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

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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