The Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee
December 3, 2024
2:00PM to 3:30PM
Agenda:
- Open and Introductions
- Subcommittee Goals and Updates
- October Meeting Recap
- Legislative Mandate and Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Grant
- Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Overview
- Next Steps
- Public Comments
- Adjourn
Meeting Minutes:
Youth Subcommittee Meeting Minutes (approved by committee on 4/1/25):
I. Open and Introductions
A. Anna Spreitzer, OPEH
B. Tedd Peso, The Night Ministry
C. Teresa Parks, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
D. Amy Dworsky, Chapin Hall
E. Ashley Bae, Division of Mental Health
F. Chevelle Bailey, DCFS
G. Colleen Mahoney, OPEH
H. Jamie Mocker, DCFS
I. Niya Kelly, Chicago Collation to End Homelessness
J. Tyrie Fluker, DJJ
K. Barbara Hobrock, IDHS
L. Billy Lau, OPEH
M. Kate Ulmer, IL State Board of Education
N. Jennifer Parrack, IDOC
O. Valerie Tawrel, 360 Youth Services
P. Nikita Robinson, OPEH
II. Subcommittee Goals and Updates
A. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. 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.
III. October Meeting Recap
A. Last meeting, we had discussed having a survey for the work on this project however we learned that the research project under the Youth Homelessness Systems and Improvement grant (YHSI) will satisfy the legislative requirement for data tracking.
B. We have a new youth representative who has been appointed to the youth subcommittee.
IV. Legislative Mandate and Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Grant
A. The bulk of our meeting will be aimed at discussing the legislative mandate and Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Grant.
V. Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Overview
A. What are YHSI grants?
i) HUD awarded 38 grants (3 in IL) totaling $51M. Grants can be used to improve an existing or established a new youth homelessness response system. Focus is on systemic change. It is a 30-month grant period.
ii) Illinois sought this funding to address the large amount of youth who are experiencing homelessness after leaving state care, the lack of integrated data systems which recognize those at high risk of homelessness, and the minimum opportunities for youth leaders with lived experience to provide input.
B. What are the goals of the State's YHSI Project?
i) Through strategic partnerships we can increase young people's voice in state government and understand how to reduce homelessness among youth leaving systems of care. The strategic partners consist of young people at risk for or experiencing homelessness, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), Department of Human Services Homeless Youth Bureau (DHS). Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
C. What are the components?
i) Data infrastructure and youth development.
(1) Data Infrastructure: The HMIS data from across the state will be linked with data from DCFS, DJJ, and DHS. Results will inform improvements in discharge planning.
(2) Youth Development: DCFS and OPEH will have youth internships. The youth interns will become the youth leaders. The youth leaders will help to inform the creation of a statewide youth advisory group.
D. How long will the research project take to get data back?
i) In the process of getting the data sharing agreements in place. It will be at least a couple months for the agreements. Imagine maybe 6 to 9 months before we would see any data.
E. We are in the planning period (October through March) for the award. Hope to have a more refined timeline for the various components. This group can provide ongoing advice and leadership as the award gets going. Any thoughts on providing ongoing guidance towards the award project?
F. Will the youth recruited to be interns will be represented statewide?
i) The goal is to have youth across the state.
G. We need members for the steering committee.
H. This group is primed to be apart of the work. If we aren't able to engage in this work, we know what happens to the youth who leaves systems without support. Finding out how to build a better safety net is imperative to all of the agencies here.
I. Is there a time commitment for participating in the steering committee?
i) That will be determined by the next time we meet. We welcome participation and will continue to provide updates to the youth subcommittee meetings. Want to make sure that the youth systems of care have a representative.
J. We are hoping that the data analysis will help to identify some ways we can plan to better support youth upon their discharge from the systems of care.
VI. Next Steps
A. We will be meeting as a steering committee in January and will have more information to share.
B. Amy may reach out to learn more details about the discharge procedures of each agency.
VII. Public Comments
A. N/A
VIII. Adjourn
Meeting Recording:
Recording
