June 6, 2024, The Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

The Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

June 6, 2024

10:00AM to 11:30AM

Agenda

1. Open & Introductions
2. Goals of Subcommittee
3. Subcommittee Updates
4. Recap of April Meeting
5. Defining Housing Stability
6. Next Steps
7. Public Comment
8. Adjourn

Meeting Information:

Meeting Recording

Meeting Minutes:

1. Open & Introductions 
   1. Johnna Lowe, CSH
   2. Teresa Parks, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
   3. Latonia Byrd-Williamson, Department of Juvenile Justice
   4. Colleen Mahoney, IL Department of Public Health
   5. Tedd Peso, The Night Ministry
   6. Valerie Tawrel, Housing 360 Youth Services
   7. Isabella Hurtado, Governor's Office Health and Human Services
   8. Angie Mecagni, IDOC
   9. Sandy Godinez, The Harbour 
   10. Melishia Bansa, HFS
   11. Nikita Robinson, OPEH
2. Goals of Subcommittee by Tedd Peso
   1. Review the discharge planning, service plans, and discharge procedures for youth leaving the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections to determine whether such discharge planning and procedures ensure housing stability for youth leaving State systems of care.
   2. Collect data on the housing stability of youth for one year after they are released from the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health, or the Department of Corrections.
   3. Based on data collected under paragraph (2) regarding youth experiencing homelessness after leaving State systems of care, create a plan to improve discharge policies and procedures to ensure housing stability for youth leaving State systems of care.
   4. Provide recommendations on community plans for sustainable housing; create education and employment plans for homeless youth; and create strategic collaborations between the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections with respect to youth leaving State systems of care.
3. Subcommittee Updates by Co-chair & CSH
   1. Waiting on updates in the following areas:
      1. We have been working on getting youth engagement and the description for the role. Not certain if there are any updates on the description.
      2. Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant
      3. Report to the Governor's Office. The legislative mandates that this subcommittee is responsible for submitting s report to the Governor's Office. We are waiting for more insight and can share details upon learning more.
         1. We are waiting on more information on the Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant. The report to the Governor's Office would include work that has been done, future plans, and challenges that have come up. The language is broad and there is space for this group to consider what they would like to elevate in the report.
4. Recap of April Meeting by CSH
   1. Data collection implementation for the 4 systems of care discussed what implementation would look like based on the following perspectives:
      1. System Capacity
      2. Process of Approval
      3. Timeline
   2. Barriers (and Solutions) to Implementation mentioned included:
      1. Limitations on housing supports for those who identity having housing instability
      2. Staffing
      3. Congruent definition of housing stability
5. Defining Housing Stability by CSH
   1. During our April 2023 meeting CSH presented a definition of housing stability as a lawful place, meant for human habitation in which Youth (ages 18 -25) who are discharged are on the rental lease or permitted to live on the premises for at least one year.
   2. How do service providers define housing stability?
      1. Night Ministry: A lot depends on which program the youth is coming from. Generally, we mean a commitment for someone to stay for at least 90 days. Around the 6-month period we begin to see complications according to our transitional manager. We don't require a lease; a family member can submit a letter granting permission for them to stay there and giving a commitment for them to stay there. They are provided with incentives in hopes of getting the letter or lease.
      2. The Harbour: A combination of what the youth defines as stability, which could mean a variety of things such as in another program, with a roommate, with family, at a housing. We follow up with them up to a year. They are always allowed to reach out for help from us even beyond the year. We as them questions about resources they have available. We go based on what they define as stability and how we can help them to feel stable.
      3. Housing 360 Youth Services: We lead with the youth, and we discharge into a lot of rapid rehousing programs. We encourage roommates and try to assist them with any problem they encounter. The majority will go back to live with family and friends. We see about 75% who do not stay post time with rental support in rapid rehousing. Seems like an interim step, not a permanent step. Would like to know more about incentivizing folks.
         1. When the youth provide us with documentations then we give them gift cards. The general donations received fund the gift cards.
   3. Are these things congruent in conversations the other systems of care are having with the youth? Having more youth led or youth defined definitions of stability. Needing documentation to make sure things are set or sustainable for youth at discharge.
      1. Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission: Having those supports to make sure they can maintain their wellbeing to remain in that housing. We have unique situations such as sex offender or criminal background that can create issues finding housing. For us it is mainly the support for maintaining that housing situation.
      2. Housing 360 Youth Services: We have youth that are more appropriate for permanent supportive housing. Wish there was some wiggle room within that definition for PSH. They really need permanent supportive housing that includes ongoing support. We have steppingstones not really permanent answers.
      3. Department of Corrections: We contract with transitional housing providers that typically house people from 60/90 to 120 days. We expect the traditional housing vender to help them transition into stable long-term housing with the appropriate supportive services, based on our contract with them. We are seeing more pilot programs for more long-term stabile housing. We struggle with those who have high violence, high mental health needs, or very complex issues to obtain stable long-term housing.
      4. Department of Juvenile Justice: Our discussions are more youth centered. We tend to make recommendations around what is in their best interest for permanent long-term housing. The youth and family will make the decisions on where they will go, which is usually back with family. We find that our youth do not plan and look out for 12 months. We make sure they can get the support and resources. The family and youth determine what that looks like post discharge.
   4. Questions to consider as this subcommittee defines housing stability: Does stability differ depending on the youth familial network and housing independence? Does the definition include ability to maintain housing? (i.e., affordability, employment/income, etc.) Does system aftercare include housing stability supports?
      1. Aftercare is essential to include in the definition. The case manager support is more than what we do for the youth who leave shelter programs. They are responsible for a lot of landlord engagement and arranging moves. We have seen that most intensive aftercare has successfully aided in keeping housing situations stable.
      2. How do folks feel about adding affordability or income a part of the definition? CSH has worked in various communities around the US with a program called Moving On, that supports individuals who no longer need intensive case management support and permanent supportive housing to receive a subsidy from the local housing authorly. One of the eligibility requirements is that the particular resident can sustain and afford to live outside of the permanent support housing. We consider that they have income to pay to maintain housing. Does income or employment resonant on how we should define it?
      3. Question: are we working on a shared definition of housing stability? Its good to define housing stability broadly, but we would want to reflect the sub population of youth experiencing literal homelessness.
         1. To create both, having a congruent definition that can be turned into data points is needed across all systems. The goal is to figure out the both and to have the specifics within data collection. 
            1. Possible that the group should write up definitions and then potentially vote at a future meeting.
         2. The cochairs discussed having sub subcommittee meeting.
      4. Should system aftercare support be included in the definition? Should there be specific goals around time frames?
         1. Any extension of aftercare would be wise.
         2. Also understanding how adding to aftercare service and delivery would affect the system internally.
6. Next Steps
   1. Have the Systems of Care had internal conversations about implementation?
      1. DJJ: We have had some conversations around data gathering to assess youth who remained involved post discharge. We have begun to ask some of those questions post discharge around long term stability housing. We tend to find that youth who are most vulnerable to housing stability are more hesitant to provide information to the aftercare specialist. There is a mistrust with the youth to the aftercare specialist, so we don't always get the most honest information.
      2. IDOC: We have started some conversations. Chief Parrack will be able to follow up at the next convening.
      3. In the disability community we are looking at a concept called supportive living that will help to look at housing assistance for those with developmental disabilities. They would live where the choose and receive support services as needed.
   2. Based on today's conversation CSH will work on providing a couple definitions of housing stability.
   3. CSH contractual relationship ends at the end of this month. OPEH will reach out on who will be convening these meetings moving forward. Will provide the details to continue on for the next meeting.
   4. Look out for follow up from OPEH about staff supports
7. Public Comment
   1. N/A
8. Meeting adjourned at 10:57am