Illinois Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

May 11, 2023

Agenda

Presenter: Johnna Lowe

Opening and introductions

  • Subcommittee Introductions
    • Name, Role, State department/ organization 

Presentation from Chapin Hall

  • Amy Dworsky, Senior Research Fellow at University of Chicago

IL Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

Systems of Care

Gap Analysis

April's Meeting Revisited

  • Presentations on the service and discharge plans for the 4 Systems of Care
    • Department of Juvenile Justice (Tyrie Fluker and Latonya Byrd-Williamson)
    • Department of Children and Family Services (Chevelle Bailey)
    • Division of Mental Health (Patty Hudson)
    • Department of Corrections (Jennifer Parrack)

Service & Discharge Plans

Arrival (Data collection entity?)
Identifying a host site/housing placement. (Identified time frame at host site? Primary reliance on youth's network?)
Service Position
If not approved housing placement, facility refers to the Placement Resource Team. (Relies on community resources and available housing stock)
Discharge Planning 90 days before discharge
Discharge/Exit

Aftercare

6 months, 12 months, and 1.5 years

  • Dept of Juvenile Justice
    • Housing/Homeless Expertise
    • Staffing Hiring/Retention Concerns

Service & Discharge Plans

Entry into the System (Internal data collection entity Division of Regulation and Monitoring?) 

Service Provision Age 14 introduce Casey Life Assessment

Partnership with community providers and Family Advocacy Centers

Independency Planning

  • Countdown to 21
  • (Want Family Reunification Vouchers & Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers)

Internal Resources

  • Cash Assistance (limited)
  • Supervised Independent Living (housing ready approach, behavioral and criteria mandates)

Aftercare

  • Triage relationship with other service providers including property mangers. (Primarily virtual)
  • Dept of Children and Family Services
    • Focus on building youth capacity to sustain independently.
    • NO guaranteed vouchers for youth. Need Public Housing Authority to apply.
    • Housing/Homeless Specialist
    • Better statewide relationships with all PHAs

Service & Discharge Plans

Arrival (Data collection entity other than point in time?)
Identifying civil patient vs forensic patient
Service Provision

Utilization on DMH funded residential program if/when available if not housing stability options are available for civil youth.

  • Courts determine placement for forensic youth.
Discharge Planning (short time frame before discharge.)
Discharge/Exit

Aftercare

  • Focus is on medication resources and other mental health needs.
  • Dept of Mental Health
    • Primary role is mental health stabilization
    • Concerns about emergency rooms using DMH funded facilitates.
    • No youth specific services
    • Financial assistance is only related to medication.

Service & Discharge Plans

Arrival (Data collection entity?)
ORAS Assessment Plan for discharge
Service Provision
Re-Entry Unit (limited access. Available staff vs demand.)

Discharge Planning Parole Reentry Group, a statewide unit that focuses on placement/exit. (Need vs available community resources.)

  • Statewide Specialized Housing Coordinator!
Discharge/Exit (funds available vs demand)

Aftercare

Youth specified

  • Dept of Corrections
    • Linkages to community resources.
    • Landlord Acceptance.
    • Lack of financial assistance.

Areas for Growth

  • Statewide Data collection entity
    • Cross-reference youth in various systems
    • Understanding of trends, nuisances, success
  • Access/Incorporation to Coordinated Entry Systems/Continuum of Care resources
    • Staff time is primarily focused on direct services
  • Cross System Working relationships
    • System Integration Team meetings
    • Learning about new and developing resources
  • Financial Supports/Rental Assistance for youth
    • PHA applications for FUP and FYI vouchers
      • Cross reference with Systems of Care to see if a need to apply

Questions & Answers

April's Meeting Revisited

  • Presentations on the service and discharge plans for the 4 Systems of Care
    • Department of Juvenile Justice (Tyrie Fluker and Latonya Byrd-Williamson)
    • Department of Children and Family Services (Chevelle Bailey)
    • Division of Mental Health (Patty Hudson)
    • Department of Corrections (Jennifer Parrack)
  • What does your department/division need to support youth discharging/exit to housing stability?

Thank you!

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