Services Optional: Using a Voluntary Services Approach

Presentation to National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference

February 10th, 2012

Deanne Pearn, Co-Founder and VP of Policy

www.firstplaceforyouth.org

First Place was founded in 1998 to end poverty and homelessness among transition age youth (age16-24)

We are a statewide organization serving over 1,200 youth and providing housing and intensive services to over 350 youth and 100 children annually.

First Place Mission

A continuum of transitional support services for youth ages16-24 that includes:

Access to permanent, safe affordable housing with a transitional rental subsidy

Employment training, employment case management, and job development Education assessment and academic support Adult guidance, emotional support and positive peer relationships

Program Overview

My First Place Service Model

Housing

• Scattered site, master lease,

permanent• Graduated rental

subsidy• Move-in assistance

• Strategic

partnerships with developers

•Separate property management arm

Connections

•Weekly check-ins with mobile Youth Advocate•Case loads ≤ 15•Healthy connections with family, friends and others•Cohort model

Education & Employment

• EE Specialists: one-on-one

• EE Manager: develops

partnerships with employers

•“Next Generation” EE services

LONG TERM GOALS: 1) 2 years of PSE 2)Living wage employment 3) Permanent housing 4) Avoidance of risky behaviors, such as incarceration or early pregnancy

Housing Options

Scattered Site 85% Youth are placed in 1 and 2-bedroom apartments throughout the community with intensive support services.

Host Home 8% Youth identify a Permanent Adult connection and live with that person in the family home

Clustered 7% Sites in which we partner with affordable housing providers to obtain set aside units for youth in larger housing developments (i.e. 20 units for youth in a 80 unit building).

My First Place Intake Process

Eligibility/ Orientation

•Age 18-23•In foster care at 18•Probation placement at 18•Shelter stay within 2 yrs

Assessment

• Screens for risk factors such as homeless, no GED, disconnected• Prioritize highest risk youth for services

Step it Up

•Complete 2 week economic literacy training•Budgeting, goal setting, circles of support, CASAS exam•Must complete or can come to next class

Waitlist

•Youth moved in housing as it becomes available•Single youth replace single youth, parents replace parents•PRIORITY TO HIGHEST RISK YOUTH

Measures of Success

Stable Housing Up to 65% of former foster youth are at risk of homelessness

84% of our youth maintain stable housing

Employment advancement Over 50% of former foster youth are unemployed

77% of First Place participants are employed

Education advancement 64% of former foster youth do not complete high school and only 10% enroll in post secondary school

76% First Place participants earn a diploma/GED and 71% enroll in college

Healthy Living 25% of former foster youth will be incarcerated before their 20th birthday and 60% of females will give birth before their 22nd birthday

Less then 6% of First Place participants are incarcerated and less then 5% give birth

Longer Stays Drive SuccessRISK FACTOR Overall

Success Rate

<17 Months > 17 Months

Overall success 50% 26% 71%

Unemployed 44% 21% 67%

No HSD/GED 30% 10% 55%

4 or more placements

41% 27% 63%

Homeless since leaving care

47% 28% 68%

Pregnant/parenting 35% 21% 50%

Probation history 31% 22% 43%

Multiple risk factors 38% 22% 57%Definition of “Successful” graduation:Transitioned from MFP to Stable Housing AND at least ONE of the following:Employed for at least 9 months while in program OR Achieved HSD/GED while in program OR Completed at least 2 semesters of Post Secondary Education while in program (with passing grades) OR Achieved a vocational certificate OR college degree

Engaging Youth While Allowing for “Consequences”

Housing first, with a focus on permanent housing, allows for emphasis on education, employment and other interpersonal gains

Youth development/harm reduction approach allows us to meet youth where they are at and keep in program

Partnership model where youth sets goals for education/employment and personal life and views YA and EE specialist as resources

Performance management system puts onus on staff to meet with their youth- and they are creative in making contacts

Mobile case management, mobile technology supports the work Flexible with rent payment

Are Youth Ever Asked to Leave Program?

YES- primary reason is for repeated tenancy violations and the landlord issues notice

Depending on circumstances, we may relocate youth

If we don’t relocate, we will work out a plan for youth to re-enter program after they demonstrate some changes

Overall involuntary exit rate is less than 10% (compared to 45% among similar providers)