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2013

2013. Background . Hidden subpopulation of homeless individuals Undercounted in the Point-in-Time Count Identification of service needs. Partnerships. Subcommittee to plan the 2013 YOUth Count The Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness The Night Ministry

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2013

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  1. 2013

  2. Background • Hidden subpopulation of homeless individuals • Undercounted in the Point-in-Time Count • Identification of service needs

  3. Partnerships • Subcommittee to plan the 2013 YOUth Count • The Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness • The Night Ministry • The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless • Teen Living Programs • La Casa Norte • A Safe Haven • Broadway Youth Center • Traffic Free

  4. Methodology • Past failures or lessons • Movement away from coverage area • Expansion of time over a period of days • New electronic format • Revised survey tool adapted for youth • Youth provider network with special events to entice youth to participate.

  5. Date and Time • Not one night! • Starts Wednesday, September 25, 2013 and ends Tuesday, October 8, 2013 • Survey accessible in many ways • DFSS website • Subcommittee Agency and Youth Providers websites • Paper format

  6. Survey Tool • Relevant questions for youth • Designed to determine housing stability • More extensive questions • Electronic format • Ease of use/access by youth and youth providers • Sense of comfort • Anonymity • Quicker turnaround of results

  7. Results • Test a different methodology aimed specifically at the undercounted population • Attempt to determine the size of this hidden population • Determine the diversity of special needs of this population

  8. How can YOU help? • Spread the word about the 2013 YOUth Count • On your website or post a flyer at your facility • Email the flyer or link to user groups or placement in your agency newsletter • Inform your community partners • Encourage participation by youth you serve • Assist youth through the online process or request printed surveys from DFSS

  9. Survey Facts • The electronic survey takes only 10 to 15 minutes for the average participant • The survey has approximately 38 questions • The printed survey may require additional time • Some questions are sensitive in nature • Electronic submission is preferred

  10. Who fills out the survey? • Online survey is easy to use and a youth may participate in private • With youth consent, the service provider or another individual may act as an interviewer • Assisting a youth with the survey may require additional time

  11. Let’s begin! • The survey is anonymous, but we use identifiers to de-duplicate participants who may submit more than one response • There is no incentive to submit more than one response • Question 3 through 6 are basic demographic data modified for youth

  12. Housing Stability • Questions 7 through 13 regarding housing stability • The questions were crafted in such a way to determine some of the causes of their housing instability • The causes of housing instability gives useful insight to this population

  13. Origins • Question 14 through 16 were included to determine if youth is originally from the area • Determine if Chicago is attracting youth to the area • If so, where are they originating from • Question 17 and 18 provide useful data regarding youth that may have aged out of foster care or been in the DCFS system

  14. School • Question 19 through 21 regarding schooling serve two purposes: • Level of education attained • How long ago were they enrolled • And by naming the school, we have some information by community area

  15. Catch 22 • Question 22 requests information on the criminal background of the youth participant • Based on focus group response, this was the most offensive question • The youth felt that this question unfairly labels youth with minor offenses in the same category as more heinous crimes • Further, homeless youth are distrustful of police • However, the question was retained because this is a crucial barrier for youth to obtain employment as well as housing

  16. Kids with Kids • Question 23 through 26 ask youth about any pregnancies or children • Ages of any children • The number of youth that have children and where those children are living provides guidance on the needs of these youth

  17. Economic Stability • Question 27 asks about income including non-traditional or illegal activities • Questions 28 and 29 determines whether the youth has access to consistent meals • Question 30 asks directly if the youth is being provided services

  18. Health and Safety • Questions 31 and 32 ask about health insurance coverage and access to medical services. • Question 33 ask about their safety before they became homeless or during their period of homelessness. • Question 34 asks about domestic violence

  19. Indicators of Vulnerability • Question 35 repeats the option first seen under income regarding trading sex for food or shelter. • Question 36 is an indicator of a youth’s vulnerability to become homeless • Question 37 is an attempt to determine what barriers to housing the youth participant has faced. • Question 38 is an open-ended question hoping to inspire the youth participant to share their experiences

  20. Where to they go now? • Apart from the open-ended question, DFSS is providing a summary of organizations and contact information for the youth participant • This process is similar to the PIT street count where volunteers passed out palm cards to homeless with important phone numbers

  21. What’s in it for the youth? • There are no incentives to participate or submit multiple entries. • DFSS has partnered with youth providers to host events during the two week period. • Partners will be issuing t-shirts and cinch backpacks with the YOUth Count logo to community event attendees. • If your organization is interested in such items, please contact DFSS

  22. What’s in it for us? • DFSS and its partners are excited to be hosting such an initiative with hopes that it can be repeated again either annually or seasonally. • The information will allow DFSS and other youth service providers to gain an understanding of the needs and types of barriers common among youth. • To ascertain the number of youth currently facing housing instability.

  23. How YOU can get answers? • DFSS will be posting the link and information about the 2013 YOUth Count on its website: www.cityofchicago.org/fss •  Information regarding community events will also be posted. • Training webinar and materials will be made available. • Questions or concerns? Call me at 312-746-6685 or email at adriana.camarda@cityofchicago.org

  24. Thank you!

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