The Problems & Barriers ofRHYA as Social Policy

Four Main Points:

1. Historically this issue addressed juvenile delinquency & the need to control these youth

• Rehab youth for integration

2. Social programs have limited funding & rules, regulations

• Cause some to slip through the cracks

3. Out-dated & Incorrect definitions of “homeless youth” help problems in #2

• International definitions are better

4. US fix definition of “homeless youth”

• Align w/ International, remove delinquency model

US fix legislation

• Separate “runaways” and “homeless youth”

SUMMARY

The United States needs to do a better job of defining and caring for homeless youth.

The International community does a better job and the US should adopt its model.

RESEARCH METHODS

1. Historical – showed how RHYA evolved

2. Social Programs compared & contrasted –rules & regulations detailed to show how youth fall thru the cracks

3. Analysis of Definitions – showed how/why International definitions & programs are better than US

Historical details, Detailed Analysis, Compare &

Contrast = RIGOROUS

Policy Types Lowi’sOverlapping Categories

• Distributive Policy

– Define homeless youth

– Define juvenile delinquents

– These definitions have evolved and changed based on the current political climate

– Specific criteria created to identify each group

• How and where will they receive services

– Much of the legislation is reactive vs proactive in dealing with each group

Policy Types Lowi’sOverlapping Categories

Regulatory Policy

• Funding sources are identified depending on the social program the homeless youth is serviced under

• Specific laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines drive each social program

• Accountability & oversight are major issues

Policy Types Lowi’s Overlapping Categories

• Redistributive Policy

– Funding is diverted from other sources to pay for the Transitional Living Program, Basic Centers Program, and the Street Outreach Program

Distributive Strategies For Promoting this Policy

• Communicating the need of homeless youth is a prime example of the distributive policy.

– Lawmakers must be educated

– Special interest groups offer examples of public policy

Regulatory Strategies For Promoting this Policy

• Identifying the groups and committees who’s support will be needed

• Everyone wants to help the homeless yet no one wants them in their neighborhood

• Lobbyists are needed

Redistributive Strategies For Promoting this Policy

• Identifying proponents, as well as opponents is essential in creating well rounded legislation

– Opponents: Homeschool advocates

• divert funding

– Proponents: special education advocate

• save their funds from being diverted

Strategies For Promoting this Policy

• The bottom line is that the government wants to advertise their efforts to fix/reduce the homeless youth problem to their constituents.

• Raises public awareness

• Improves their images.

Benefits of Adopting the International Definition

• Broader and more inclusive in terms of their scope

• Continuum as opposed to categories which would provide broader services

• The role of the children within the definition would provide a more positive view of our children who are without adequate housing

Benefits of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child

Policy and laws are examined noting “every child has the

right to have access to adequate food, shelter, education,

health, and participation rights

Delegates to the convention are made up of children and

their voices are heard in regards to these issues

The convention supports epidemiological studies across

countries to assess the needs of the children and estimate

where each country falls into in terms of child poverty

Systems Change-Another Benefit

• Systems change is a policy instrument that “transfers official authority among individuals and agencies”

Consequences and Disadvantagesof the Social Policy

• Macro-level regulations and macro-level solutions typically filter down from top Government causing confusion and stress on local governments

• Current programs that exist would be forced to re-evaluate and funding issues for new programs

• Many of the current programs are operating in isolation and would have to work towards a common unity

• Potential out cry of citizens who feel their tax dollars should be spent differently, and perhaps they disagree with the international definition

Application to the Workforce and LeadershipMcKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001• The term "homeless children and youths"--• (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime

residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and• (B) includes--• (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due

to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;

• (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings

• (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

• (iv) migratory children

Our Citizens

All the “citizens of the world” who live under the umbrella of homeless youth are counting on our

leadership!