mission is to champion the needs of
  runaway, homeless, and other disconnected youth
  through advocacy, innovation, and member services

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Definitions

• Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth are children and
  youth through age 17 who are not within the
  physical custody of a parent or guardian
• Runaways are youth under age 18 who leave their
  home or legal residence without permission from
  their parent or legal guardian

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Definitions, cont.

• Throwaways are youth who were induced by their
  parents to leave against their will and no effort
  was made by the parents to find them after they
  left home
• Homeless youth are not more than 21 years of age
  for whom it is not possible to live in a safe
  environment with a relative and who has no other
  safe alternative living arrangement

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Definitions, cont.

• Disconnected Youth
• A term used for runaway and homeless youth that
  specifically focuses on the youths separation
  from societal institutions such as family,
  school, etc.., which is indicative of their
  socioeconomic instability

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Just the Facts

• Magnitude of Youth Homelessness
• an estimated 1.6 million youth
• between 12 and 17 experience homelessness
• in a given year.
• This number is expected to increase due to the
• current economic situation in the U.S. high
• unemployment, foreclosure crisis, etc..

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Just the Facts, cont.

• Gender
• Males 42
• Females 52
• 30 of youth on the street are 15-16 years old
• Caucasian females comprise 31 of youth on the
  street

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Just the Facts, cont.

• Race/Ethnicity
• Caucasian 57
• Black/African American 27
• American Indian/Alaskan Native 3
• Asian .9
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander .6

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Why Youth Leave Home

• Severe Family Conflict
• Parental Abuse and/or Neglect
• Parental Mental Health Issues
• Parental Substance Use
• Economic Issues
• Unsafe Environment

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Why Youth Are Forced to Leave Home

• Sexual Orientation
• Pregnancy/Parenting Status
• Use of Drugs or Alcohol
• Normal Adolescent Behavior
• Family Poverty
• Family Understanding of Adult Milestones

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Other Factors that Contribute to Youth
Homelessness

• Child Welfare System Shortcomings
• Abrupt Exits from Custodial Care
• Housing Discrimination
• Low-wage Incomes and Inability to Afford
  Available Housing

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How to Identify RHY

• Lack of Continuity in Education
• Physical and Medical Difficulties
• Social Difficulties
• Emotional Difficulties
• Social and Behavioral Concerns
• Parental Behavior (if applicable)

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McKinney Vento Act

• Law requiring that the needs of
• homeless youth are addressed
• schools must eliminate barriers to
• enrollment, attendance, and success
• in schools for students.
• The act also mandates that schools
• appoint a liaison to work with homeless
• students and their families as well as serve as a
  resource for educators

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McKinney Vento Act, cont.

• Obstacles to Success
• Mobility 50 of homeless youth attend three
  different schools in a year
• Transportation to their school of origin is a
  barrier
• Stigma and prejudice from the school system
  (teachers, administrators, and staff)
• Limited resources for implementation

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How Can You Help?

• Identify Community Service Agencies
• Know Sources of Alternative Housing in Your Area
• Become Familiar with Low-Income Neighborhoods
• Provide Outreach Materials and Posters

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How Can You Help?, cont.

• Work with the Local Homelessness Task Force
• Compile Addresses of Local Shelters and Know the
  Staff
• Develop Relationships with Truancy Officials and
  Attendance Officers
• Provide Awareness Activities

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Announcing NNYs Community Action Toolkit!!

• This valuable resource with tips
• and tools for S/LEAs to work with
• community-based programs
• serving runaway and homeless youth
• will soon be available from NNY.

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For More Information

• Kayla Jackson
• Vice President of Programs
• National Network for Youth
• 202-783-7949, ext. 3103
• kjackson_at_nn4youth.org
• www.nn4youth.org