legal protections for chicago’s homeless · 2020. 5. 24. · of the chicago coalition for the...
TRANSCRIPT
Legal Protections for Chicago’s
Homeless
PILI Educational Seminar
The Law Project of the
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) manages the only legal
aid project in Illinois that is dedicated to serving people who are
homeless or at risk of homelessness.
•We provide free civil legal services to help people secure access to schools,
shelter or housing, jobs or services.
•Our four attorneys, including an Equal Justice Works Fellow and legal assistant,
provide free legal assistance to homeless people and those at risk of
homelessness, concentrating primarily on issues related to the education of
homeless children and youth, or the legal needs of unaccompanied youth.
•The Law Project provides legal services to homeless and unaccompanied youth
through its Youth Futures mobile legal aid clinic at various outreach sites
•In fiscal year 2013, 97% of our 289 clients were homeless students or youth.
of that 116,042 (or 10,719) are Unaccompanied Homeless Youth(ages 14-24)
Homelessness in Chicago
A 2013 analysis by CCH shows
116,042 Chicagoans
experienced homelessness during
the course of the 2012-2013 school year.
9.2%
“Unaccompanied Youth” = youth experiencing
homelessness without a parent or guardian
Homelessness in Illinois and Chicago
• In Illinois:
homeless
students enrolled during
the 2012-13 school year
(as of 6/15/13)
increase from
2008-09
• In Chicago:
- As of May 2014, there were identified homeless
students in CPS
increase between 2003 and 2013
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth in CPS (May
2014)
Homeless Youth
A 2005 study found approximately 25,000 unaccompanied
homeless youth in Illinois. University of Illinois Chicago/CCH Study, 2005
Approximately 550 beds statewide.
Approximately
550,000
youth in the US experience homelessness each year.
380,000 are under
18 years old
Approximately
20% identify as LGBTQ
Only
50,000 receive services
(90% service gap) National Alliance to
End Homelessness
Educational Rights of Students
Experiencing Homelessness • Governed by the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC §11434) and the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act (105 ILCS 45/1-1)
• “Homeless” – students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including:
– Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason
– Living in emergency or transitional shelters
– Living in hotels, motels, trailer parks or camping grounds
– Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
– Living in a primary residence not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
– Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care placement
– Migratory children in the above circumstances
• “Unaccompanied”: a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Educational Rights of Students
Experiencing Homelessness
• Immediate Enrollment
• Choice of School (at least 3 choices)
• Transportation
• Free School Meals
• School Fee Waivers
• Referrals for Community Resources
• Removal of Barriers
Civil Rights
• Homeless Bill of Rights
– New Law in Illinois- enacted August 2013
• Cook County Human Rights Ordinance
• Fair Housing Laws
• Zoning Restrictions/Special Use Permits
Challenges Facing Homeless Youth
Legal barriers to accessing services/housing for minors
Fear of DCFS/police involvement
Challenges for LGBTQ Youth • Higher rates of physical/sexual
assault
• Higher rates of mental health issues
• Twice as likely to attempt suicide
Lack of age appropriate services
Safety/sensitivity in the adult shelter system
Homeless services delivery
system designed for
adults/families • Different help seeking behaviors
• Different needs
Legal Issues
• Education
• Criminal
– Police Harassment
– Sealing/Expunging
Records
– Tickets/Fines
• Employment
• Health Care
• Access to Public Benefits
• Sex/Labor Trafficking
• Family Law
• Immigration
• Domestic Violence
• LGBTQ Issues
• Discrimination
• Access to Identification
Documents
• Housing Issues
• Consumer/Credit/Tax
Issues
Health Care and Medical Rights
• Obtaining Health
Insurance
– Medicaid
– ACA Marketplace
– Employer
– Parents
• Access to Care
– Managed Care in IL
– Heath Care Services
– Illinois Redetermination
Project
– Consent to Health Care
• Medical Records
• Medical Debt/Charity
Care Program
• Disability Issues
• Other Health Issues
– Access to birth control
– Abortion
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Consenting to Treatment
• Commitment (voluntary and
involuntary)
– Minors
– Adults
• Outpatient Treatment
• Services Covered Under the ACA
How to Get Involved
• CCH Associate Board
• Events
– Hopefest Saturday June 21st
– Scholarship Event June 26th
• Internships
• Pro Bono Opportunities
Emails
• Patricia Nix-Hodes
• Beth Cunningham
• Graham Bowman