Holy Macro! Big picture thinking on and lessons from working with disconnected homeless youth

1. Holy Macro!Big picture thinking on and lessons from working with disconnected homeless youth

2. 2012 Valley Youth House Independent Living Program Continuum

3. Some Quick Definitions Disconnected Youth = an noninstitutionalized young person between 16 – 19 (or 24 depending on the study) who is detached from BOTH school and work. 7% - 10% meet this definition annually. Homeless Youth = an unaccompanied youth (12+ years of age) who is without family support and who is living on the streets, in cars or vacant buildings, who is “couch surfing” or living in some other unstable circumstances. Approximately 2.8 million youth annually.

4. Lesson 1Nothing successful happens overnight. For programs and youth alike it is an evolutionary journey that requires a reasonably firm foundation on which a series of successes validates achievement.

5. Lesson 2 PLAN PLAN PLAN!!! Planning affects all aspects of a program from design and curriculum development to client goal setting and managing relapse. Know where you are, know where you want to go, expect and plan for the unexpected, and know there are some things you will miss along the way.

6. Lesson 3 If you can’t engage them, you can’t work with them! (that goes for everyone) “Been there, done that” is not as good as “can go there and will do that!”

7. Lesson 4 You are never alone. No matter how new or sophisticated you are there is ALWAYS another program or person who has already been wherever you are, is where you are going, or knows someone who can help. All you have to do is ask.

8. Lesson 5 Never underestimate youth clients. They are usually more skilled and knowledgeable than staff in many areas (such as resistance, making impossible things work, or the “Hail Mary” tactic. Pay attention, they have a lot to teach us.

9. Lesson 6 Know the difference between eligibility and acceptability. While many youth may meet eligibility requirements, there may be other issues that can prevent their success. Corollary Know the difference between “screening out” and “screening in”. You want to be a “screening in” program.

10. Lesson 7 Young new staff are often learning their own life skills at the same time they are teaching them to youth clients. Be patient with them.

11. Lesson 8 Do not confuse STYLE with MODEL. Style is an issue related to people. Model is design. Staff implement models. They need room to be resourceful and flexible within the boundaries of the model.

12. Lesson 9 Resolution of non-specific (clinical) independent living issues is often a better predictor of long-term success than skill acquisition. The baggage youth bring can be viral and infect their best intentions and your goals. Pay attention to their unfinished emotional and family business.

13. Lesson 10 Independent living is always an anxiety producing and terrifying experience for youth clients regardless of how prepared they appear to be.

14. Lesson 11 Embed Positive Youth Development in everything you do (program, staff, and organizational culture). It will save you time, it will inspire your staff and youth and it will eliminate many of the problem issues found in traditional youth-serving organizations.

15. Lesson 12 Transparency is your friend. Own the things that you are responsible for (even if you really messed-up).

16. Lesson 13 The road never ends as long as you are willing to travel on it.