state government: addressing youth homelessness
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State Government: Addressing Youth
Homelessness
Tracy D’AlannoColorado Department of Human ServicesSupportive Housing and Homeless Programs
tracy.DAlanno@state.co.us
303-866-7361
History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services
Pressure by homeless youth advocates resulted in the passage of The Colorado Homeless Youth Services Act of 2002 (HB 02-1159)
Legislative Intent: To create a vehicle through which services to homeless youth statewide could be improved by coordinating current services and facilitating interagency collaboration to identify gaps, remove barriers, improve access and share information.
History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services
Office originally housed under the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment with proposed funding form U.S. Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.
Budget cuts resulted in lack of anticipated funding and the office was in operation for just one year with a .5 position.
History & LegislationOffice of Homeless Youth Services
In 2004, HB 04-1107 transferred the Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS) to the Colorado Dept. of Human Services with one full time position.
Copy of Legislation
Main Objectives Office of Homeless Youth Services
Identification and removal of obstacles to the provision of services to homeless youth;
Improved quality of services provided to homeless youth;
Reduction of duplication in the provision of services to homeless youth;
Identification of funding resources available to serve homeless youth.
Identification of Key Stakeholders Building relationships across disciplines and
providers Non-profit providers Faith based agencies Alternative High
Schools Federal Admin. For
Children and Families Dept. of Education Dept. of Public Health
and Environment Labor and Employment Key Youth Initiatives
Public Safety Judicial Child Welfare Youth Corrections Div. Alcohol and
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Denver Workforce
Development Denver Police County Human Services
SuccessFamily Unification Program
100 Transitional Section 8 Vouchers Six providers Pilot with Child Welfare and SHHP Focus on homeless youth involved in foster
careF U P P ilo t S tru c tu re
U rb a n P e akD e n ver
U rb a n P e akC o lo ra doS p rin gs
F a m ilyT re e
V o lu n te e rso f
A m e rica
D e n verC o u n ty
D H S
L a rim erC o u n ty
D H S
C D H S /C h ild W e lfa reC h a fee D isc re tion a ry F u n ds
S H H P /S u pp o rtive H o u s ing a nd H om e less P ro g ramF U P V ou ch e rs
SuccessDevelopment of a Planning Structure
Advisory Committee on Homeless Youth– Administration for Children and Families (ACF)– Eight State Agencies– Nine Counties– Two Public Schools– Eight Community Providers
Three Work Groups– Data Collection– Mainstream Benefits Acquisition – Employment
Coordination with State Interagency Council on Homelessness
Other Successes New Homeless Youth Shelter in Grand
Junction Improved focus and emphasis on data
collection in state and local homeless point in time surveys
Mental Health Services – facilitated the expansion of free mental health services to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered youth
Identifying Needs and Gaps in Service Delivery
1. Strategic Planning and Data2. Emergency Shelter and Crisis Services3. Discharge Planning – Child Welfare and
Youth Corrections4. Outreach5. Mainstream Benefit Acquisition6. Transitional and Permanent Housing7. Education8. Income9. Youth Development Opportunities
Challenges Turf Issues Difficult Population Gaining commitment from government
officials Staff Turnover Lack of state resources Multi-issued problem
Next Steps
Advisory Committee Retreat– Developing a Strategic Plan, including
policy recommendations to facilitate the reduction or removal of gaps and barriers.
Improved data collection – HMIS and Statewide Homeless Survey
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