Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Committee Meeting
September 13, 2017
In attendance: Rosemary Fiedler, Thrive HCC, Sohanda Failla, CHD, Lisa Goldsmith (by phone), DIAL/SELF, Natalie Hill, Gandara SHINE, Sarah Hills, Eliot CHS-Homeless Services, Natalie Kyles, Gandara SHINE, Ann Lentini, Domus, Inc. , Cindy Maddison, HCC, Gerry McCafferty, City of Springfield, Emily Nolan (by phone), HUD TA, Jean Rogers, CHD, Pamela Schwartz, Network, Marie Thoppe, HCC Transition to College
A framework for our efforts right now:
Gerry McCafferty, as liaison of the Hampden County CoC, provided a backdrop for our planning effort. The initial impetus for this planning was a HUD youth services grant – a first application was submitted last year and while the CoC scored well, it was just shy of getting selected; and now the promise of a second round of HUD funding for which the CoC will apply (the RFP is not out yet).
The goal, however, is larger than the submission of any one application. It is to take an in-depth look at our current youth services homelessness system, determine what is working and what isn’t, what, where and how we need to invest to close the gaps and what it would cost and how best to allocate any funds.
We can learn from other efforts in other cities and states. Gerry provided us a copy of Washington, DC’s 5 year plan to end youth homelessness. It offers an explicit breakdown of the contrast in outcomes from the “same old approach” to “after Year One” (see p. 3).
We need to answer the questions: What do we know? What are we missing? How do we do the necessary outreach to ensure complete information? How do we determine what is needed?
Gerry will map out the various “buckets” of information needed to help us determine next steps. The buckets will include:
- Data – what do you know?
- Environmental scan – who is out there intersecting with this population?
- Coordinated entry system: what is the current system of assessment/service; how do we integrate it into the overall coordinated entry system?
- Promising models – what do we want to learn from?
- Strategies and outcomes
Youth involvement
The group welcomed two HCC students to the committee. Cindy offered the perspective that one of the biggest challenges for young people is time! The time it takes to access services, transportation, public benefits. The barriers are daunting.
The group agreed that we needed to hear more from youth and Cindy helped us frame a gathering in terms of “what could have made it easier for you” when faced with housing instability, a request for information as opposed to personal experiences (that they may not be inclined to share).
We agreed on the following:
Thursday, October 26
4:30-6:30
include pizza, gift cards (if available) and child care
Possible title:
Your Voice,
Your Housing Needs
Rosemary will see if HCC has space and whether offering child care is permissible.
Pamela will send out draft text and Natalie will do a draft flyer.
Gerry will reach out to MHSA to learn more about their youth led training (for adult providers and youth) and see if they can do a training here.
Gerry will produce an initial document around the “buckets” of work to be done for discussion at our next meeting.
Next meeting date:
Wed., October 11
4:00 – 5:30 pm
HCC – Frost Building Bartlett Room (across from Frost Building 309, Board Room)
