February 8, 2024, The Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

The Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee

February 8, 2024

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Virtual WebEx - See below for meeting information

Agenda:

Open & Introductions
Goals of Subcommittee
Recruitment of Youth of Lived Experience
Data Collection Update
Scoping for Systems of Care Data Collection
Youth Homeless System Improvement Grant Application
Public Comment
Closing

Meeting Information:

Meeting Recording

Presentation:

Illinois Youth Homelessness Prevention Meeting 2/8/2024

Meeting Minutes:

Open & Introductions by Tedd Peso
1. John Egan, DCFS
2. Johnna Lowe, CSH
3. Melishia Bansa, HFS
4. Christine Haley, OPEH
5. Nick Johnson, Co-Chair
6. Ashley Bae, Division of Mental Health
7. Eva Moore, IDJJ
8. Teresa Parks, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
9. Tedd Peso, The Night Ministry
10. Latonia Williamson, Department of Juvenile Justice
11. Jennifer Parrack, IDOC
12. Karrie Rueter
13. Valerie Tawrel, 360 Youth Services
14. Nikita Robinson, OPEH
Goals of Subcommittee by Tedd Peso
1. To review the discharge planning service plans and discharge procedures for youth leaving 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. To collect data on the housing stability of youth for one year after they are released from the custody or guardianship of the four systems of care identified previously. Based on the data collected, the goal is to create a plan to improve discharge policies and procedures to ensure housing stability for youth leaving state systems of care. To provide recommendations on community plans for sustainable housing. To create education plans for homeless youth. And to create strategic collaboration between the four state systems of care with respect to youth leaving custody.
Recruitment of Youth of Lived Experience by Johnna Lowe
1. At our last meeting of 2023 we discussed goals to recruit youth of lived expertise for this committee. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless staff had identified that they have funds available to support the participation of youth with lived experience in this subcommittee. We would like to receive any feedback about the paid description that was sent out and to discuss any next steps for the recruitment of the youth. The language of the description comes largely from the website describing the subcommittee.
2. When CSH, CCH, SHPA, and the Co-Chairs met, some questions that came up We wanted to understand the process of the governor's office approval of the youth appointments. Would it make sense for co-chairs to support youth applicants through the process? What does compensation and support look like to the Youth of Lived Experience? How to navigate if youth with lived expertise would like to participate in the committee but are also still seeking resources themselves?
  1. Need to clarify the way in which we talk about compensation for participation in the committee. Within the legislation, the youth subcommittee does not have the authorization to have paid positions. We have an advocate organization that is designed to support persons with lived expertise who is compensating the youth for participation. Want to be clear on where the compensation is coming from and run it through our general counsel.
  2. In the meeting with SHPA and the Chicago Collation for the homeless we discussed payment structures and ways to support the youth outside of the subcommittee space. Would like feedback on the qualifications for the youth's role.
  3. The description was shared this with the Night Ministry youth leadership board and they were not clear on what the subcommittees means, why the work is important, why these systems, how they would be involved and what is the ultimate goal?
  4. Are their specific qualifiers in the governor's office approval? IS a background check a part of the process?
    1. Yes, there is an approval process that happens in the governor's office. Will need to connect with Isabella to understand the parameters around the approval process and how to use the description document.
  5. Is the appointment process the concern or is no one expressing interest?
    1. Both concerns about previous applications that had been submitted and unsure of overall knowledge of the request for engagement in the committee. Upon getting a finalized version of the engagement tool we would need to identify specific platforms or spaces to share to the youth.
    2. Contract providers may be a good platform to connect with because they often have youth action boards; in addition to the CoCs.
  6. Is the age important? Currently encouraging an eased hiring process for those who have lived experience at DCFS. Would you want the perspective of an individual who is 30 who aged out of DCFS and maybe was even homeless for a period of time in this committee space?
    1. Someone with the most recent experience is the important piece. Opportunities such as this are good leadership development for young people.
    2. Have to remember the conflict of compensation for participation of individuals with lived expertise in this space if they are also employed in the sector.
    3. Thinking of some of the persons with lived experience that would have valuable input. We have found it difficult to obtain youth participation. We are asking them to come to these meetings for a one-time payment. Just wondering if this structure is beneficial.
    4. We cannot change the structure, but hopefully we can find a sweet spot would be helpful.
    5. We can think about additional ways to provide support and mentorship to youth who participate in these committees.
Data Collection Update by OPEH
1. Staff from OPEH were looking into potential partnerships with getting data collection.
2. Can discuss when we talk about the homeless systems grant. No specific updates to report.
Scoping for Systems of Care Data Collection by Johnna Lowe
1. As we work to figure out what the data collection platform is, we should consider what this will look like for systems of care who do not currently collect data related to the youth exiting the system, housing stability, where they go, etc. What is this going to look like for the systems of care? One thing is to have a place to put the data and what changes need to happen with the system for them to do so. Johnna's goal is to develop that strategic plan for the four systems.
2. Want to assess and identify proper point in service delivery or provision. What changes need to occur to meet those legislative goals. What communication needs to take place? Are there specific reports that need to be produced to collect data? Who is a part of the approval process and what is the timeline?
3. Next steps are to communicate internally about the service delivery assessment. CSH will schedule meetings with each system to outline a strategy for implementation. Any questions?
  1. At DCFS we are discussing having a contracted individual to continue to work with the youth every year. So, it would not be us reaching out to the youth a year later, but we would have a relationship with them with a chance to get the information.
  2. Each system will have to do this data collection, even if it looks different. Funding will likely be an issue. Aftercare varies for each of the systems of care.
  3. Are there any systems that are currently collecting the data we are seeking?
    1. Some of the systems are collecting the information but is held in different places.
  4. Each youth at DCFS is eligible for healthcare and they stay on the insurance until they are 26. So, we could potentially get data on those who remain on the insurance. DCFS has been required to follow up with the youth through a database, but the participation has been incredibly low.
4. Johnna will schedule some meetings with the systems of care. At the next meeting, will share more about those meetings.
Youth Homeless System Improvement Grant Application by Tedd Peso & Christine Haley
1. HUD has created a grant called Youth Homeless Systems Improvement (YHSI). The grant is designed to support communities across the country to improve or create systems that support youth experiencing homelessness. The grant is focused on several systemic change items. The application is due February 15.
2. ICOY is also applying for the grant, with the focus on Chicago and suburban cook regions of Illinois. We are looking to apply for this grant at the state level, specifically to support the work of the youth homeless prevention subcommittee.
  1. There are two components of the work we would be competitive for, one being around data. This could help to advance the legislation around collecting data and data matching. Would identify an honest data broker and conduct a protected matching process to identify who those users are. Want to see in this space to understand who the contacts are.
  2. The second component is around strengthening our youth engagement. Would like to take this opportunity to understand how we can elevate the voice of youth with lived expertise. Looking at creating an infrastructure that would empower the voice of youth and allow for youth engagement between policy makers. Looking to see if the application will be submitted by the state or if it would be submitted through a partner agency. Also, would include engagement with the 19 CoCs and an access to the HMIS data.
3. That is a great opportunity for the state. Do you think that the two applications within the state will be an issue?
  1. Did speak with ICOY and don't think that there would be any conflict.
  2. Did they mention a reason why they decided to apply regional base instead of statewide?
    1. Its kind out of interest from some providers. It started with some providers in Chicago and suburban cook who brought on ICOY to lead it. It was an urge for the state to apply. It was a general understanding that the two applications could stand concurrently since they were addressing different components. Also, suburban cook county has been successful in the YHP grant. Hoping that the application would help to support the YHP grant as well.
Public Comment
1. N/A
Closing Meeting adjourned at 11am