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Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

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Page 1: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhDAssistant Professor of Social Work

St. Ambrose University

Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Page 2: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Project PartnersScott County Housing CouncilCommunity Foundation of the Great River

BendCatholic CharitiesSt. Ambrose University MSW Students

(Roberta Gates and Melissa Housinga)

Page 3: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

ParticipantsAt risk youth ages 14-1912 social service agencies in the QC area16 focus groupsMean age 17.517% identified as LGBT62% currently enrolled in school28% history of foster care53% history of involvement with juvenile

courts

Page 4: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Youth Homelessness53% of youth reported being homeless at least

one night in their lifetimeOf those who have experienced homelessness

60% reported being homeless for less than 3 months.

Of those who have experienced homelessness 14% reported experiencing homelessness more than 5 times in their lives

The average age of first homeless experience was 15.51

22.1% of youth reported that it had been more than 4 months since they last had stable housing

Page 5: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Homelessness and Education67% of all youth surveyed reported current

school enrollment.49% of youth who reported experiencing

homelessness at some point were currently enrolled.

As school attendance decreases rates of homelessness increase (p=.02)

Participants who reported experience of homelessness were nearly twice as likely to have been placed in an alternative school setting (Odds Ratio=1.8)

Page 6: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Sexual Orientation and HomelessnessLGBT youth were significantly more likely

to have experienced at least one night of homelessness (odds ratio=2.3)

LGBT youth were significantly more likely to have relied on a friend, relative, or stranger for residence (odds ratio=3.3)

Page 7: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Rankings of Greatest Challenges1. Family Problems2. Mental Illness (Depression and Anxiety)3. Transportation4. Avoiding Violence5. Finding a Safe Place to Sleep

Page 8: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Qualitative ThemesFamily ProblemsAbuse and NeglectHomelessnessThe Perfect Program

Page 9: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Family ProblemsLack of acceptance

“ My mom just couldn’t take who I had become and we both agreed that we just couldn’t live together.”

Poor communication with parents Lack of availability of parents

Youth assuming the parental role for younger siblings Youth being parented by older siblings

“For as long as I can remember I have been more of a parent to my little sister than my mom ever was.”

Page 10: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

Abuse and NeglectMany youth suggested that abuse and neglect

were major factors in leaving home

“My parents verbally abused me until I couldn’t take it anymore and I moved into the shelter.”

“My dad got so mad at me that he would grab me by my throat. One time he completely choked me out until I could barely breath.”

Page 11: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

HomelessnessAssistance in finding stable housing was

consistently cited as a barrier.

“I’ve been homeless many times. I’ve called many different places and most times never got a call back to help me find a place to stay.”

Defining Homelessness

“I wouldn’t say that I’ve been homeless but I was on the run for like a year… staying with friends and friends of friends.”

Page 12: Adam McCormick, MSSW, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work St. Ambrose University Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment

The Perfect ProgramAcceptance“It has to be a place where you take me as

I am. Just let me be.”“You don’t want to stay in a place that is

so uptight or judged that you can’t feel comfortable.”

Safety“A program has to offer protection… We

have to know that we’re always going to be safe.”

Someone to Talk To