Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness in KFL&A › wp-content › uploads › 2017 › 11 › YH_… · 2) Youth mental health worker is an invaluable resource – based on feedback

Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness in KFL&A

Outcome: By 2020, 80% of youth who enter the homelessness system in KFL&A maintain their housing, or are housed within (30) days.

1: Homelessness Prevention

Activity April 2017

Status

Looking Ahead What will we focus on?

1.1 Support youth engagement in

school and

community

1. Youth Council recruited & supported

2. Annual Forum for youth in

schools (including alternative schools) organized by Youth Council

3. Forum for Adolescent Care

Workers/Guidance Counsellors – to provide updated information, help them with referrals and gain a better understanding of the issue – also includes youth employment

1) 1) Active Youth Council in place; monthly meetings, input into 211 Youth Portal, Youth Forum. Student trustees recruited to the Council.

2) – event in Fall 2016 to raise awareness about youth homelessness, organized by student trustees

3) 3rd youth forum held on April 7, 2017

80+ students attended; facilitated and organized by Youth Council 4) 2nd forum for educators on April 27,

2017; focus on where they can refer youth who are at risk or homeless; as well as employment programs/career choices

Additional - November 2015 – Provincial Youth

Homelessness Day at Queen’s Park - Youth Council volunteers at 2016 United

Way kick-off & throughout Fall at many workplaces, and campaign events

Continued Youth Council

Engagement Annual Youth Summit Annual Forum for Educators Additionally, the Youth Council will

contribute to a 2nd Provincial Youth Homelessness Day planned for November 2017 in partnership with MPP Sophie Kiwala and United Ways of Ontario

Activity April 2017

Status Looking Ahead

What will we focus on?

1.2 Establish Pilot Projects

(e.g. family support, mental health support, supporting LGBTQ mental health, prevention- diversion)

Pilot Programs to collect data, capture findings and build case for future funders:

1. Family mediation worker to

provide intervention (while youth is still home) in family conflict situations

2. Youth mental health support worker to support youth and help them liaise and access mental health programs including early diagnosis where appropriate

3. LGBTQ mental health worker to support youth who identify as LGBTQ in the community

4. Prevention Diversion workers to provide intake, referrals, immediate support

1) Successful pilot: Family mediation worker met with 40 families in 2016; only two of them entered the shelter system. Funding secured for second year

2) Youth mental health worker is an invaluable resource – based on feedback from youth workers at Rise@149. They tell us that this resource helps them to focus on housing issues while the mental health worker focuses on mental health and helping youth access services. This program now has a waitlist. Funding has been secured for another year

3) LGBTQ Mental Health Worker began in January 2016 - coordinated through CMHA; funded by United Way. The

program is now seeing walk ins from street involved youth

4) Prevention Diversion Workers funded through City of Kingston, with program delivered by Home Base Housing Youth Services

Additional - funding through Homelessness Partnering Strategy approved to extend Family Mediation & Youth Mental Health pilot programs for additional 7 months.

Collect data and monitor pilot

programs that have been established to address identified issues and gaps in the current system (i.e.) Family Mediation Counsellor, Addictions & Mental Health Counsellor, and LGBTQ+ Counsellor focused on mental health

Seek ongoing funding to continue

these pilots, if they are proven to be successful

Activity April 2017 Status


1.3 Promote Universal Prevention

Create and deliver awareness campaigns at schools and community awareness campaign

Youth advised that we need to inform and educate youth beginning in gr. 7-8. 1. Develop education

campaign with peer speakers, building on the campaign concept developed in 2016 (thanks to Innoweave)

2. Launch and implement speaking engagements at school assemblies in high schools and targeted Grade 7/8 presentations

Rolled out a comprehensive communications plan

Youth at Risk – 16-24 yrs

Youth Group – 12-24 yrs

(grade 7 and up)

General Public – Kingston,

Frontenac, Lennox & Addington

1&2) - Stories captured (incl. French translation), video produced by local youth council member; presentation to City Council,

Animated video developed to use in presentations

Currently working with school boards to develop program for grades 7 & 8

Collaterals developed with real stories & distributed to schools. 2) Roll Out - Spring/Fall 2017

Additional

- City Council declared May 3rd - Youth Homelessness Awareness Day

- Push For Change – 7 local events over 2 days

- 1 year - City Bus Transit Campaign launched in Dec 2016

- All high schools in the area are displaying youth stories

- Increase number of youth seeking help and services

Reduce stigma associated with youth homelessness among the general public

Other activities will include

presentations to local municipal councils, landlords and other specific groups.

2: Integrated System of Care



2.1 Establish systems and protocols to help youth access services easily, including enhancing coordinated access

1. Review existing systems, identify gaps and how the system can be more youth-centred

1) 2017

- currently observing and staying updated on new mental health protocol, and learning more about the new ministry funded programs as part of “Stepping Up” framework.

- 211 systems/protocols confirmed. Monitor/Collect data from 211 about calls regarding youth issues

Additionally, a 211Youth Services Portal is in the early phase of development, including platform geared to youth employment, mentoring opportunities, etc.

2.2 Hub for most marginalized youth (collaborative initiative)

1. Feasibility and planning report, with oversight from a steering committee

2. Secure location and

implementation / r eport

1) United Way has supported the development of plan for a Youth HUB

2) a potential location and partnership

with LDSB is being explored

Continue to review and support the

development of a Hub, targeting youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

2.3 Create system to share localized research

1. Implementation of HIFIS for all data related to youth entering the system

2. PiT Count

1) In 2016, all City funded agencies began tracking data in HIFIS, including Kingston Youth Shelter, HBH Youth Services, Addiction & Mental Health Services, Southern Frontenac Community Services; City Collects data

2) 5th Youth PiT Count conducted, Apr 5, 2017; data collection/analysis in progress

Additional - the 2nd Community Wide PiT Count was led & conducted by United Way on April 6, 2016 - Annual Youth PiT Count administered in April 2017 (results being finalized) - Youth Services map developed and shared with service providers and steering committee

Data collection through HIFIS, monitor

and report stats/outcomes, use data to inform system needs

Annual Youth Pit Count – use of date to

identify trends 3rd Community Wide PiT Count

scheduled for 2018



2.4 Continuous case management and follow up is provided

1. Case managers supported by the City and through the plan

2. Support of youth

1,2) 2015-16 and ongoing

March 2017 review and mapping of system resources; adoption of the definition of youth homelessness to include couch surfing per our youth collective impact initiative to broaden scope of prevention diversion/housing first services for youth

Ongoing data collection United Way exploring with City, KYS

& HBS to understand current service delivery model demand, gaps and pressures

Work with City to identify where additional resources are needed; United Way to provide funding for .5 FTE

2.5 Identify issues

around institutional discharge into homelessness (i.e. criminal justice, hospital, child welfare)

1. Analysis of data

2. Meet with institutions ie criminal justice, hospital, child welfare

3. Review of OW/ODSP

eligibility for youth

4. Implementation of awareness strategy and protocols

1,2) underway for 2017

3) City completed review of OW/ODSP in 2016; adjustments made to accommodate youth who are at risk of homelessness to make it easier to access; City staff trained on dealing with and communicating with youth

4) 2017-18 implementation by City with

positive feedback from agencies & service providers

Additional

- The City and United Way were invited to present on Kingston’s homelessness enumeration process at the annual Ontario East Municipal Conference in September 2016, and at the Regional Homelessness and Housing Conference in March 2017 - Homelessness Secretariat invited Kingston to participate in consultations on the provinces work regarding reducing homelessness following transitions from provincially-funded institutions and service systems (e.g., prisons, hospitals, child welfare, youth justice and violence against women shelters).

Meet with institutions, document and gather input; report on recommendations, collect and analyse data; quarterly reports

FACS is in the process of increasing

age to 18 for after care support.

Implementation of awareness strategies and protocols for OW/ODSP and monitor



2.6 Develop strategies for youth employment, skills development and career readiness

1. Consultation with youth, providers and community groups

2. Report on strategies 3. Implementation of

strategies

1) Completed in 2015

• City & United Way with a Task Force developed strategies and an action plan to address barriers to youth employment and skills development, for both barriered youth and those with education and skills. IN August, 2016 the Mayor hosted a reception to launch the initiative and City Council endorsed the plan

2) Implementation of plan now in progress

Continue work with community partners

to implement Youth Employment Strategy and report on progress

Report to be developed for August

2017

2.7 Explore feasibility of youth-centred mental health services and residential facility

1. Identify need – collect data

2. Explore feasibility,

sustainability

1) Pilot for youth-centred mental health services in place

2) Discussions underway regarding

residential facility

Additional - a private residential facility is being opened in Gananoque; they have spoken with United Way about offering space for one youth per month from the Kingston area, free of charge.

data collection and monitoring - see 1.2 - LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Worker Continue work with community partners

to explore needs, feasibility and sustainability of youth residential facility

3: Increased Range of Housing Options



3.1 Enhance role of emergency shelter in providing housing services and support

1. Identify programs and supports available at shelter, including 211 protocol for youth referrals

2. Monitor data

1) 2015 (complete)

Shelters currently provide prevention diversion, housing first and family mediation workers.

2) Ongoing

Kingston Youth Shelter re-opened on July 1st,

after temporary closure due to fire in Feb. 2016

Data collection and monitoring of

stats/outcomes towards goal of: By 2020, 80% of youth who enter the homelessness system in KFL&A maintain their housing, or are housed within (30) days.

3.2 Increase amount of transitional housing available

1. Baseline transitional housing units

2. Increase number of

units (5 initially and another 5-7 subsequently)

1) Baseline of 13 transitional housing units for youth 16-24 years

2) KYS opened a 7 bed transition house in

2015, bringing total to 20 Additional - United Way secured $1.2 million designated funding over 5 years for new 6 -bed transitional housing program for youth 16-19 years – opened April, 2017 (increase of 13 beds between 2015-2017)

3.3 Get the most appropriate housing option for youth’s needs

1. Housing First workers to help youth find housing

1) Complete 2015-16 - Housing First worker in place, funded by City

3.4 Work with housing liaison, diversion worker, eviction prevention worker, case managers and landlords in providing affordable housing options for youth

1. Increase number of affordable housing units for youth through case management workers

2. Educate landlords on the issue and increase their interest in youth tenants as part of Housing First

1) Ongoing - data to be collected

2) Data to be collected; planning of forum for

education of landlords in 2017

Increase number of affordable housing units for youth

Remove stigma among landlords

by bringing landlords together with

a community leader (like the

Mayor) hosting a lunch to discuss

the need to house youth



3.5 Municipalities review OW/ODSP policies to cover existing gaps in eligibility for youth who leave home

1. Discuss with City re: issue of OW eligibility

2. Review of eligibility

3. Implementation

1,2,3) United Way shared some of the

concerns around the OW policies with

senior staff at City of Kingston who

were unaware of the issue. A review

has been undertaken, with revisions

implemented in 2016 and ongoing

monitoring

Work with City and service providers to

monitor and collect data towards closing gaps in eligibility for youth

4: Regional Engagement & Coordination



4.1 Ensure alignment of City of Kingston’s housing and homelessness strategies (for Kingston and Frontenac) with community plan

1. Work with City when developing 10 year plan to end homelessness; build strategies developed through collective impact into this plan

1) 2014-15 and ongoing

Continued work with City when

developing 10 year plan to end homelessness to ensure strategies for youth are included

4.2 Develop plans for rural youth in neighbouring and rural communities in Lennox & Addington, Frontenac

1. Rural Summit (Frontenac) to start consultation

2. Consultation with youth and service providers in counties

3. Development of strategies and plan for rural youth

1) Rural Summit held in spring, 2016 with funding through United Way; 2

nd Rural

Summit held in April 2017

2) Planning and process underway

Frontenac Rural Committee formed

Napanee Committee being formed

Youth focus groups, community consultations being coordinated

3) Strategies & plan to be development in 2017-2018

Additional

- exploring potential development of transitional

housing in Napanee

Work with counties and

stakeholders, including youth, to develop a sustainable regional plan for youth in neighbouring rural counties

Youth Point in Time Count Data

**Youth Point in Time Count data is still being collected and analysed for 2017

Kingston Youth Shelter Data - Youth Housed Within 30 Days

2014 stats: 2015 stats: 2016 stats: 2016 compared to 2014:

In 2014, there were 224 stays for 140 unique youth

Of these, 133 completed their stay at KYS in 2014

The remaining 7 continued to reside at KYS at the beginning of 2015

In 2015, there were 207 stays for 113 unique youth



In 2016, there were 104 stays for 94 unique youth **KYS was temporarily closed in 2016 due to fire.



46 fewer youth stayed at KYS

120 fewer stays

Length of Stays at Kingston Youth Shelter 2016 compared to 2014:

When the length of their stays were totalled over the 2014 year (i.e. not continuous # of days):

31% stayed 10 days or less 31% 11-30 days

o A total of 62% stayed less than 30 days

20% 31-60 days 9% 61-90 days 10% >90


43% stayed 10 days or less 26.5% 11-30 days

o A total of 69.5% stayed less than 30 days

10% 31-60 days 7% 61-90 days 11.5% >90


49% stayed 10 days or less

22% 11-30 days o A total of 69% stayed less

than 30 days

15% 31-60 days

7% 61-90 days

8% >90

Increase in youth staying less time in shelter

18% increase in youth who completed their stay within 10 days or less

9% increase in youth who completed their stay between 11-30 days

5% decrease in youth staying 31-60 days

2% decrease in youth staying 61-90days

2% decrease in youth staying >90

Where Did Youth Go From Kingston Youth Shelter? 2016 compared to 2014:

In 2014, of the 133 youth who completed their stay with KYS:

74% were housed: (98 youth)

75 youth (or 76% ) went to long term housing

o this includes 50% (or 38 youth), who returned home or went to live with extended family

23 youth (or 24%) went to transitional housing



68 youth (or 76% ) went to long term housing o this includes 55% (or 37

youth), who returned home or went to live with extended family




52 youth (or 71% ) went to long term housing o this includes 48% (or 25

youth), who returned home or went to live with extended family


Increase in youth who are housed upon leaving shelter

5% increase in youth who were housed

(ie) -returned home or with extended family -went to transitional housing with supports for independent living

Remaining 26%: (35 youth)

16 youth (or 46%) - unknown 11 youth (31%) – went to jail 8 youth (or 23%) - asked to

leave/go to another shelter

Remaining 21%: (24 youth)

10 youth (or 42%) - unknown 7 youth (29%) – went to jail 7 youth (or 29%) - asked to


Remaining 23%: (21youth)

9 youth (or 39%) - unknown

6 youth (29%) – went to jail 4 youth (or 17%) - asked to


3% decrease in youth with unknown or less positive outcomes after leaving shelter

Youth Homelessness System

2016-17 highlights

Education & Awareness

May 3, 2016 was declared Youth Homelessness Awareness Day with the launch of an innovative education and awareness campaign depicting real stories of youth from our community with lived experience of homelessness.

In October 2016, United Way hosted Joe Roberts, a former homeless youth who spent 15 years on the streets of Vancouver, as he came through Kingston on his trek across Canada pushing a shopping cart to raise awareness about youth homelessness. Joe’s visit reaffirmed the importance of our local efforts on education and awareness and shone a light on our community as a leader on issues related to Youth Homelessness.

Youth homelessness was a theme during the United Way campaign; speakers and life sized story cutouts reinforced the issue and solutions across the community – in workplaces, government offices, City Hall, schools. The awareness campaign targeted youth at-risk, encouraging them to reach out for services; it also helped reduce the stigma of youth homelessness by increasing awareness and stories of real youth who were homeless for a number of reasons.

Planning and Strategies A Youth Employment Strategy was developed with actions to address barriers and challenges that youth face in preparing,

entering and staying in the local workforce. The Mayor held a special reception to launch the initiative and City Council endorsed the report.

Work began in the fall of 2016 to develop a plan and strategies to address the issue of youth homelessness and unique needs of youth in the neighbouring and rural communities of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties. The Youth Council provided input to the questions and consultation process for the rural youth homelessness plan, and focus groups are being planned in schools and in conjunction with rural youth serving agencies.

The 2016 and 2017 annual spring youth point in time counts were conducted to provide a snapshot of youth experiencing

homelessness in local shelters and transitional housing programs, and those believed to be homeless while attending high school in KFL&A.

Programs and Service Delivery

Three pilot projects were introduced in 2016, and funding was secured to continue them for an extended 7 months: o Family mediation worker to prevent youth from entering the homelessness system; o Addictions & Mental Health Youth Outreach program tailored to youth’s specific needs and meeting them where they

are at; and o LGBTQ+ Mental Health program promoting mental health with gender diverse youth

United Way has just approved funding for a fourth pilot project, Intersections, geared to providing early intervention, navigation and coordination of services for children & youth, ages 8 to 18, with suspected mental health, developmental disabilities and/or substance use issues, who are at risk of becoming involved with the justice system.

A new 6 bed transitional housing program for homeless youth age 16-19 years opened on April 25, 2017 through the support of Honorary Patron and local philanthropist A. Britton Smith, who made a gift of $1.2 million through United Way, to establish the program.

Youth Engagement Continued engagement of the Youth Council played a vital role in ensuring the voice of youth was always at the forefront of

our work. They held their 2nd and 3rd annual Youth Summit and facilitated interactive workshops on topics they chose related to youth homelessness and youth employment. They also provided feedback on the development of user friendly youth portal to be developed in partnership with 211.

In April 2016, guidance counsellors, adolescent care workers and educators attended an information session to learn about local resources to help youth prepare for the workforce

In April 2017, the second annual information session for educators was held highlighting an update on the state of youth homelessness and youth issues, providing valuable information on new and existing preventative programs and services that have been piloted to assist families, homeless youth and those at risk of becoming homelessness, and share the youth employment strategy that is currently being implemented in collaboration with several community partners.

Going forward, the Steering Committee has identified:

Strategies to address rural youth homelessness

Version 2.0 of the plan identifies:

a focus on needs of Aboriginal youth

youth with Intellectual Disabilities

Data and monitoring of pilot programs that have been established to address identified issues and gaps in the current system (i.e.) Family Mediation Counsellor and Addictions & Mental Health Counsellor, LGBTQ+ councillor focused on mental health.

Continued data collection and monitoring of stats/outcomes towards goal of: By 2020, 80% of youth who enter the homelessness system in KFL&A maintain their housing, or are housed within (30) days.

Work with housing supports and landlords in removing stigma and increase the number of affordable housing options for homeless youth and those at risk of homelessness

Work with the City and community partners to implement the Youth Employment Strategy and develop a report on the results

Continue to explore the needs and determine feasibility of a youth centered addictions and mental health residential facility in our region in order to provide services for youth and their families, closer to their home community

Documents

Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness in KFL&A › wp-content › uploads › 2017 › 11 › YH_… · 2) Youth mental health worker is an invaluable resource – based on feedback