University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Youth homelessness policy change

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Youth homelessness policy change

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Content YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 1
Youth Homeless Policy Change

By Romunda Valentine

SOWK 722: Assignment 3:
Capstone Project Paper, Final Prototype
Dr. Jennifer Lewis

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Social Work
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
University of Southern California
10/27/21
December 2021
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to first start out by thanking my family for walking this journey with me for two
years. They have listened to my shouts of joy and my cries when I felt like I could not go on and
finish. Their motivation and mantra “You are not a quitter, and you got this” rang through me
every step of the way.
To my mother for always being my listening ear most nights and on days when I didn’t
feel like talking, for sending a simple text letting me know that she is always there. To my father
for rooting me on at the end of every semester and counting down the days with me. To my
brother for always making me feel like I’m the smartest person (even when I simply want to stop
learning and turn my brain off for the day and veg out).
To my son, my Number One fan, and the one who has made the most sacrifice during
these two years (he has become well-versed in DoorDash). He has never complained and always
came upstairs when I was plugging away. These silent check-ins spoke volumes.
To my friends who have rallied behind me. Small tokens of encouragement, food, wine,
have been heaven-sent and being able to vent frustrations to my social worker friends, who know
exactly what I’m talking about was a blessing.
To my new friends I have met along the way (not many since my introverted self simply
can’t branch out too much) in this program who have literally walked in my shoes, you will
always have a special place in my heart. We are true warriors, and we will make this world a
better with our wisdom and determination to change a sometimes-broken system.
Finally, to my professors in this DSW program. Some of you have been the absolute
best. Your passion for teaching shines through, and I’m a better person for it. One of the things
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 3

I have learned is You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know and some of you have helped me to
learn something new that helped me grow as a person and student. This has been a brutal
journey, but I’m proud to say I did it!

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary 5
Conceptual Framework (includes): 12-18
Clear statement of problem
Research
Social significance
Important and Relevant Concepts Defined 18-20
Theory of Change/Logic model 21-22

Problems of Practice and Solutions/Innovations (includes): 23-27
Explanation of design/improvement
Innovation/opportunities
Feedback from Multiple Stakeholders
Connection to logic model
Likelihood of success

Project Structure, Methodology and Action Components (includes): 28-33
Prototype
Analysis of market/obstacles
Communication
Ethical
Summary
EPIS framework 33-37
Financial 37-41
Measurement 41-43

Conclusion, Actions & Implications (includes): 43-45
Summary/future action
Risks
Prototype ready/Next step

References 46-49
Appendix A: TAY VI-SPDAT 50-60
Appendix B: Y-SPDAT 61-83
Appendix C: BUDGET 84
Appendix D: ANSELL-CASEY ASSESSMENT 85-93

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Chronic homelessness is both a national and an international issue that needs to be
addressed (Edidin et al., 2012). Cataclysmic events in the 1980s caused the worst worldwide
recession since the Great Depression: the economic attrition of the inner city, substandard care
for the mentally ill, high unemployment, a lack of affordable housing, and severe budget cuts
within the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (Jones, 2015). Tragically,
we still see the victims of this economic downturn living on our streets and in the shelters of our
cities.
Today, every geographical region in the US experiences homelessness to some degree. A
recent study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness reported California (151,278) and
New York (92,091) as having the highest homeless counts, while Wyoming (548) and North
Dakota (557) have the lowest (2020). In HUD’s 2020 Point-In-Time (PIT) count, youth under 18
make up 18% (106,364) of the 580,466 individuals per night counted as homeless—HUD
counted 5,625 homeless individuals in Indiana on a single night (2021). There are a reported
1,588 homeless individuals in the city of Indianapolis alone. Of these, 13% (206) are under 18
(Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention, 2021).
Juveniles processed through child welfare programs or the juvenile justice departments
have shown a 57% greater chance of homelessness compared to those not involved in either
system (Narendorf et al., 2020). Although there are many causes of juvenile homelessness, over
90% of those surveyed have cited family conflict (including abuse and neglect) as the primary
cause (Youthcare, 2020). Other factors include financial issues within the family/poverty, racial
disparities, sexual orientation, mental health/substance abuse, and involvement in the juvenile
justice or child welfare systems (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). To address the
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 6

specific challenges of this group, agencies have created many national programs focusing on
juvenile homelessness.
Basic Center Program (BCP)
1974’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) authorized the BCP, which is supported
by the Family and Youth Service Bureau (FYSB) within the Administration for Children and
Families (ACF). BCP establishes and supports community-based programs that provide for the
immediate needs of runaway and homeless youths between the ages 13 and 18: up to 21 days of
shelter, food, clothing, and medical care; individual, group, and family counseling; crisis
intervention, recreation, and aftercare programs. BCP focuses on reuniting young people with
their families, if possible, or locating appropriate alternative placements (Youth.gov, 2021).
Transitional Living Program (TLP)
RHYA authorizes the TLP and is supported by the Family and Youth Services Bureau within
the ACF. TLP provides long-term residential services to homeless youth between the ages of 16
and 22. This program also provides living arrangements with host families, group homes,
maternity group homes, and program-supervised apartments (Youth.gov, 2021).
Street Outreach Program (SOP)
The Family and Youth Services Bureau also facilitates the Street Outreach Program, which
assists homeless, runaway, and street juveniles in finding stable housing and support services.
SOP focuses on developing relationships between outreach workers and young people to rebuild
connections with caring adults, with the larger goal of preventing the sexual exploitation and
abuse of homeless youth. To this end, the SOP provides juveniles with street-based education
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 7

and outreach, access to emergency shelter, survival aid, treatment and counseling, crisis
intervention, and follow-up support (Youth.gov, 2021).
Partnership with the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP)
Teens between the ages of 16 and 17 face a unique challenge: they cannot access the
resources available to prevent homelessness without parental consent or being involved in the
child welfare system. This bureaucratic limbo perpetuates the state of homelessness.
To reduce the number of unaccompanied youths, a proposed partnership with the
Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) to examine and amend current
policies and allow 16 and 17-year-olds access to homeless services without the required parental
consent or the need to be involved with child welfare has been developed. By accessing these
services/resources independently at the onset of need, this vulnerable group would be far less
likely to transition into adult homelessness.
Such a policy change would have far-reaching benefits. By offering resources early
(versus waiting until they turn 18), the assessment and initiation of homeless services for
unaccompanied youth can begin when most effective. Early assistance would greatly increase
positive health and social outcomes for these at-risk teens. This design bypasses bureaucratic
hurdles, allowing streamlined institutional support (independent of family) and preventing
criminal activity and/or future involvement in the juvenile or adult justice systems. The current
system prohibits 16 and 17-year-olds from obtaining services without parental consent or without
getting the Department of Child Services (DCS) involved. This mandated reporting to DCS
restricts independent assessment and possible placement in housing programs.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 8

Unfortunately (but understandably), early negative experiences with child welfare
agencies often dissuades homeless youths from seeking support, placing them in a precarious
situation. Youths interviewed at an outreach program discussed this struggle. They found
themselves on the streets forgoing assistance to avoid involvement in the “system.” This
apprehension, coupled with current policy restrictions, distanced them from much-needed
services until they turned 18 as testimony from an 18-year-old male, “I ran away when I was 15
because I was tired of being abused by my stepfather and my mother not doing anything to
protect me. The first time I was picked up, they took me to juvenile because my mother called me
in as a runaway. I was already in therapy, but the therapist never listened to me about not
feeling safe at home and just wanted to find ways to communicate better. How can I
communicate with someone that doesn’t listen to me? I ran again at 16 multiple times and did
things to survive. I was scared to ask for help because I knew they would call the cops and send
me back home or I would stay in juvenile. I learned about Outreach when I was 17 and I have
been coming here for a year to eat, shower, change clothes, and stuff like that. They told me they
could help me, but I couldn’t go back home, so I didn’t accept any help besides coming to the
outreach center. I have stayed on the street, with friends, in buildings, etc. Now that I am 18,
I’m on the waiting list for housing” (Personal communication, 2020).
If allowed to access permanent homeless services, personnel may assess the young adult
and place them in the appropriate housing program or waiting list, based on the individual’s need
when challenges arise. These housing programs are youth-specific and represent only a fraction
of the assistance available. Assistance programs can also provide referrals for other services
(emergency/temporary shelter, medical needs, mental health/substance abuse treatment, access to
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 9

basic needs, etc.). Once given secure housing and support services, along with employment or
educational opportunities, this group would be far less likely to engage in criminal activity.
No matter how careful the coordination of these efforts may be, parental consent still
hinders support service for many 16 and 17-year-olds. Troubled relationships with parents or
guardians can raise daunting barriers for emotional growth and maturity. The goal of any agency
is helping the individual make good choices, with the caring and effective guidance of a support
team and establishing positive precedence and a heightened sense of self-worth.
Policy changes, especially those involving juveniles, can be challenging. The proposed
amendments would require the efforts of many professionals; not only those who have worked
with youth/young adults, but others not directly in the social service field (such as attorneys,
politicians, lobbyists, etc.). Working together, these agencies can: learn how federal and state
child welfare laws intersect; utilize the expertise of legislators and lobbyists; form committees to
include youth/young adults as well as providers; and define measurable goals from beginning to
end, with surveys and other avenues of feedback (foster care providers, DCS
workers/administrators, current youth/young adult homeless programs, etc.). Additionally,
agencies must conduct in-depth policy analysis to allow adaptation or adjustment. Once drafted,
we must learn and adhere to the appropriate channels and processes for introducing a law/policy.
We wouldn’t want such beneficial legislation rejected for want of a stamp.
A Holistic Approach to Homelessness
This policy change design will help to improve the physical, mental, and emotional
health of youth. It provides continued support (not received from family) and prevents adding to
the already-strained juvenile judicial system. This solution breaks the cycle of homelessness by
identifying problems, forming a successful support strategy, generating collaboration and
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 10

cooperation between agencies, and forming the beneficial partnerships to implement an effective
policy, now and in the future.
Consider general systems theory as applied to homelessness. Systems theory aids many
disciplines in understanding and optimizing strategies with a focus on the complete system, and
how individual parts interact and affect that system (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2017). As applied to homelessness, systems theory addresses transparency, interdepartmental
and interdisciplinary collaboration, funding, housing, mental health/substance abuse treatment,
and organizational partnerships. All components can affect better outcomes (Stroh & Goodman,
2007). As such, this holistic policy will allow for the “whole” of the youth to receive the help
needed for all aspects of self, on a systematic level.
This policy will change the dogmatic belief that anyone under 18 must be involved with
the child welfare system. Changing this flawed attitude will give those who do not want to be
involved with the child welfare system access to effective homeless services when most
beneficial, versus remaining homeless and struggling to survive until adulthood. Homeless
young adults (18-24) agreed this had been their reality: trying to survive until long-term help was
available, as described by an 18-year-old female:

“I was put out of my house because I got pregnant at 16 and had my baby
at 17. My mom has 6 kids and I’m the oldest, so I know how to raise a child, but
she said she was not taking care of another baby. I have worked since I was 15,
so I could take care of myself and my baby, I just needed a place to live. When I
was kicked out, DCS sent me to group home for girls with babies. I didn’t like it
there, so I moved in with my aunt when my baby was born, but all she wanted me
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 11

to do was give her my money. I didn’t have a choice because I needed a place to
stay, and I couldn’t sign a lease and I couldn’t do any programs until I turned 18.
I’m now living in a transitional living apartment” (Personal communication,
2020).
Most stakeholders working with this at-risk population strongly support this policy
change, but the Department of Child Services does not. DCS insists the services they offer
effectively aid in eliminating homelessness. With or without their support, if this policy change
is approved, DCS will see reaching more homeless youth benefits everyone. By providing teens
with access to these services independent of the impersonal “system” (as perceived), we can
reduce the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) count for unaccompanied minors. Antiquated attitudes
and/or strategies are mired in black-and-white thinking. This must change. It should not matter
how youth access services; they just need to be readily available, red tape aside.
Homeless youth/young adults, existing homeless programs, social workers, case
managers, shelters, and the Department of Child Services are the opinion leaders that will
spearhead this policy change. While public funding and lobbyists/legislation are necessary
catalysts in amending or introducing any legislation, the external stakeholders will bear the most
responsibility. These agencies must locate a sponsoring legislator, draft an effective policy that
meets any bureaucratic requirements, and introduce the policy in committee. A daunting process.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 12

EVALUATION AND ADAPTATION
One way to evaluate effectiveness of the policy implementation is through the RE-AIM
Framework (another possible framework for effectiveness will be discussed later). This
framework will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy. This starts with identifying
how to Reach eligible 16-17-year old’s needing services. It then determines the Effectiveness
these initial services might be for this population, then Adopts clear methods for policy creation
(such as surveys and other forms of feedback from various professional entities: foster care
providers, DCS workers/administrators, current youth/young adult homeless programs, etc.).
The framework then Implements methods to make the proposal public using legislators and
lobbyists. Finally, it Maintains the effectiveness of the policy’s long-term use; for example, by
monitoring the progressive reduction in the number of unaccompanied minors during the annual
Point-In-Time count.
An organized committee of diverse individuals (including people of color and the
LGBTQ+ population, etc.) would be formed to address diversity and inclusiveness, regarding the
effectiveness of services to include all. This increases the policy’s efficacy by reflecting the
diversity not only among the stakeholders, but among the larger community as well.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Youth under 18 made up 18% (106,364) of the annual 2020 Point-In-Time (PIT) count of
580,466 homeless individuals on a single night, with 5,625 homeless individuals in the state of
Indiana (US Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2021). In metropolitan
Indianapolis, there were a reported 1,588 homeless individuals, of which 13% (~206), are under
18 in the 2020 PIT count (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention, 2021).
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 13

While a variety of factors lead to homelessness, mental health and public funding systems
play two of the most vital roles. Systems theory identifies patterns of individual behavior as it
connects to the larger complex system (Science Direct, 1998). In other words, the whole is
greater than the sum of its parts.
We’ll examine how individual components of homelessness interact with the mental
health and public funding systems. To understand a system, one must understand the individual
parts that comprise that system. When one component is broken, the system will run poorly or
not at all. Recognizing this, professionals need to explore and apply: the development of
independent living skills, mental health/substance abuse therapy, stable/long-term housing,
interagency and interpersonal collaboration/partnerships, the establishment of a support system,
education, employment, and funding as a conceptual framework in ending youth/young adult
homelessness.
Mental Health Systems
Mental health is one of those systems. Researchers estimate 50% of mental illnesses
manifest by age 14, and 75% by the age of 24 (National Alliance on Mental Illness). An early
focus on mental illness in these age groups could decrease the number of homeless youth/young
adults. The frequency of mental health issues with youth/young adults (such as mood disorders
and suicidal ideation) are rising. The most obvious culprit is the decreased interpersonal contact
of social media, now readily accessible through multiple digital platforms—YouTube, TikTok,
Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and others (Rosenberg, 2019).
The severity of mental health disorders ranges widely from person to person. Under ideal
circumstances, in which a client receives consistent and effective mental health treatment (e.g.,
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professional counseling and/or medication management), symptoms can be managed, and
!normal” life can continue. However, for the homeless population, this effective mental health
treatment is often not available, accessible, OR consistent. This places a heavy burden on an
already-overburdened demographic (Rosenberg, 2019)..
Youth/young adult homelessness stems from a variety of factors including
physical/sexual/emotional abuse at home, familial conflict, economic problems, substance abuse,
or simply “aging out” of foster care (Watson, 2013). This group also runs a much higher risk of
developing mental health and/or substance abuse issues. In fact, about 5,000 homeless
youth/young adults die each year from suicide, assault, and illness (Watson, 2013). The National
Health Care for the Homeless Council cited a recent study which reported 40% of homeless
youth/young adults suffer from depression; this is 12% higher than youth/young adults living at
home. Homeless youth/young adults are also three times more likely to attempt/commit suicide
(2018). These startling figures illustrate the importance of effective mental health treatment
critical for homeless youth/young adults.
Addressing mental health disparities for this vulnerable population is essential in
reducing homelessness. Youth/young adult homelessness has received a lot of attention due to
its fast growth and poor mental health outcomes (Nyamathi et al, 2012). The transition from
adolescence to adulthood is tough on its own. Adding untreated mental health issues to this
process only compounds the stressors of life. Mental health, substance abuse, and supportive
networks are other factors that impact youth/young adults’ coping skills (Nyamathi et al,
2012). Identifying (or creating) a supportive social network helps youth/young adults to cope
with challenges (Nyamathi, et al, 2012). Some employers report deficiencies in the child welfare
system itself: young adults emerge from this system lacking independent living skills or housing
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 15

itself (National Association of Homebuilders, 2005). Compared to the average population, the
400,000 youth/young adults in foster care are at a higher risk for mental health issues,
unemployment, and academic struggles (Roller White et al, 2011).
A 2011 study in the Journal of Public Child Welfare identifies other factors (besides
mental health treatment) that could reduce/eliminate youth/young adults’ homelessness:
• The development of independent living skills

• Establishing a solid transition plan

• Securing employment

• Learning how to successfully manage personal finances

• Arranging transitional housing

FUNDING SYSTEMS
Public funding programs to aid homeless youth/young adults is an equally essential
system; program and resource funding is a practical necessity. Currently, social workers use
three programs to aid homeless youth/young adults:
" Basic Center Program (BCP): a community-based program that provides crisis
intervention, temporary shelter, counseling, family reunification (only if possible), and
after-care programming
" Transitional Living Program (TLP): services that offer long-term housing, counseling,
basic life/independent living skills, educational programs, and job readiness skills
" Street Outreach Program (SOP): an initiative providing education and referrals for
youth/young adults directly on the street (Congressional Research Service, 2019)
Funding for these programs is crucial in helping reduce/eradicate homelessness for
youth/young adults. Public assistance alone does not appear to be enough. Even with the $127.4
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 16

million dollars given for BCP and TLP (and $25 million dollars for SOP) for fiscal years 2019
and 2020, the number of homeless youth/young adults remains high (Congressional Research
Service, 2019).
Contributing to this is our relatively uncoordinated system currently dealing with the high
number of homeless youth/young adults as it relates to the complicated requirements for funding
eligibility (National Network for Youth, 2017). Some programs have requirements that
youth/young adults may not meet, thus keeping them without stable housing. One such program,
according to HUD (2017) is the Family Unification Program (FUP). This is a program under
which Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) are provided to families who lack adequate housing as
their primary need; and/or youth at least 18 years old and no older than 24 years old who left
foster care at 16 or older and/or will leave foster care within 90 days, are currently homeless or at
risk of homelessness. FUP vouchers used by youth are limited to 36 months and are used to
lease decent, safe, and sanitary housing (HUD, 2017). The restrictiveness of having been in
foster care isolates other youth experiencing homelessness.
To remedy this, we need a systems-based approach with agencies to collaborate efforts
and be more inclusive, creating a system that will more effectively combat youth/young adult
homelessness. With a key focus on the budget, alongside mental health issues, the plight to end
homelessness could be reduced. With a focus on these 2 large systems, key solutions to this
problem can be implemented. Homelessness is a worldwide problem, yet many industrialized
nations recognize its victims. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-
being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 17

care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of
unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of
livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Simply put, housing is a basic human right, yet many individuals still lack this basic right
(Fowler; et al, 2019). In a survey by the United States Conference of Mayors (2008), 20% of
city leaders cited a need for better provider coordination to assist homeless individuals (National
Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). Homelessness needs to be addressed as a complete system or
we face a no-win scenario: one cannot secure long-term housing with untreated mental illness
and one cannot have treated mental illness with no form of stable housing.
We can reduce or even eliminate homelessness only if we recognize the components of
this system, which encompasses!#the whole” of a youth/young adult: the development of
independent living skills, mental health/substance abuse therapy, stable/long-term housing,
collaboration/partnerships, establishing a support system, education, employment, and funding, a
decrease/elimination of youth/young adult homelessness. This proposed policy change, rooted in
a systematic approach, would offer effective, long-term homeless services to 16 and 17-year
old’s.
In addition to the conceptual framework of encompassing all the needs of the youth in
addressing homelessness through a systemic approach, a harm reduction framework will be
utilized as well. This trauma-informed, harm reduction framework helps providers dealing with
individuals struggling with homelessness and substance use (National Harm Reduction
Coalition). This framework utilizes strategies, safe techniques, abstinence from drugs,
understanding the inequities of poverty, and meeting people where they are while helping them
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 18

move forward which is rooted in the Stages of Change model of: Precontemplation,
Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance (National Harm Reduction Coalition).
Having this framework will help to mitigate harm these teens experiencing homelessness
may encounter. Due to the nature of their age and limited “life experiences”, this framework will
help others who are guiding and helping them along their journey of ending homelessness.
While they have experienced life challenges/trauma that played a huge role in their homeless
statues, using a structured curriculum that will teach and guide them, is vital.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 19

DEFINITIONS
• Throwaway youth: Youth who have been asked, told, or forced to leave home by
parents/caregivers with no alternate placement (Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-
topics/runaway-and-homeless-youth/federal-definitions).
• Runaway youth: Youth who have left home without parental/caregiver permission and
stay away for one or more nights. A runaway episode is defined as being away from
home overnight for youth under 14 (or older and mentally incompetent) and for two or
more nights for youth 15 and older (Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-
topics/runaway-and-homeless-youth/federal-definitions).
• Street youth: Youth who have spent time living on the streets without a parent/caregiver
(Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/runaway-and-homeless-youth/federal-
definitions).
• Systems youth: Youth who become homeless after aging out of foster care or leaving the
juvenile justice system (Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/runaway-and-
homeless-youth/federal-definitions).
• Chronic homelessness: Individuals in need of long-term shelter versus emergency
placement. They are usually older with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges
(Retrieved from nationalhomeless.org/about-homelessness/).
• Transitionally homelessness: Individuals in need of shelter once or for short periods of
time. They are usually younger and are homeless due to a major event enter the shelter
system for only one stay and for a short period (Retrieved from
nationalhomeless.org/about-homelessness/).
• Episodic homelessness: Individuals who are in and out of shelter care. They struggle
with employment along with mental health/substance use issues (Retrieved from
nationalhomeless.org/about-homelessness/).
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 20

• Youth: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) defines homeless youth as
individuals who are “not more than 21 years of age…for whom it is not possible to live in
a safe environment with a relative and who have no other safe alternative living
arrangement.” This definition includes only those youth who are unaccompanied by
families or caregivers (Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/runaway-and-
homeless-youth/federal-definitions).
• Child welfare: Legally, the child welfare system is a substitute guardian of children in
foster care or other out of home placements (Retrieved from jlc.org/introduction-child-
welfare-system).
• Emancipation: Release of a child from parent/guardian legal responsibility (Retrieved
from https://www.in.gov/dcs/policies/administrative-policies/common-terms/).
• Policy: Public policy is a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and
funding priorities concerning a given topic by a governmental entity or its representatives
(Retrieved from https://mainweb-v.musc.edu/vawprevention/policy/definition.shtml).
• Risk Reduction: The tools and services to reduce potential harm of an individual
(Retrieved from https://harmreduction.org/issues/harm-reduction-basics/homelessness-
harm-reduction-facts/).
• Harm Reduction: The approach and fundamentals to reduce potential harm of an
individual (Retrieved from https://harmreduction.org/issues/harm-reduction-
basics/homelessness-harm-reduction-facts/).
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 21

INPUTS OR
RESOURCES
ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT-TERM
OUTCOMES
INTERMEDIATE
OUTCOMES
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
1. Partner with
service
providers,
attorneys,
lobbyists, and
public officials
to focus on
federal and
state child
welfare policy.
Form a
committee that
includes
youth/young
adults as well
as providers

2. Set
steps/goals/time
lines

3. Gather
feedback from
a broad range
of
stakeholders/In-
person
lobbying/advoc
acy

4. Policy
analysis
(writing/changi
ng)…ensuring a
succinct and
clear policy is
written

5. Research the
appropriate
channels for
submitting a
law/policy and
start the
conversation
for submission

6. Submit
law/policy

1. Make connections
with current providers
working with
youth/young adult
homelessness

2. Work with social
workers/case
managers/providers in
identifying what
specifically youth in
Indiana need

3. Survey sent to current
providers working with
homeless youth and
young adults/connection
with lobbyist
4. Identify the language
of the policy

5. Connect with lobbyist

6. Submission of
proposed policy

1. Partnership
development

2. 5-10-member
committee
members to help
align the new
policy

3. Data collection

4. Discuss the
“why” of the
policy change

5. Conduct
meetings

6. Submission

Increase awareness on the
benefits of services for 16-
17-year old’s

Emancipation with the
ability to secure housing
and employment

Improved connections and
available resources for 16-
17-year old’s in need of
homeless services

Positive social and
emotional well-being
leading to long-term better
health and social-
emotional needs being met

Ability to provide a sense
of safety by securing
stable housing
Reduction in crime with
youth being able to
appropriately make
independent decisions for
themselves by working a
legal job

Potential partners with
policymakers to help get
the policy changed

Shift in the norms
regarding views of youth
making decisions for
themselves without
parental consent

Less minors on the
streets without resources
and support showing a
reduction in criminal
activity by 50%

Program participation
with data collection
showing how the change
in policy has improved
the homeless count and
access to available
programs

New policy created

Reduction in the homeless
annual Point in Time (PIT)
count for minors by a decrease
in the amount of homeless youth
on the street

Improved social, health, and
economic well-being by data
collection by pre/post use of
social intelligence tests and
emotional intelligence
questionnaires

Successful mental
health/substance abuse
treatment with feedback on
successful completion of
programs

Metrics on job attainment and
the ability to maintain
employment and independence
for a year

Evaluation and monitoring of
effectiveness of policy by yearly
tracking of housing and
employment
sustainability…self-sufficiency
metrics (how to access
transportation, identification of
support system
(formal/informal), healthcare,
budgeting, etc.)

Reduction in criminal activity as
data from juvenile justice or
police department data by 50%

Policy enactment beyond the
state of Indiana to reach
multiple states

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 22

PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE AND SOLUTION(S)/INNOVATION(S)
Our best solution lies in partnering with the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and
Prevention (CHIP) on policy changes to end youth/young adult homelessness by allowing
distressed 16 and 17-year-olds access to permanent homeless services without parental consent
or involvement of the child welfare system. The current Indiana code 31-36-3-2 (2019) reads
IC 31-36-3-2

Shelter or services and items provided to children

Sec. 2. An emergency shelter, a shelter care facility, or a program that
provides services or items that are directly related to providing
shelter to individuals who:
(1) are homeless; or
(2) have a low income;
may provide shelter and services or items that are directly
related to providing shelter to a child without the notification,
consent, or permission of the child's parent, guardian, or
custodian.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.72-2009, SEC.1.
However, the case manager or agency must provide the Department of Child Services
(DCS) with the name of the child, the location of the shelter or facility, and any reported abuse or
neglect. If no abuse/neglect is reported, then the parent, guardian, or custodian is notified. This
provision only allows access to short-term homeless services for 24 hours before DCS/guardian
notification. This discourages many individuals from seeking available services. A simple policy
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 23

change provides immediate permanent homeless services and jumpstarts the screening process
for long-term assistance.
Multiple stakeholders (young adults who are homeless, DCS administration, Outreach
workers, workers in a transitional-living program, shelter employees, volunteers, etc.) agreed the
half-effective policies of the Department of Child Services remain the chief obstacles in casting a
wider net for these services. Despite the obvious need, the Indiana state government office feels
no change is needed: they provide adequate help to homeless youth. Statistics and interviews say
otherwise. Stakeholders must work with DCS—as a system—to help them understand the policy
change is not to undermine the office’s mandate but offer teens an alternative to DCS
involvement.
While each person had their view on what it would take to end this cycle, the overarching
solution that would systematically eradicate young adult homelessness were partnerships and
collaboration. However, individual solutions (or component solutions as part of general systems
theory) included:
! Designated shelters for this subgroup of young adults
! Job skills/career development programs that instill effective independent
living skills
! Educational opportunities that allow minors to seek services without
parental consent
! Establishment of a support system (especially in the absence of biological
family being present)

These multiple and wide-ranging solutions illustrate the impossibility of ending
homelessness with a lone agency. No single initiative or program will provide a blanket
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 24

solution; all parts working together while building partnerships and collaborating with many is
essential with efforts in reducing harm.
However, these solutions are based on reactions/interventions to young adults already
experiencing homelessness. The system needs a proactive solution beyond a quick fix (in other
words, we need to prevent fires, not just learn how to put them out). The essential question: what
can be done to prevent homelessness for young adults at the problem’s inception?
All the solutions suggested by stakeholders are viable, but the most effective and
specific—both in the long term and short term— is altering Indiana code 31-36-3-2. Not
allowing these teens services without parental consent or involvement with child welfare
condemns them to a chaos of either living on the streets or with various people (colloquially
called couch surfing). Additionally, the potential for increased criminal activity survives.
However, after various youth/young adult task force meetings, the policy change was further
iterated into 3 categories:
! Allowing minors, the ability to sign a lease at age 16/17
! Allowing minors of 16/17, the ability to receive permanent homeless
services independent of consent
! Provide minors of 16/17 a simplified emancipation process
Currently, these at-risk youth face mandatory reporting to DCS, preventing an
independent assessment or placement in appropriate housing programs that meet their individual
needs. Once 18, that changes, and they can be clinically assessed and, based on their need,
placed in the appropriate housing program, or waiting list. These housing programs are youth-
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 25

specific and based on unique need. As effective as they are, we should be wondering how we
can prevent these at-risk youth from transitioning into adulthood while homeless?
Once effectively demonstrated, the amendment of Indiana code 31-36-3-2 can evolve
from a regional to a federal law. This will provide hundreds of thousands of teens the
opportunity to access permanent homeless services. It will not only allow for a reduction in the
annual PIT count, as these youth will access services to end their homelessness, but it will also
allow a more systemic approach as outlined in the logic model that will:
! Improve access to homeless services without having to wait until 18
! Reduce in the annual PIT count for unaccompanied minors
! Improve social, health, and economic well-being
! Provide successful mental health/substance abuse treatment
! Increase metrics on job attainment, retainment, and independence
! Allow the evaluation and monitoring of the policy by yearly tracking of housing
and employment sustainability, along with self-sufficiency metrics (how to
access transportation, identification of support system (formal/informal),
healthcare, budgeting, etc.)
! Reduce criminal activity
!
Therefore, utilizing the conceptual framework and a systemic approach encompassing
“the whole” of a youth/young adult will help to decrease/elimination of youth/young adult
homelessness and improve their overall quality of life while reducing further harm.
Homelessness continues to be a persistent and glaring issue nationally and
internationally, and, while it may not be a panacea, this simple expansion of Indiana code 31-36-
3-2 is an inexpensive and effective solution. Currently, the fear of DCS involvement is a barrier
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 26

for these youth receiving services as a minor without parental consent; a simpler process for
emancipation is needed.
By partnering with multiple agencies (including CHIP), we would increase the policy’s
scope and force American society to reassess their perception of 16/17-year-olds. After all, if
they can be tried as adults in the legal system, why can’t they be allowed a chance at
independence instead of homelessness? With this change in policy, the assessment protocol for
homeless services can begin when need arises, not years later. This will help with the long-term
goal of positive health and social outcomes for these teens to live in the community without legal
challenges. It will also help to remove the hurdles blocking solutions for homelessness.
Our national programs (Basic Center Program, Transitional Living Program, and Street
Outreach Program) created to end youth/young adult homelessness don’t exist for youth under
18 unless involved in the child welfare system. Therefore, the change in policy is needed to
include these youths who have shown the cognitive capabilities of living independently (with an
effective supportive network). On national level, and with a focus on the systemic framework,
this initiative coordinates the efforts of systems/agencies much like a force multiplier, making
them far more effective than a focus on a single aspect of homelessness.
This strategy’s likelihood for success among youths aged 16/17 is high, the cost
marginal, and the solution straightforward. What’s more is it ensures these teens receive all the
needed services: our paramount goal. While this subgroup of homelessness is smaller compared
to the entire homeless population, this change in policy demonstrates how a simple legislative
approach can help (or hinder) subgroups of homelessness.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 27

BACKGROUND

Homeless youth, ages 16 - 17 years of age, are unable to access permanent homeless
services without parental consent or being involved in the child welfare system, which keeps
them in a “state of homelessness”. Nationally, youth under 18 make up 18% or 106,364, of the
annual 2020 Point-In-Time (PIT) count of 580,466 homeless individuals on a single night: with
5,625 homeless individuals in the state of Indiana on a single night
1
. Locally, in the city of
Indianapolis, there are a reported 1,588 homeless individuals, of which 13% or roughly 206, are
under 18 in the 2020 PIT count
2
.
Being involved in child welfare or the juvenile justice system has shown a 57% higher
impact rate of being homeless compared to youth/young adults not involved in either of these
systems
3
. There are many causes to youth/young adults being homeless, however, over 90%
reported family conflict (including abuse and neglect) as the main cause that led to
homelessness. While family conflict is more prevalent, there are other causes (financial issues
within the family/poverty, racial disparities, sexual orientation, mental health/substance abuse
issues, being involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems, etc.) that lead youth/young
adults into homelessness
4
.
SHARED STORIES
Here are two that illustrate the issue of not being able to access permanent homeless
services prior to 18:

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 28

I ran away when I was 15 because I was tired of being abused by my stepfather
and my mother not doing anything to protect me. The first time I was picked up,
they took me to juvenile because my mother called me in as a runaway. I was
already in therapy, but the therapist never listened to me about not feeling safe at
home and just wanted to find ways to communicate better. How can I
communicate with someone that doesn’t’t listen to me? I ran again at 16 multiple
times and did things to survive. I was scared to ask for help because I knew they
would call the cops and send me back home or I would stay in juvenile. I learned
about Outreach when I was 17 and I have been coming here for a year to eat,
shower, change clothes, and stuff like that. They told me they could help me, but I
couldn’t’t go back home, so I didn’t’t accept any help besides coming to the
outreach center. I have stayed on the street, with friends, in buildings, etc. Now
that I am 18, I’m on the waiting list for housing.
-18-year-old homeless male

I was put out of my house because I got pregnant at 16 and had my baby at 17.
My mom has 6 kids and I’m the oldest, so I know how to raise a child, but she
said she was not taking care of another baby. I have worked since I was 15, so I
could take care of myself and my baby, I just needed a place to live. When I was
kicked out, I called the cops because I thought they would help, but DCS sent me
to a group home for girls with babies. I didn’t’t like it there, so I moved in with
my aunt when my baby was born, but all she wanted me to do was give her my
money. I didn’t’t have a choice because I needed a place to stay, and I couldn’t’t
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 29

sign a lease and I couldn’t’t do any programs until I turned 18. I’m now living in
a transitional living apartment.
-18-year-old homeless female
PROPOSED SOLUTION

Changing the law/policy that would allow 16-17-year old’s the ability to seek permanent
homeless services without parental consent or being involved in the child welfare system if they
are shown to need homeless services.
This change will allow 16–17-year old’s access to permanent homeless services in the
state of Indiana with a harm reduction framework. Meaning this policy will be designed to
decrease the negative social or physical determinants in which homelessness can cause to an
individual’s life.
Creating this law/policy will not only allow for a reduction in the annual PIT count as these
youth will be able to access permanent homeless services and not remain on the street, but it will
also allow a more holistic approach (Systems Theory) that will:
• Improve access to homeless services without having to wait until 18
• A reduction in the annual PIT count for unaccompanied minors
• Improve social, health, and economic well-being
• Involvement in mental health/substance abuse treatment (once assessed)
• Job attainment and the ability to maintain employment
• Housing sustainability with case management resources…self-sufficiency metrics (how
to access transportation, identification of support system (formal/informal), healthcare,
budgeting, etc.)
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 30

• Development of independent living skills
• Reduction in criminal activity

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 30

AFFECTING CHANGE
The above (untested) prototype of a policy brief outlines the background and proposed solution
(and incorporating suggestions from two young adults struggling with homelessness). This
change will allow 16/17-year-olds access to permanent homeless services in the state of Indiana
within a harm reduction framework; specifically, this policy will decrease the negative social or
physical determinants resulting from homelessness.
The current Indiana code 31-36-3-2 (2009) reads:
IC 31-36-3-2

Shelter or services and items provided to children

Sec. 2. An emergency shelter, a shelter care facility, or a program that
provides services or items that are directly related to providing shelter to
individuals who:
(1) are homeless; or
(2) have a low income; may provide shelter and services or items that
are directly related to providing shelter to a child without the
notification, consent, or permission of the child's parent, guardian, or
custodian.
As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.72-2009, SEC.1.
However, within 24 hours, agencies must provide the Department of Child Services
(DCS) with the name of the child, the location of the shelter or facility, and whether
abuse/neglect is reported. If no abuse/neglect is reported, then the parent, guardian, or custodian
must be notified. This means the current journey only allows access to short-term homeless
services for 24 hours before child welfare and/or parent/guardian is notified. However, with the
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 31

policy change, a new journey will allow for immediate permanent homeless services, plus the
process of screening for long-term assistance with a multifaceted approach in providing
solutions.
DCS involvement is a barrier for some teens; in some cases, they may decide to leave the
shelter/facility before 24 hours and/or may give false information. If need is determined, this
change in the law/policy will allow these youth to start the process of assessment and the
transition to more permanent services versus only being able to access short-term emergency
interventions. This change does not negate the need for DCS involvement or even circumvent
their authority but is simply another route that some may want to take to secure services.
This policy brief provides an appropriate channel of communication, as it can offer a
legislator a snapshot of the problem. In a recent conversation, a representative from NASW
(National Association of Social Workers) agreed that sending concise memos to legislators
specifically outlining the issue and including possible solutions to address that issue is the best
way to get the legislative ball rolling.
The question of success with this law/policy change will be tested through a series of
surveys, evaluations, and focus groups. The surveys will be distributed to homeless youth/young
adults, current service providers, foster families, and others to determine how great the need for
this policy change. Then providers will conduct best practice evaluations, with a focus on the
systemic approach needed to address this problem (one design has been formulated to see how
the development of independent living skills/mental health services will improve the outcomes of
these youth). Finally, providers will model future strategies using the testimony and
recommendations of 16–17-year-old teens.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 32

This proposed plan provides teens with another channel of service opportunities. It will
take out the need to get child welfare involved without eliminating child welfare for teens that
want that service. This alternate channel will allow for homeless youth to receive the needed
services with involvement of the coordinated entry plan for youth homelessness. The
Coordinated Entry System (CES) identifies, assesses, refers, and connects young adults to
housing (in the form of shelters and/or permanent housing) when in a crisis (Coalition for
Homelessness Intervention & Prevention, 2021). However, currently this system is only allowed
with the 18 and above age group.
These shelters are secured through an online system that starts the referral process.
Referrals are prioritized by vulnerability and degree of need, and the entire process is managed
through CHIP in Indianapolis (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention, 2021).
One such tool to assess the degree of need is the Transition Age Youth - Vulnerability Index -
Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (TAY-VI-SPDAT). See Appendix A. This
brief survey was developed as a pre-screening tool to assess the severity of high, moderate, or
low acuity to prioritize youth who need the full (SPDAT) See Appendix B in determining a
broader understanding of need (CTA group, 2015).
The current market that provides services to youth involved with child welfare is the
Older Youth Initiatives (OYI) programs. In 2019, the age limit for OYI programs extended to
the age of 21, with voluntary Older Youth Services (OYS), formerly known as the Chafee
Independent Living Services until the age of 23 (Indiana Department of Child Services, 2021).
The OYI program includes: Older Youth Services (OYS), Collaborative Care and
Voluntary Services. Both OYS and Collaborative Care are services and supports assisting older
youth with goal attainment, while OYS and Collaborative Care are primarily focused on helping
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 33

youth expected to turn 18 in foster care. Voluntary Services are for youth who have “aged out”
of the foster care system and are geared to assisting former foster youth with housing,
employment, and education (Indiana Department of Child Services, 2021).
The primary purposes of the OYS program are:
1. Identify youth who are expected to remain in foster care until their 18th birthday
or after and assist them in making the transition to self-sufficiency/independence.
2. Help youth receive necessary education, training, and services to overcome
potential barriers to employment.
3. Help youth prepare for and enter post-secondary education and/or training
institutions.
4. Provide personal and emotional support for youth aging out of foster care.
5. Assist youth in locating and identifying community resources available to the
youth after DCS involvement.
6. Encourage positive personal growth in older youth through teachable moments
(Indiana Department of Child Services, 2021).

Older Youth Initiatives is designed as a continuum of care beginning at age 16 with an
extension of foster care until the youth turns 21 years of age and voluntary services as a safety
net for older youth from age 21 to 23 (Indiana Department of Child Services, 2021).
This policy change will allow for similar benefits for youth not involved with child
welfare. Allowing these youth access to similar services will help to decrease/eliminate youth
homelessness who are lacking support while trying to survive on their own in the streets.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 34

EPIS FRAMEWORK
The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment framework (EPIS) as
outlined by Aarons, Hurlburt, and Horwitz (2011), will further show the effectiveness of the
proposed policy change at the state level in reducing/eliminating youth/young adult
homelessness. The EPIS model looks at the inner/outer context for both barriers and facilitators.
If implemented properly, the following will show how allowing 16/17-year old’s the ability to
access homeless services independently can be advantageous to the overall well-being of this
population.
Exploration phase –
Barriers in the outer context: (advocacy) leading to attitudes and beliefs that the system
did not help them when involved before leading to emotional and behavioral
consequences.
Facilitators in the outer context: a new policy that will eliminate the barrier to emotional
and behavioral consequences leading to a change in beliefs.
Barriers in the inner context: inner distrust influencing future relationships, lack of
effective treatment/counseling previously.
Facilitators in the inner context: support leaders that can help drive change in
beliefs/past trauma with effective treatment/counselors using evidence-based curriculum.

A Canadian pilot study examining the link between the child welfare system and
homelessness showed that these barriers may have emotional and behavioral consequences for
youth/young adults: they may lead to distrust of others while influencing future relationships
(Serge et al., 2002). These barriers show the need for youth/young adults to have this policy
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 35

change so steps toward ending homelessness can happen prior to them turning 18. Ensuring that
barriers in perception of the “system” and past experiences, will be critical in engaging youth to
define the current problem to provide evidence needed for the later stages of creating a policy
change (Garcia et al., 2014).
Preparation –
Barriers in the outer context: inter-organizational networks, incompatible foster care
placements leading to DCS involvement, a lack of independent living skills prior to
leaving home, and poor communication.
Facilitators in the outer context: a collective approach (school counselors, mentors,
police officers, etc.) focused on finding a good fit for each individual need while utilizing
a holistic/systemic approach.
Barriers in the inner context: knowledge and survival skills (depending on the age of
onset), apathy, and weak interpersonal relationships.
Facilitators in the inner context: support team (social workers, case managers, mentors)
that can help the teen develop the independent living skills to transition into adulthood.

“Street kids” choose to be homeless rather than return home or risk foster care while
becoming survivors on the street: sleeping, eating, taking care of themselves (Holdaway & Ray,
1992). Despite their struggles, they would prefer to “make it on their own” rather than being put
in a situation that may cause them more harm. This policy change will help to change this
dynamic by allowing youth/young adults the ability to receive long-term services tailored to their
specific needs, instead of the temporary fix of being place in a foster home with an available bed
while utilizing the harm reduction framework.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 36

Implementation –
Barriers in the outer context: intervention development (not being developmentally
ready but thrust into a system that expects them to be ready with no supportive network).
Facilitators in the outer context: homeless agencies, social workers, case managers to
help get needed documents/connections to other services (mental health, employment,
etc.).

Barriers in the inner context: adaptability (being involved in a system that is not
flexible), choosing to exit a system prematurely because they see it as ineffective.
Facilitators in the inner context: social workers that can assess their needs and place
them in appropriate programs/services.

The lack of developmental awareness on the part of the youth and providers is a key
factor on the implementation of an effective policy change. While 16/17-year-olds may desire
being on their own, assessing their cognitive ability is going to be crucial to the success of
placing them in homeless services (not every 16/17 will be ready for this level of care). For
these youth, control is paramount, and programs need to be offered that allow them to maintain a
degree of control; otherwise, the street youth will not utilize any type of service (Holdaway et al.,
1992). This policy change will offer services tailored to each teen’s individual needs. A study in
California discussed how youth participating in action research may demonstrate better self-
efficacy while being less likely to engage in risky behaviors while leveraging adult mentors that
can help champion their cause (Garcia et al., 2014).
Sustainment –
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 37

Barriers in the outer context: policy change (state initiative).
Facilitators in the outer context: lobbyist/legislation that can move the policy forward.
Barriers in the inner context: fidelity monitoring.
Facilitators in the inner context: providers working with the homeless population to
follow success, drop in the annual Point-In-Time Count (using either the RE-AIM or
EPIC framework for effective monitoring).

Earlier research has shown that adult-youth partnerships may prove to be difficult, but if
a partnership developed at the start of this process, this may alter this barrier and improve the
partnership process (Garcia et al., 2014).

FINANCIAL PLAN

Advocacy for the policy change allowing 16/17 teens access to permanent homeless
services independently in an effort to reduce/elminate youth homelessnes, while also providing
mental health/indpendent living services to the youth will be through CHANGES, a solo for-
profit LLC.
Financial plan for start-up and first full year of operation
Revenue Start-up (1 year) First full year
Expenses (other) $5,000 plus $2,640
volunteer services
$120,000
Surplus $2,313 $7,794
$2,035 $85,019

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 38

The expenses for the initial year (advocacy and policy implementation) covers any
general cost in the formation of the LLC, as well as supplied needed for volunteer committee
work (such as computer purchase and supplies, phones, liability insurance, and business cards).
However, costs during the first year of the agency's operation also includes rent, furniture,
trainings, costs associated with program collaboration for mental health services/independent
living groups, and a therapy note system.
During this policy implementation phase, revenue comes from a $5000 donation from a
fellow mental health agency along with the volunteer efforts of the committee working to change
the policy. The revenue from the first full year of mental health services comes from a fee-for-
service model. These monies will come from a partnership with a non-profit outreach agency
that provides case management (but no mental health/independent living services for homeless
youth/young adults) through a Request for Proposal (RFP). Details of both expenses and
revenue are included in the attached budgets. See Appendix C
PROGRAM EXPENSES
Start-up personnel costs include the volunteers (preferably 5-10) needed to work on the
policy change. This committee will be fully voluntary and professionally diverse (e.g.,
youth/young adults, service providers, social workers, case managers, and ancillary professionals
(such as attorneys, lobbyists, etc.). While the start-up staff is completely voluntary, we estimate
the costs to be $55 an hour x 4 hours a month x 365 days, totaling $2640/person in voluntary
expenses. This voluntary committee meets bimonthly for two hours, with the goal of submitting
the proposed policy change after one year. The varying backgrounds and skill sets supply a
much-needed diversity in viewpoints and reflecting the universal nature of youth homelessness.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 39

Staffing costs for the first year also includes an independent, licensed mental health
therapist. They would exclusively work with youth/young adults through an outreach program
that offers case management services, but no direct mental health services. Partnering with this
program will allow for the youth/young adults to receive the mental health services and/or
independent living groups that strengthen the connections they are already receiving in the
outreach program. This will be a fee-for-service model of $50 an hour for 80 hours a month.
The proposal allocates an additional $100 per month for “coffee meetings,” the incidental
purchases needed to maintain and establish partnerships, either with other agencies or human
resources. The agency will also work with homeless teens (aged 16/17 needing mental health
services while struggling with housing instability) through an RFP with the state of Indiana to
provide individual and/or family therapy services that may allow them to return home. This will
be a fee-for-service model at $100 an hour for 60 hours a month.
NON-PERSONNEL COSTS
The non-personnel costs for the start-up activities will consist of the LLC formation at
$1200 and a laptop at $800. Most work will be done in a home office, with meetings either via
Zoom or face-to-face in community settings. This will help to cut down on expenses until
mental health services begin. These will be one-time costs for the start-up activities of the policy
advocacy and implementation.
The initial year’s non-personnel costs also include office space rental at $4200 a year,
furniture at $1000, and a therapy note system at $1188. Additional costs include trainings at
$500 annually for recertifications or to receive new certifications that will enhance the treatment
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 40

modality needed for this population. Once established, the rent and therapy note system will be a
fixed cost, and the furniture a one-time cost.
PROGRAM REVENUE
Due to the start-up being comprised of a volunteer committee, the most logical revenue
structure is the formation of diverse volunteers and a one-time donation from an existing mental
health agency. This donation will allow for the LLC’s formation while being able to complete
the start-up activities with a surplus. The volunteer committee will be comprised of youth/young
adults, social workers, case managers, DCS representatives, legal workers, and others.
The most logical revenue structure for the mental health services in the first full year of
operation, due to this being a for-profit agency, is a fee-for-service model. This allows for
partnerships with youth/young adult homeless organizations not offering mental health services
to be more inclusive and on-site. Being able to provide on-site mental health services reduces
the transportation barrier.
The revenue plan for the start-up is a $5000 donation from an existing mental health
agency along with $2640 for volunteer work (time for the monthly meetings for a year). The
donation will be a one-time offer that will allow for a surplus after expenses. See details in
attached budget.
The revenue plan for the first full year of mental health services in the for-profit LLC,
will come from a partnership with an outreach program that only offers case management
services to youth/young adults who are homeless. This partnership will consist of 80 hours a
month of mental health therapy and/or independent living groups at $50 an hour (estimated
$48,000 annually). This will be a fee-for-service model and paid out at the beginning of every
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 41

month, for the previous month’s billable hours. A state RFP will be secured to work specifically
with teens who are experiencing homelessness or a dysfunctional/chaotic home life. This
contract will consist of a fee-for-service model for about 60 hours a month at $100 an hour, paid
monthly (estimated $72,000 annually).
FINANCIAL CONCLUSION
The financial performance of this policy enactment agency appears positive, with the
start-up and first full year ending with a surplus. The volunteer committee will offset many
financial obligations that could occur during the start-up activities. Revenue during the first full
year will come through partnerships and an RFP to offer mental health services to youth/young
adults experiencing homelessness. Financial risks include any unanticipated difficulties with
these revenue streams, necessitating a pivot. If a pivot need occur, this agency may collaborate
with other established, non-profit homeless programs.
The policy change and service needs could be scaled in other states (as youth
homelessness is a national issue), and this policy change will show the efficacy of
implementation and the reduction of youth homelessness. Monitoring of the metrics for
effectiveness of this policy change will help to sustain these youth in receiving permanent
homeless services, with the overall goal of being able to transition from these services into full
independent status. The fee-for-service model is the best approach for positive financial gains in
the for-profit agency.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 42

MEASUREMENT
Life skills (one piece of the system) are essential if we want to end homelessness
holistically. Youth/young adults need these skills to give them tools for sustainability in the quest
to end homelessness. What’s the best method for life skills’ retention and measurement?
The impact of the evidence-based practice (EBP) intervention on life skills development
will be measured at various intervals during independent living groups of identified 16/17-year-
olds entering permanent homeless services, homeless minors identified through street outreach
connections, and/or clients at Outreach, Inc. (a drop-in center in Indianapolis). The goal is to
determine if EBP intervention improves life skills among those entering permanent homeless
services through independent living groups alone, or if coupling groups with mental health
counseling is more effective.
These voluntary groups will be conducted by one licensed clinician (initially, with others
added if the need arises) using an evidence-based program developed after the pretest is
completed. Groups will have no more than ten teens at a time, with additional groups added to
accommodate for the number of teens needing the assessment and training. The Ansell-Casey
Life Skills Assessment has six domains (communication, daily living, housing/money
management, self-care, social relationships, and work/study habits). At the end of each domain,
measurements will assess progress or a need to complete part of the domain again before moving
on. See Appendix D
This will be a 12-week group (with measurement intervals every four weeks). The
pretest will measure the baseline score and specific areas of focus. Then there will be interval
measures after each domain is completed/intervention given. Once this pilot evaluation is
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 43

completed, if EBP intervention is shown to improve the retention and development of life skills,
the next phase is to evaluate the correlation between life skills development and the overall span
of homelessness. This data collection will be conducted by a staff at Outreach, Inc. who already
does data collection for the agency.
This policy change will be able to drastically change the lives of aged 16/17 teens
experiencing homelessness by giving them the same advantage in life as teens aging out of the
foster care system and are able to access collaborative care services through child welfare. Being
in crisis shouldn’t mean one cannot have the same opportunity as someone exiting foster care
(who happens to be part of the child welfare system). In an ideal world, everyone would have
the same opportunities. That is often not the case.
Ethically, one could argue that allowing these teens independence could be more harmful
by permanently taking away the rights of the parents. Careful screening is needed to effectively
determine the best plan for each teen. While every plan has pros and cons, the pros outweigh the
cons when it comes to implementing a policy to reduce homelessness. Emancipating a teen at 16
or 17—with the ability to access permanent homeless services—can markedly change the
trajectory of their life.

CONCLUSION
With over 106,000 homeless youths in the United States alone, the scope of children and
teen homelessness is staggering. Couple this with its diversity of causes, and there’s no single,
easy solution to eradicate it. Meaningful improvement will take cooperative, measured efforts
from the public, from mental health professionals, and from legislators, with all parties working
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 44

in a tandem system. Youth homelessness is also an issue fraught with controversy, and with as
many proposed solutions as there are stakeholders.
It’s rare to discover a single, simple solution to any issue involved with homelessness, but
my proposed amendment of Indiana Code 31-36-3-2 (allowing 16/17 youths experiencing
homelessness to seek services independent of guardian consent or child welfare involvement) is
one of them.
In over 25 years of practice, I have worked with many teens experiencing the strains and
trauma at home and making the decision to run away and “do it on their own”. Majority to no
avail. Having this policy will give these teens a voice and direction. While not all 16/17-year
old’s are equipped to navigate the world on their own, some are. It is the one’s in true need that
require this change in policy. Just like with most things, it works for some, but not for others. It
is up to us to know when we must pivot and do something different to help. Child welfare is
very much needed, but so is an alternative in helping everyone.
This policy can go beyond just the state of Indiana. If enacted, it can be adopted by other
states so that teens at 16 and 17, in true need of permanent homeless services can receive the
help they need when that need arises versus having to wait until 18, trying to navigate the streets
alone. Taking this nationally, will slowly start to bring the homeless numbers down in a
structured and systematic way. This systemic approach can then be applied to other subgroups
that can continue working to decrease/eliminate the staggering number of homeless individuals
in a single night in the yearly Point-In-Time count.
Shoving children through the child welfare system, no matter how good the intentions,
has a long-term detrimental effect on this demographic. Every effort should be made to not make
bad situations worse. This should be a system priority, not just a priority for a single agency or
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 45

component of that system. My focus on interagency cooperation between entities of the Family
and Youth Services Bureau, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, and
Indiana legislators allows for a multifaceted approach to this policy change.
Amending Indiana Code 31-36-3-2 can have an immediate and positive effect on a
significant number of youths/young adults and reflects the greatest barrier in encouraging this
subgroup in seeking assistance in the first place: a measure of control. Once help is sought and
trust established, the full momentum of Indiana’s social welfare programs and professionals can
be brought to bear. It is the first tentative steps that prove the most delicate and the most
influential. Agency and entity cooperation—and a single-mindedness in purpose—can make
those fragile steps easier and the end result much more effective.
The short-term benefit of this policy change is obvious, but its long-term
accomplishments may prove more significant. By demonstrating that general systems theory is
effective and practical with a harm reduction framework, my fellow professionals and vested
parties can apply the same efforts to other policy problems and solutions. The potential of this
method as a strategic tool in reducing youth homelessness both regionally and nationally—and in
other fields of social work—is as staggering as the problem of youth homelessness itself.
By joining forces with a legislator already working to improve the lives of youth is the
next step. By making that connection, conversations/plans can be carried further so that this
policy can be enacted within the state of Indiana.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 46

REFERENCES
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Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Public Service Sectors. Administration and
Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38(1), 4-23.
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (2021). About Homelessness. Homeless Hub.
https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/service-provision/life-skills-training
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017) https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/ehsnet/system-
theory.htm
Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention. (2021). Point-in-Time Count 2020.
CHIP.
https://www.chipindy.org/uploads/1/3/3/1/133118768/2020_pit_infographic_final.pdf
Congressional Research Service (2019, March 26). Runaway and Homeless Youth:
Demographics and Programs. CRS Reports.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33785
CTA group (2015). http://ctagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TAY-VI-SPDAT-v1.0-US-
Print.pdf
Edidin J.P., Ganim Z., Hunter S.J., Karnik N.S. (2012) The mental and physical health of
homeless youth: a literature review. Child Psychiatry and Human Development.(3): 354-
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Family Law and Juvenile Law. IN Code § 31-36-3-2 (2017).
https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2017/title-31/article-36/chapter-3/section-31-36-3-2/
Fowler, P.J., Hovmand, P.S., Marcal, K.E., & Das, S. (2019). Solving Homelessness from a
Complex Systems Perspective: Insights for Prevention Responses. Annual Review of
Public Health (40): 465–86.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 47

Garcia, A. P., Minkler, M., Cardenas, Z., Grills, C., & Porter, C. (2014). Engaging Homeless
Youth in Community-Based Participatory Research: A Case Study from Skid Row, Los
Angeles. Health Promotion Practice, 15(1), 18-27.
Henry M., Sousa T., Roddey C., Gayen S., and Bednar T.J. (2021, January). The 2020 Annual
Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. The U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2020-
AHAR-Part-1.pdf
Holdaway, D.M., & Ray, J. (1992). Attitudes of street kids toward foster care. Child Adolescent
Social Work 9 (4), 307–317.
HUD (2017). https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/FUP_FACT_SHEET.PDF
Jones, M. M. (2015). Creating a Science of Homelessness During the Reagan Era. Milbank
Quarterly (93): 139-178.
Narendorf, S., Brydon, D. M., Santa Maria, D., Bender, K., Ferguson, K. M., Hsu, H., Barman-
Adhikari, A., Shelton, J., & Petering, R. (2020). System involvement among young adults
experiencing homelessness: Characteristics of four system-involved subgroups and
relationship to risk outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review (108).
National Alliance to End Homelessness (2021, April). Youth and Young Adults. Homelessness in
America. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/who-experiences-
homelessness/youth/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (2020). Kids, Teens, & Young Adults. NAMI.
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Teens-Young-Adults
National Alliance on Mental Illness (2020). Exploring the State of Homelessness 2020. NAMI.
https://endhomelessness.org/exploring-the-state-of-homelessness-in-2020/
National Association of Homebuilders (2005, December 12). More housing needed to keep
children with their families. Nation’s Building News.
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2005-12-12/FrontCPage/3 .html
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 48

National Coalition for the Homeless. (2009, July). Mental Illness and Homelessness. National
Homeless. https://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/Mental_Illness.pdf
National Coalition for the Homeless. (2020). Housing and Homelessness. National Homeless.
https://nationalhomeless.org/issues/housing/
National Council of Nonprofits. (2021). Collective Impact. National Council of Nonprofits.
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/collective-impact
National Harm Reduction Coalition. https://harmreduction.org/issues/harm-reduction-
basics/homelessness-harm-reduction-facts/
National Health Care for the Homeless Council. (December 2017.) Suicide and Homelessness:
Data trends in suicide and mental health among homeless populations. National Health
Care for the Homeless Council. https://nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/suicide-
fact-sheet.pdf
National Network for Youth. (2017, March). Federal Policy Solutions to Prevent and End Youth
and Young Adult Homelessness. NN4YOUTH. https://nn4youth.org/wp-
content/uploads/NN4Y-Policy-Brief-2017.pdf
Newman, B., Newman, P. (2020). Chapter 4 - Dynamic systems theory. Theories of Adolescent
Development. Academic Press: 77-112
Nyamathi, A., Marfisee, M., Slagle, A., Greengold, B., Liu, Y., and Leake, B. (2012). Correlates
of Depressive Symptoms Among Homeless Young Adults. Western Journal of Nursing
Research 34 (1) 97 –117.
Roller White, C., Gallegos, A., O’Brien, K., Weisberg, S., Pecora, P., & Medina, R. (2011) The
Relationship Between Homelessness and Mental Health Among Alumni of Foster Care:
Results from the Casey Young Adult Survey. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 5(4), 369-
389.
Rosenberg, Jaime (2019, March 19). Mental Health Issues on the Rise Among Adolescents,
Young Adults. The American Journal of Managed Care.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 49

https://www.ajmc.com/view/mental-health-issues-on-the-rise-among-adolescents-young-
adults
Science Direct (1998). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/systems-theory
Serge, L., Eberle, M., Goldberg, M., Sullivan, S., & Dudding, P. (2002). Pilot Study: The Child
Welfare System and Homelessness among Canadian Youth
Stroh, D.P., & Goodman, M. (2007). A Systemic Approach to Ending Homelessness. Applied
Systems Thinking Journal. Topical Issues, Article (4) 1-8.
United Nations. (1998). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948-1998. New
York: United Nations Dept. of Public Information.
Watson, B. (2013, Dec 20). The number of homeless youth is growing, but funding to
help them is not. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-
people/wp/2013/12/20/the-number-of-homeless-youth-is-growing-but-funding-to-help-
them-is-not/
YouthCare. (2020). Why Are Youth Homeless? YouthCare. https://youthcare.org/why-are-
youth-homeless/
Youth.gov. (2010). Federal Programs. Youth.gov. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/runaway-
and-homeless-youth/federal-programs
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 50

Appendix A

Transition Age Youth -
Vulnerability Index -
Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool
(TAY-VI-SPDAT)

“Next Step Tool for Homeless Youth”

AMERICAN VERSION 1.0

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing, Community
Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved.
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

Eric Rice, PhD
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 51

Welcome to the SPDAT Line of Products
The Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) has been around in various incarnations for over a decade, before being released to the public in 2010. Since its
initial release, the use of the SPDAT has been expanding exponentially and is now used in over one thousand communities across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
More communities using the tool means there is an unprecedented demand for versions of the SPDAT, customized for specific client groups or types of users. With the release
of SPDAT V4, there have been more current versions of SPDAT products than ever before.
VI-SPDAT Series
The Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) was developed as a pre-screening tool for communities that are very busy and do not have
the resources to conduct a full SPDAT assessment for every client. It was made in collaboration with Community Solutions, creators of the Vulnerability Index, as a brief survey
that can be conducted to quickly determine whether a client has high, moderate, or low acuity. The use of this survey can help prioritize which clients should be given a full SPDAT
assessment first. Because it is a self-reported survey, no special training is required to use the VI-SPDAT.
Current versions available:
• VI-SPDAT V 2.0
• Family VI-SPDAT V 2.0
• Next Step Tool for Homeless Youth V 1.0
All versions are available online at
www.orgcode.com/products/vi-spdat/
SPDAT Series
The Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) was developed as an assessment tool for front- line workers at agencies that work with homeless clients to prioritize which
of those clients should receive assistance first. The SPDAT tools are also designed to help guide case management and improve housing stability outcomes. They provide an in-
depth assessment that relies on the assessor’s ability to interpret responses and corroborate those with evidence. As a result, this tool may only be used by those who have received
proper, up-to-date training provided by OrgCode Consulting, Inc. or an OrgCode certified trainer.
Current versions available:
• SPDAT V 4.0 for Individuals
• F-SPDAT V 2.0 for Families
• Y-SPDAT V 1.0 for Youth
Information about all versions is available online at
www.orgcode.com/products/spdat/

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 2
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 52

SPDAT Training Series
To use the SPDAT assessment product, training by OrgCode or an OrgCode certified trainer is required. We provide training on a wide variety of topics over a variety of mediums.
The full-day in-person SPDAT Level 1 training provides you the opportunity to bring together as many people as you want to be trained for one low fee. The webinar training allows
for a maximum of 15 dif- ferent computers to be logged into the training at one time. We also offer online courses for individuals that you can do at your own speed.
The training gives you the manual, case studies, application to current practice, a review of each compo- nent of the tool, conversation guidance with prospective clients – and
more!
Current SPDAT training available:
• Level 0 SPDAT Training: VI-SPDAT for Frontline Workers
• Level 1 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Frontline Workers
• Level 2 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Supervisors
• Level 3 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Trainers
Other related training available:
• Excellence in Housing-Based Case Management
• Coordinated Access & Common Assessment
• Motivational Interviewing
• Objective-Based Interactions
More information about SPDAT training, including pricing, is available online at
http://www.orgcode.com/product-category/training/spdat/

The TAY-VI-SPDAT – The Next Step Tool for Homeless Youth
OrgCode Consulting, Inc. and Community Solutions joined forces with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) to combine the best parts of products and expertise to create
one streamlined triage tool designed specifically for youth aged 24 or younger.

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 3
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 53

Administration
Opening Script
Every assessor in your community regardless of organization completing the VI-SPDAT should use the same introductory script. In that script you should highlight the following
information:
• the name of the assessor and their affiliation (organization that employs them, volunteer as part of a Point in Time
Count, etc.)
• the purpose of the VI-SPDAT being completed
• that it usually takes less than 7 minutes to complete
• that only “Yes,” “No,” or one-word answers are being sought
• that any question can be skipped or refused
• where the information is going to be stored
• that if the participant does not understand a question that clarification can be provided
• the importance of relaying accurate information to the assessor and not feeling that there is a correct or
preferred answer that they need to provide, nor information they need to conceal
Basic Information

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 4
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

¨ Team
¨ Staff
¨
Survey Location

In what language do you feel best able to express yourself?
Date of Birth Social Security Number Consent to participate

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 54

A. History of Housing and Homelessness
1. Where do you sleep most frequently? (check one)

2. How long has it been since you lived in permanent stable Years
housing?
3. In the last three years, how many times have you been
homeless?
¨ Refused

¨ Refused

B. Risks
4. In the past six months, how many times have you...
a) Received health care at an emergency department/room? ¨ Refused
b) Taken an ambulance to the hospital? ¨ Refused
c) Been hospitalized as an inpatient? ¨ Refused
d) Used a crisis service, including sexual assault crisis, mental
health crisis, family/intimate violence, distress centers and
suicide prevention hotlines?
e) Talked to police because you witnessed a crime, were the victim
of a crime, or the alleged perpetrator of a crime or because the
police told you that you must move along?
f) Stayed one or more nights in a holding cell, jail, prison or juvenile
detention, whether it was a short-term stay like the drunk tank, a longer stay
for a more serious offence, or anything in between?
¨ Refused

¨ Refused

¨ Refused

5. Have you been attacked or beaten up since you’ve become
homeless?
6. Have you threatened to or tried to harm yourself or anyone else
in the last year?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 5
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
OR “SAFE HAVEN”, THEN SCORE 1.

¨ Shelters
¨ Transitional Housing ¨ Outdoors
¨
¨ ¨
¨ Other (specify):

EMERGENCY SERVICE USE.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 55

7. Do you have any legal stuff going on right now that may result in
you being locked up, having to pay fines, or that make it more
difficult to rent a place to live?

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused
8. Were you ever incarcerated when younger than age 18? ¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

9. Does anybody force or trick you to do things that you do not want
to do?
10. Do you ever do things that may be considered to be risky like
exchange sex for money, food, drugs, or a place to stay, run drugs
for someone, have unprotected sex with someone you don’t know,
share a needle, or anything like that?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

C. Socialization & Daily Functioning
11. Is there any person, past landlord, business, bookie, dealer, or
government group like the IRS that thinks you owe them money?
12. Do you get any money from the government, an inheritance, an
allowance, working under the table, a regular job, or anything
like that?

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

13. Do you have planned activities, other than just surviving, that
make you feel happy and fulfilled?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

14. Are you currently able to take care of basic needs like bathing,
changing clothes, using a restroom, getting food and clean water
and other things like that?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 6
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

MANAGEMENT.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 56

15. Is your current lack of stable housing...
a) Because you ran away from your family home, a group
home or a foster home?
b) Because of a difference in religious or cultural beliefs from your
parents, guardians or caregivers?
c) Because your family or friends caused you to become
homeless?
d) Because of conflicts around gender identity or sexual
orientation?

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

e) Because of violence at home between family members? ¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused
f) Because of an unhealthy or abusive relationship, either at home
or elsewhere?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

D. Wellness
16. Have you ever had to leave an apartment, shelter program, or
other place you were staying because of your physical health?
17. Do you have any chronic health issues with your liver, kidneys,
stomach, lungs or heart?
18. If there was space available in a program that specifically assists
people that live with HIV or AIDS, would that be of interest to
you?
19. Do you have any physical disabilities that would limit the type
of housing you could access, or would make it hard to live
independently because you’d need help?
20. When you are sick or not feeling well, do you avoid getting
medical help?
21. Are you currently pregnant, have you ever been pregnant, or have
you ever gotten someone pregnant?

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 7
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 57

22. Has your drinking or drug use led you to being kicked out of an
apartment or program where you were staying in the past?
23. Will drinking or drug use make it difficult for you to stay
housed or afford your housing?
24. If you’ve ever used marijuana, did you ever try it at age 12 or
younger?

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

25. Have you ever had trouble maintaining your housing, or been kicked out of an
apartment, shelter program or other place you were staying, because of:
a) A mental health issue or concern? ¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused
b) A past head injury? ¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused
c) A learning disability, developmental disability, or other
impairment?
26. Do you have any mental health or brain issues that would make it
hard for you to live independently because you’d need help?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

27. Are there any medications that a doctor said you should be
taking that, for whatever reason, you are not taking?
28. Are there any medications like painkillers that you don’t take
the way the doctor prescribed or where you sell the
medication?
¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

¨ Y ¨ N ¨ Refused

Scoring Summary

DOMAIN SUBTOTAL RESULTS
PRE-SURVEY
1
/1
Score: Recommendation:
0-3: no moderate or high intensity
services be provided at this time
4-7: assessment for time-limited sup-
ports with moderate intensity
8+: assessment for long-term hous-
ing with high service intensity
A. HISTORY OF HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS
0
/2
B. RISKS
0
/4
C. SOCIALIZATION & DAILY FUNCTIONS
0 /5
D. WELLNESS
0 /5
GRAND
TOTAL:
1 /17
©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 8
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SCORE 1 FOR TRI-MORBIDITY.

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 58

Follow-Up Questions

On a regular day, where is it easiest to find
you and what time of day is easiest to do
so?
place:
time: : or Night
Is there a phone number and/or email
where someone can get in touch with you or
leave you a message?
phone: ( ) -
email:
Ok, now I’d like to take your picture so that
it is easier to find you and confirm your
identity in the future. May I do so?
¨ Yes ¨ No ¨ Refused
Communities are encouraged to think of additional questions that may be relevant to the programs being operated or your specific local context. This may include questions
related to:
• military service and nature of discharge
• ageing out of care
• mobility issues
• legal status in country
• income and source of it
• current restrictions on where a person can legally reside
• children that may reside with the youth at some point in the future
• safety planning

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 9
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 59

About the TAY-VI-SPDAT
The HEARTH Act and federal regulations require communities to have an assessment tool for coordinated entry - and the VI-SPDAT and SPDAT meet these requirements. Many
communities have struggled to comply with this requirement, which demands an investment of considerable time, resources and exper- tise. Others are making it up as they go
along, using “gut instincts” in lieu of solid evidence. Communities need practical, evidence-informed tools that enhance their ability to to satisfy federal regulations and quickly
implement an effective approach to access and assessment. The VI-SPDAT is a first-of-its-kind tool designed to fill this need, helping communities end homelessness in a quick,
strategic fashion.
The VI-SPDAT
The VI-SPDAT was initially created by combining the elements of the Vulnerability Index which was cre- ated and implemented by Community Solutions broadly in the 100,000
Homes Campaign, and the SPDAT Prescreen Instrument that was part of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool. The combina- tion of these two instruments was
performed through extensive research and development, and testing. The development process included the direct voice of hundreds of persons with lived experience.
The VI-SPDAT examines factors of current vulnerability and future housing stability. It follows the structure of the SPDAT assessment tool, and is informed by the same research
backbone that supports the SPDAT
- almost 300 peer reviewed published journal articles, government reports, clinical and quasi-clinical assessment tools, and large data sets. The SPDAT has been independently
tested, as well as internally reviewed. The data overwhelmingly shows that when the SPDAT is used properly, housing outcomes are better than when no assessment tool is
used.
The VI-SPDAT is a triage tool. It highlights areas of higher acuity, thereby helping to inform the type of support and housing intervention that may be most beneficial to
improve long term housing outcomes. It also helps inform the order - or priority - in which people should be served. The VI-SPDAT does not make decisions; it informs
decisions. The VI-SPDAT provides data that communities, service providers, and people experiencing homelessness can use to help determine the best course of action next.
The Youth – Transition Age Youth Tool from CSH
Released in May 2013, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) partnered with Dr. Eric Rice, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social
Work, to develop a triage tool that targets homeless Transition Age Youth (TAY) for permanent supportive housing. It consists of six items associated with long-term homelessness
(five or more years) among transition-aged youth (age 18-24).
Version 2 of the VI-SPDAT
Version 2 builds upon the success of Version 1 of the VI-SPDAT with some refinements. Starting in August 2014, a survey was launched of existing VI-SPDAT users to get their
input on what should be amended, improved, or maintained in the tool.
Analysis was completed across all of these responses. Further research was conducted. Questions were tested and refined over several months, again including the direct voice of
persons with lived experience and frontline practitioners. Input was also gathered from senior government officials that create policy and programs to help ensure alignment
with guidelines and funding requirements.

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 10
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 60

The TAY-VI-SPDAT – The Next Step Tool for Homeless Youth
One piece of feedback was the growing concern that youth tended to score lower on the VI-SPDAT, since the Vulnerability Index assesses risk of mortality which is less prevalent
among younger populations. So, in version 2 of the VI-SPDAT, OrgCode Consulting, Inc. and Community Solutions joined forces with CSH to combine the best parts of the TAY, the
VI, and the SPDAT to create one streamlined triage tool designed specifically for youth aged 24 or younger.
If you are familiar with the VI-SPDAT, you will notice some differences in the TAY-VI-SPDAT compared to VI-SPDAT version 1. Namely:
• it is shorter, usually taking less than 7 minutes to complete;
• subjective elements through observation are now gone, which means the exact same instrument can be used
over the phone or in-person;
• medical, substance use, and mental health questions are all refined;
• you can now explicitly see which component of the full SPDAT each VI-SPDAT question links to; and,
• the scoring range is slightly different (Don’t worry, we can provide instructions on how these relate to results
from Version 1).

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc., Corporation for Supportive Housing,
Community Solutions, and Eric Rice, USC School of Social Work. All rights reserved. 11
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 61

Appendix B
Youth
Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (Y-
SPDAT)
Assessment Tool for Single Youth

VERSION 1.0

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved.
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

Disclaimer
The management and staff of OrgCode Consulting, Inc. (OrgCode) do not control the way in which the Service
Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) will be used, applied or integrated into related client processes
by communities, agency management or frontline workers. OrgCode assumes no legal responsibility or liability
for the misuse of the SPDAT, decisions that are made or services that are received in conjunction with the
assessment tool.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 62

Welcome to the SPDAT Line of Products
The Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) has been around in various incarnations for over a decade, before being released to the public in 2010. Since its
initial release, the use of the SPDAT has been expanding exponentially and is now used in over one thousand communities across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
More communities using the tool means there is an unprecedented demand for versions of the SPDAT, customized for specific client groups or types of users. With the release
of SPDAT V4, there have been more current versions of SPDAT products than ever before.
VI-SPDAT Series
The Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) was developed as a pre-screening tool for communities that are very busy and do not have
the resources to conduct a full SPDAT assessment for every client. It was made in collaboration with Community Solutions, creators of the Vulnerability Index, as a brief survey
that can be conducted to quickly determine whether a client has high, moderate, or low acuity. The use of this survey can help prioritize which clients should be given a full SPDAT
assessment first. Because it is a self-reported survey, no special training is required to use the VI-SPDAT.
Current versions available:
• VI-SPDAT V 2.0
• Family VI-SPDAT V 2.0
• Next Step Tool for Homeless Youth V 1.0
All versions are available online at
www.orgcode.com/products/vi-spdat/
SPDAT Series
The Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) was developed as an assessment tool for front- line workers at agencies that work with homeless clients to prioritize which
of those clients should receive assistance first. The SPDAT tools are also designed to help guide case management and improve housing stability outcomes. They provide an in-
depth assessment that relies on the assessor’s ability to interpret responses and corroborate those with evidence. As a result, this tool may only be used by those who have received
proper, up-to-date training provided by OrgCode Consulting, Inc. or an OrgCode certified trainer.
Current versions available:
• SPDAT V 4.0 for Individuals
• F-SPDAT V 2.0 for Families
• Y-SPDAT V 1.0 for Youth
Information about all versions is available online at
www.orgcode.com/products/spdat/

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 2
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 63

SPDAT Training Series
To use the SPDAT assessment product, training by OrgCode or an OrgCode certified trainer is required. We provide training on a wide variety of topics over a variety of mediums.
The full-day in-person SPDAT Level 1 training provides you the opportunity to bring together as many people as you want to be trained for one low fee. The webinar training allows
for a maximum of 15 dif- ferent computers to be logged into the training at one time. We also offer online courses for individuals that you can do at your own speed.
The training gives you the manual, case studies, application to current practice, a review of each compo- nent of the tool, conversation guidance with prospective clients – and
more!
Current SPDAT training available:
• Level 0 SPDAT Training: VI-SPDAT for Frontline Workers
• Level 1 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Frontline Workers
• Level 2 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Supervisors
• Level 3 SPDAT Training: SPDAT for Trainers
Other related training available:
• Excellence in Housing-Based Case Management
• Coordinated Access & Common Assessment
• Motivational Interviewing
• Objective-Based Interactions
More information about SPDAT training, including pricing, is available online at
http://www.orgcode.com/product-category/training/spdat/

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 3
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 64

Terms and Conditions Governing the Use of the SPDAT
SPDAT products have been developed by OrgCode Consulting, Inc. with extensive feedback from key com- munity partners including people with lived experience. The tools are
provided free of charge to com- munities to improve the client centered services dedicated to increasing housing stability and wellness. Training is indeed required for the
administration and interpretation of these assessment tools. Use of the SPDAT products without authorized training is strictly prohibited.
By using this tool, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms of this expectation.
No sharing, reproduction, use or duplication of the information herein is permitted without the express written consent of OrgCode Consulting, Inc.
Ownership
The Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (“SPDAT”) and accompanying documentation is owned by OrgCode Consulting, Inc.
Training
Although the SPDAT Series is provided free of charge to communities, training by OrgCode Consulting, Inc. or a third party trainer, authorized by OrgCode, must be successfully
completed. After meeting the training requirements required to administer and interpret the SPDAT Series, practitioners are permitted to implement the SPDAT in their work
with clients.
Restrictions on Use
You may not use or copy the SPDAT prior to successfully completing training on its use, provided by OrgCode Consulting, Inc. or a third-party trainer authorized by OrgCode. You
may not share the SPDAT with other individuals not trained on its use. You may not train others on the use of the SPDAT, unless specifically authorized by OrgCode Consulting,
Inc.
Restrictions on Alteration
You may not modify the SPDAT or create any derivative work of the SPDAT or its accompanying documen- tation, without the express written consent of OrgCode Consulting, Inc.
Derivative works include but are not limited to translations.
Disclaimer
The management and staff of OrgCode Consulting, Inc. (OrgCode) do not control the way in which the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) will be used,
applied or integrated into related client processes by communities, agency management or frontline workers. OrgCode assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the misuse
of the SPDAT, decisions that are made or services that are received in conjunction with the assessment tool.

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 4
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 65

A. Mental Health & Wellness & Cognitive Functioning

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Have you ever had a conversation with a psychiatrist, psy-
chologist, or school counsellor? When was that?
• Do you feel you are getting all the help you might need with
whatever mental health stress you might have?
• Have you ever hurt your brain or head?
• Do you have trouble learning or paying attention?
• Has anyone ever told you you might have ADD or ADHD?
• Was there ever any special testing done to identify learning
disabilities?
• Has any doctor ever prescribed you pills for anxiety, depres-
sion, or anything like that?
• Do you know if, when pregnant with you, your mother did
anything that we now know can have negative effects on the
baby?
• Are there any professionals we could speak with that have
knowledge of your mental health?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ Serious and persistent mental illness (2+ hospitalizations in a mental health facility or
psychiatric ward in the past 2 years) and not in a heightened state of recovery currently
¨ Major barriers to performing tasks and functions of daily living or communicating intent
because of a brain injury, learning disability or developmental disability

3
Any of the following:
¨ Heightened concerns about state of mental health, but fewer than 2 hospitalizations, and/or
without knowledge of presence of a diagnosable mental health condition
¨ Diminished ability to perform tasks and functions of daily living or communicating intent
because of a brain injury, learning disability or developmental disability

2
While there may be concern for overall mental health or mild impairments to
performing tasks and functions of daily living or communicating intent, all of
the following are true:
¨ No major concerns about safety or ability to be housed without inten-
sive supports to assist with mental health or cognitive functioning
¨ No major concerns for the health and safety of others because of
mental health or cognitive functioning ability
¨ No compelling reason for screening by an expert in mental health or
cognitive functioning prior to housing to fully understand capacity
FOR YOUTH
¨ Age 16 or under
and would not
otherwise score
higher

1
¨ In a heightened state of recovery, has a Wellness Recovery Action Plan
(WRAP) or similar plan for promoting wellness, understands symptoms and
strategies for coping with them, and is engaged with mental health sup-
ports as necessary.
¨ Age 17-23 and
would not
otherwise score
higher
0 ¨ Age 24+ and no mental health or cognitive functioning issues disclosed, suspected or observed

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 66

B. Physical Health & Wellness

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• How is your health?
• Do you feel you are getting all the care you need for your
health? When was the last time you saw a doctor? What
was that for?
• Do you have a clinic or doctor that you usually go to?
• Any illness like diabetes, HIV, Hep C or anything like that
going on?
• Do you have any reason to suspect you might be pregnant?
Is that impacting your health in any way? Have you talked
with a doctor about your pregnancy? Are you following the
doctor’s advice?
• Anything going on right now with your health that you think
would prevent you from living a full, healthy, happy life?
• Are there other professionals we could speak with that have
knowledge of your health?

NOTES

Note: In this section, a current pregnancy can be considered a health issue.

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ Co-occurring chronic health conditions
¨ Attempting a treatment protocol for a chronic health condition, but the treatment is not
improving health
¨ Pallative health condition

3
Presence of a health issue with any of the following:
¨ Not connected with professional resources to assist with a real or perceived serious health
issue, by choice
¨ Single chronic or serious health concern but does not connect with professional resources
because of insufficient community resources (e.g. lack of availability or affordability)
¨ Unable to follow the treatment plan as a direct result of homeless status

2
¨ Presence of a relatively minor physical health issue, which is managed and/or cared for with
appropriate professional resources or through informed self-care
¨ Presence of a physical health issue, for which appropriate treatment protocols are followed,
but there is still a moderate impact on their daily living

1
Single chronic or serious health condition, but all of the following are true:
¨ Able to manage the health issue and live a relatively active and healthy life
¨ Connected to appropriate health supports
¨ Educated and informed on how to manage the health issue, take medication as necessary
related to the condition, and consistently follow these requirements.
0
¨ No serious or chronic health condition
¨ If any minor health condition, they are managed appropriately

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 67

C. Medication

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Have you recently been prescribed any medications by a
health care professional?
• Do you take any medications prescribed to you by a doctor?
• Have you ever sold some or all of your prescription?
• Have you ever had a doctor prescribe you medication that
you didn’t have filled at a pharmacy or didn’t take?
• Were any of your medications changed in the last month?
If yes: How did that make you feel?
• Do other people ever steal your medications?
• Do you ever share your medications with other people?
• How do you store your medications and make sure you take
the right medication at the right time each day?
• What do you do if you realize you’ve forgotten to take your
medications?
• Do you have any papers or documents about the medica-
tions you take?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 30 days, started taking a prescription which is having any negative impact on day
to day living, socialization or mood
¨ Shares or sells prescription, but keeps less than is sold or shared
¨ Regularly misuses medication (e.g. frequently forgets; often takes the wrong dosage; uses
some or all of medication to get high)
¨ Has had a medication prescribed in the last 90 days that remains unfilled, for any reason

3
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 30 days, started taking a prescription which is not having any negative impact on
day to day living, socialization or mood
¨ Shares or sells prescription, but keeps more than is sold or shared
¨ Requires intensive assistance to manage or take medication (e.g., assistance organizing in a
pillbox; working with pharmacist to blister-pack; adapting the living environment to be more
conducive to taking medications at the right time for the right purpose, like keeping night-
time medications on the bedside table and morning medications by the coffeemaker)
¨ Medications are stored and distributed by a third-party

2
Any of the following:
¨ Fails to take medication at the appropriate time or appropriate dosage, 1-2 times per week
¨ Self-manages medications except for requiring reminders or assistance for refills
¨ Successfully self-managing medication for fewer than 30 consecutive days
1 ¨ Successfully self-managing medications for more than 30, but less than 180, consecutive days

0
Any of the following:
¨ No medication prescribed to them
¨ Successfully self-managing medication for 181+ consecutive days

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 68

D. Substance Use

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• When was the last time you had a drink or used drugs?
• Is there anything we should keep in mind related to drugs
or alcohol?
• [If they disclose use of drugs and/or alcohol] How frequent-
ly would you say you use [specific substance] in a week?
• Ever get into fights, fall down and bang your head, or pass
out when drinking or using other drugs?
• Have you ever used alcohol or other drugs in a way that
may be considered less than safe?
• Do you ever end up doing things you later regret after you
have gotten really hammered?
• Do you ever drink mouthwash or cooking wine or hand
sanitizer or anything like that?
• Have you engaged with anyone professionally related to
your substance use that we could speak with?

NOTES

Note: Consumption thresholds: 2 drinks per day or 14 total drinks in any one week period for men; 2
drinks per day or 9 total drinks in any one week period for women. “Under legal age” refers to under the
age at which it is legal to purchase and consume the substance in question.

SCORING

4
¨ In a life-threatening health situation as a direct result of substance use,
or,
In the past 30 days, any of the following are true...
¨ Substance use is almost daily (21+ times) and often to the point of
complete inebriation
¨ Binge drinking, non-beverage alcohol use, or inhalant use 4+ times
¨ Substance use resulting in passing out 2+ times
FOR YOUTH
¨ First used drugs
before age 12
¨ Scores a 2-3 and
is under age 15
¨ Scores a 3 and is
under legal age

3
¨ Experiencing serious health impacts as a direct result of substance use,
though not (yet) in a life-threatening position as a result, or,
In the past 30 days, any of the following are true...
¨ Drug use reached the point of complete inebriation 12+ times
¨ Alcohol use usually exceeded the consumption thresholds (at least 5+
times), but usually not to the point of complete inebriation
¨ Binge drinking, non-beverage alcohol use, or inhalant use occurred 1-3
times
¨ First used drugs
aged 12-15
¨ Scores a 1 and is
under age 15
¨ Scores a 2 and is
under legal age

2
In the past 30 days, any of the following are true...
¨ Drug use reached the point of complete inebriation fewer than 12
times
¨ Alcohol use exceeded the consumption thresholds fewer than 5 times
¨ Scores a 1 and is
under legal age
1
¨ In the past 365 days, no alcohol use beyond consumption thresholds, or,
¨ If making claims to sobriety, no substance use in the past 30 days
0 ¨ In the past 365 days, no substance use

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 69

E. Experience of Abuse & Trauma

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

*To avoid re-traumatizing the individual, ask selected ap-
proved questions as written. Do not probe for details of the
trauma/abuse. This section is entirely self-reported.
• “I don’t need you to go into any details, but has there been
any point in your life where you experienced emotional,
physical, sexual or psychological abuse?”
• “Are you currently or have you ever received professional
assistance to address that abuse?”
• “Does the experience of abuse or trauma impact your day to
day living in any way?”
• “Does the experience of abuse or trauma impact your
ability to hold down a job, maintain housing or engage in
meaningful relationships with friends or family?”
• “Have you ever found yourself feeling or acting in a cer- tain
way that you think is caused by a history of abuse or
trauma?”
• “Have you ever become homeless as a direct result of expe-
riencing abuse or trauma?”

NOTES

SCORING
4 ¨ A reported experience of abuse or trauma, believed to be a direct cause of their homelessness

3
¨ The experience of abuse or trauma is not believed to be a direct cause of homelessness, but
abuse or trauma (experienced before, during, or after homelessness) is impacting daily func-
tioning and/or ability to get out of homelessness

2
Any of the following:
¨ A reported experience of abuse or trauma, but is not believed to impact daily functioning
and/or ability to get out of homelessness
¨ Engaged in therapeutic attempts at recovery, but does not consider self to be recovered
1 ¨ A reported experience of abuse or trauma, and considers self to be recovered
0 ¨ No reported experience of abuse or trauma

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 70

F. Risk of Harm to Self or Others

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Do you have thoughts about hurting yourself or anyone else?
Have you ever acted on these thoughts? When was the last
time?
• What was occurring when you had these feelings or took
these actions?
• Have you ever received professional help – including maybe
a stay at hospital – as a result of thinking about or at-
tempting to hurt yourself or others? How long ago was
that? Does that happen often?
• Have you recently left a situation you felt was abusive or
unsafe? How long ago was that?
• Have you been in any fights recently - whether you started
it or someone else did? How long ago was that? How often
do you get into fights?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 90 days, left an abusive situation
¨ In the past 30 days, attempted, threatened, or actually harmed self or others
¨ In the past 30 days, involved in a physical altercation (instigator or participant)

3
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 180 days, left an abusive situation, but no exposure to abuse in the past 90 days
¨ Most recently attempted, threatened, or actually harmed self or others in the past 180 days,
but not in the past 30 days
¨ In the past 365 days, involved in a physical altercation (instigator or participant), but not in
the past 30 days

2
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 365 days, left an abusive situation, but no exposure to abuse in the past 180 days
¨ Most recently attempted, threatened, or actually harmed self or others in the past 365 days,
but not in the past 180 days
¨ 366+ days ago, 4+ involvements in physical alterations
1 ¨ 366+ days ago, 1-3 involvements in physical alterations
0 ¨ Reports no instance of harming self, being harmed, or harming others

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 10
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 71

G. Involvement in High Risk and/or Exploitive Situations

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• [Observe, don’t ask] Any abcesses or track marks from in-
jection substance use?
• Does anybody force or trick you to do something that you
don’t want to do?
• Do you ever do stuff that could be considered dangerous
like drinking until you pass out outside, or delivering drugs
for someone, having sex without a condom with a casual
partner, or anything like that?
• Do you ever find yourself in situations that may be consid-
ered at a high risk for violence?
• Do you ever sleep outside? How do you dress and prepare
for that? Where do you tend to sleep?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 180 days, engaged in 10+ higher risk and/or
exploitive events
¨ In the past 90 days, left an abusive situation
YOUTH PREGNANCY
¨ Under the age of 24, and has
ever become pregnant

3
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 180 days, engaged in 4-9 higher risk and/or
exploitive events
¨ In the past 180 days, left an abusive situation, but not in
the past 90 days
¨ Under the age of 24, and
has ever gotten someone
else pregnant, and wouldn’t
otherwise score a 4

2
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 180 days, engaged in 1-3 higher risk and/or exploitive events
¨ 181+ days ago, left an abusive situation
1
¨ In the past 365 days, any involvement in higher risk and/or exploitive events, but not in the
past 180 days
0 ¨ In the past 365 days, no involvement in higher risk and/or exploitive events

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 11
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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 72

H. Interaction with Emergency Services

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• How often do you go to emergency rooms?
• How many times have you had the police speak to you over
the past 180 days?
• Have you used an ambulance or needed the fire depart-
ment at any time in the past 180 days?
• How many times have you called or visited a crisis team or
a crisis counselor in the last 180 days?
• How many times have you been admitted to hospital in the
last 180 days? How long did you stay?

NOTES

Note: Emergency service use includes: admittance to emergency room/department; hospitalizations;
trips to a hospital in an ambulance; crisis service, distress centers, suicide prevention service, sexual as-
sault crisis service, sex worker crisis service, or similar service; interactions with police for the purpose
of law enforcement; interactions with fire service in emergency situations.

SCORING
4 ¨ In the past 180 days, cumulative total of 10+ interactions with emergency services
3 ¨ In the past 180 days, cumulative total of 4-9 interactions with emergency services
2 ¨ In the past 180 days, cumulative total of 1-3 interactions with emergency services
1
¨ Any interaction with emergency services occurred more than 180 days ago but less than 365
days ago
0 ¨ In the past 365 days, no interaction with emergency services

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 73

I. Legal

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Do you have any “legal stuff” going on?
• Have you had a lawyer assigned to you by a court?
• Do you have any upcoming court dates? Do you think
there’s a chance you will do time?
• Any involvement with family court or child custody matters?
• Any outstanding fines?
• Have you paid any fines in the last 12 months for anything?
• Have you done any community service in the last 12 months?
• Is anybody expecting you to do community service for any-
thing right now?
• Did you have any legal stuff in the last year that got
dismissed?
• Is your housing at risk in any way right now because of
legal issues?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ Current outstanding legal issue(s), likely to result in fines of
$500+
¨ Current outstanding legal issue(s), likely to result in incar-
ceration of 3+ months (cumulatively), inclusive of any time
held on remand
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
¨ The youth is under the
age of 18 and has current
outstanding legal issue(s)
that are likely to result in
incarceration

3
Any of the following:
¨ Current outstanding legal issue(s), likely to result in fines
less than $500
¨ Current outstanding legal issue(s), likely to result in incar-
ceration of less than 90 days (cumulatively), inclusive of any
time held on remand
¨ The youth is under the age
of 24 and was ever incarcer-
ated while still a minor, and
would not otherwise score
a 4

2
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 365 days, relatively minor legal issue has occurred and was resolved through
community service or payment of fine(s)
¨ Currently outstanding relatively minor legal issue that is unlikely to result in incarceration
(but may result in community service)
1
¨ There are no current legal issues, and any legal issues that have historically occurred have
been resolved without community service, payment of fine, or incarceration
0 ¨ Has not had any legal issues within the past 365 days, and currently no conditions of release

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YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 74

J. Managing Tenancy

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Are you currently homeless?
• Have you ever signed a lease? How did that go?
• [If the person is housed] Do you have an eviction notice?
• [If the person is housed] Do you think that your housing is
at risk?
• How is your relationship with your neighbors?
• How do you normally get along with landlords (or your
parents/guardian(s))?
• How have you been doing with taking care of your place?

NOTES

Note: Housing matters include: conflict with landlord and/or neighbors, damages to the unit, payment
of rent on time and in full. Payment of rent through a third party is not considered to be a short-coming
or deficiency in the ability to pay rent.

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ Currently homeless
¨ In the next 30 days, will be re-housed or return to homelessness
¨ In the past 365 days, was re-housed 6+ times
¨ In the past 90 days, support worker(s) have been cumulatively
involved 10+ times with housing matters
RUNAWAYS
¨ In the past 90 days,
ran away from foster
home, group home,
or parent’s home

3
Any of the following:
¨ In the next 60 days, will be re-housed or return to homelessness,
but not in next 30 days
¨ In the past 365 days, was re-housed 3-5 times
¨ In the past 90 days, support worker(s) have been cumulatively
involved 4-9 times with housing matters
¨ In the past 365 days,
ran away from foster
home, group home,
or parent’s home,
but not in the past
90 days

2
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 365 days, was re-housed 2 times
¨ In the past 180 days, was re-housed 1+ times, but not in the past
60 days
¨ For the past 90 days, was continuously housed, but not for more
than 180 days
¨ In the past 90 days, support worker(s) have been cumulatively
involved 1-3 times with housing matters
¨ Ran away from foster
home, group home,
or parent’s home,
but not in the past
365 days

1
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 365 days, was re-housed 1 time
¨ For the past 180 days, was continuously housed, with no assistance with housing matters,
but not for more than 365 days
0
¨ For the past 365+ days, was continuously housed in same unit, with no assistance with housing
matters

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 14
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 75

K. Personal Administration & Money Management

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• How are you with taking care of money?
• How are you with paying bills on time and taking care of
other financial stuff?
• Do you have any street debts?
• Do you have any drug or gambling debts?
• Is there anybody that thinks you owe them money?
• Do you budget every single month for every single thing
you need? Including cigarettes? Booze? Drugs?
• Do you try to pay your rent before paying for anything else?
• Are you behind in any payments like child support or stu-
dent loans or anything like that?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ Cannot create or follow a budget, regardless of supports provided
¨ Does not comprehend financial obligations
¨ Does not have an income (including formal and informal sources)
¨ Not aware of the full amount spent on substances, if they use substances
¨ Substantial real or perceived debts of $1,000+, past due or requiring monthly payments

3
Any of the following:
¨ Requires intensive assistance to create and manage a budget (including any legally man-
dated guardian/trustee that provides assistance or manages access to money)
¨ Only understands their financial obligations with the assistance of a 3rd party
¨ Not budgeting for substance use, if they are a substance user
¨ Real or perceived debts of $999 or less, past due or requiring monthly payments

2
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 365 days, source of income has changed 2+ times
¨ Budgeting to the best of ability (including formal and informal sources), but still short of
money every month for essential needs
¨ Voluntarily receives assistance creating and managing a budget or restricts access to their
own money (e.g. guardian/trusteeship)
¨ Has been self-managing financial resources and taking care of associated administrative
tasks for less than 90 days
1
¨ Has been self-managing financial resources and taking care of associated administrative tasks
for at least 90 days, but for less than 180 days
0
¨ Has been self-managing financial resources and taking care of associated administrative tasks
for at least 180 days

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 15
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 76

L. Social Relationships & Networks

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Tell me about your friends, family and other people in your
life. How often do you get together or chat?
• How do you get along with teachers, doctors, police offi-
cers, case workers, and other professionals?
• Are there any people in your life that you feel are just using
you?
• Are there any of your closer friends that you feel are always
asking you for money, smokes, drugs, food or anything like
that?
• Have you ever had people crash at your place that you did
not want staying there?
• Have you ever been kicked out of where you were living be-
cause of something that friends or family did at your place?
• Have you ever been concerned about not following your
lease agreement because of your friends or family?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 90 days, left an exploitive, abusive or dependent relationship, or left home due
to family violence or conflict over religious or moral differences, including sexual orientation
¨ Friends, family or other people are placing security of housing at imminent risk, or impact-
ing life, wellness, or safety
¨ No friends or family and demonstrates no ability to follow social norms
¨ Currently homeless and would classify most of friends and family as homeless

3
Any of the following:
¨ In the past 90-180 days, left an exploitive, abusive or dependent relationship, or left home
due to family violence or conflict over religious or moral differences
¨ Friends, family or other people are having some negative consequences on wellness or
housing stability
¨ No friends or family but demonstrating ability to follow social norms
¨ Meeting new people with an intention of forming friendships, or reconnecting with previous
friends or family members, but experiencing difficulty advancing the relationship
¨ Currently homeless, and would classify some of friends and family as being housed, while
others are homeless

2
Any of the following:
¨ More than 180 days ago, left an exploitive, abusive or dependent relationship, or left home
due to family violence or conflict over religious or moral differences
¨ Developing relationships with new people but not yet fully trusting them
¨ Currently homeless, and would classify friends and family as being housed
1
¨ Has been housed for less than 180 days, and is engaged with friends or family, who are having
no negative consequences on the individual’s housing stability
0
¨ Has been housed for at least 180 days, and is engaged with friends or family, who are having no
negative consequences on the individual’s housing stability

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 16
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 77

M. Self Care & Daily Living Skills

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• Do you have any worries about taking care of yourself?
• Do you have any concerns about cooking, cleaning, laundry
or anything like that?
• Do you ever need reminders to do things like shower or
clean up?
• Describe your last apartment.
• Do you know how to shop for nutritious food on a budget?
• Do you know how to make low cost meals that can result in
leftovers to freeze or save for another day?
• Do you tend to keep all of your clothes clean?
• Have you ever had a problem with mice or other bugs like
cockroaches as a result of a dirty apartment?
• When you have had a place where you have made a meal,
do you tend to clean up dishes and the like before they get
crusty?

NOTES

SCORING

4
Any of the following:
¨ No insight into how to care for themselves, their apartment or their surroundings
¨ Currently homeless and relies upon others to meet basic needs (e.g. access to shelter, show-
ers, toilet, laundry, food, and/or clothing) on an almost daily basis
¨ Engaged in hoarding or collecting behavior and is not aware that it is an issue in her/his life

3
Any of the following:
¨ Has insight into some areas of how to care for themselves, their apartment or their sur-
roundings, but misses other areas because of lack of insight
¨ In the past 180 days, relied upon others to meet basic needs (e.g. access to shelter, showers,
toilet, laundry, food, and/or clothing), 14+ days in any 30-day period
¨ Engaged in hoarding or collecting behavior and is aware that it is an issue in her/his life

2
Any of the following:
¨ Fully aware and has insight in all that is required to take care of themselves, their apartment
and their surroundings, but has not yet mastered the skills or time management to fully
execute this on a regular basis
¨ In the past 180 days, relied upon others to meet basic needs (e.g. access to shelter, showers,
toilet, laundry, food, and/or clothing), fewer than 14 days in every 30-day period
1
¨ In the past 365 days, accessed community resources 4 or fewer times, and is fully taking care of
all their daily needs
0 ¨ For the past 365+ days, fully taking care of all their daily needs independently

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 17
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 78

N. Meaningful Daily Activity

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• How do you spend your day?
• How do you spend your free time?
• Does that make you feel happy/fulfilled?
• How many days a week would you say you have things to do
that make you feel happy/fulfilled?
• How much time in a week would you say you are totally
bored?
• When you wake up in the morning, do you tend to have an
idea of what you plan to do that day?
• How much time in a week would you say you spend doing
stuff to fill up the time rather than doing things that you
love?
• Are there any things that get in the way of you doing the
sorts of activities you would like to be doing?

NOTES

SCORING

4
¨ No planned, legal activities described as providing
fulfillment or happiness
SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH
¨ Not enrolled in school and with no
planned, legal activities described as
providing fulfillment or happiness

3
¨ Discussing, exploring, signing up for and/or
preparing for new activities or to re-engage with
planned, legal activities that used to provide
fulfillment or happiness
¨ Enrolled in school, but attending class
fewer than 3 days per week

2
¨ Attempting new or re-engaging with planned,
legal activities that used to provide fulfillment or
happiness, but uncertain that activities selected
are currently providing fulfillment or happiness, or
the individual is not fully committed to continuing
the activities.
¨ Enrolled in school, and attending class
3 days per week
1
¨ 1-3 days per week, has planned, legal activities
described as providing fulfillment or happiness
¨ Enrolled in school and attending class 4
days per week
0
¨ 4+ days per week, has planned, legal activities
described as providing fulfillment or happiness
¨ Enrolled in school and maintaining
regular attendance

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 18
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 79

O. History of Homelessness & Housing

PROMPTS

CLIENT SCORE:

• How long have they been homeless?
• How many times have they been homeless in their life other
than this most recent time?
• Have they spent any time sleeping on a friend’s couch or
floor? And if so, during those times did they consider that
to be their permanent address?
• Have they ever spent time sleeping in a car or alleyway or
garage or barn or bus shelter or anything like that?
• Have they ever spent time sleeping in an abandoned
building?
• Were they ever in hospital or jail for a period of time when
they didn’t have a permanent address to go to when they
got out?

NOTES

SCORING
4 ¨ Over the past 10 years, cumulative total of 5+ years of homelessness
3 ¨ Over the past 10 years, cumulative total of 2+ years but fewer than 5 years of homelessness
2 ¨ Over the past 4 years, cumulative total of 30+ days but fewer than 2 years of homelessness
1 ¨ Over the past 4 years, cumulative total of 7+ days but fewer than 30 days of homelessness
0 ¨ Over the past 4 years, cumulative total of 7 or fewer days of homelessness

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 19
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 80

Client: Worker: Version: Date:

COMPONENT SCORE COMMENTS
MENTAL HEALTH &
WELLNESS AND
COGNITIVE
FUNCTIONING

PHYSICAL HEALTH &
WELLNESS

MEDICATION

SUBSTANCE USE

EXPERIENCE OF ABUSE AND/
OR TRAUMA

RISK OF HARM TO SELF
OR OTHERS

INVOLVEMENT IN HIGH
RISK AND/OR EXPLOITIVE
SITUATIONS

INTERACTION WITH
EMERGENCY SERVICES

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 20
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 81

Client: Worker: Version: Date:

COMPONENT SCORE COMMENTS

LEGAL INVOLVEMENT

MANAGING TENANCY

PERSONAL
ADMINISTRATION & MONEY
MANAGEMENT

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS &
NETWORKS

SELF-CARE & DAILY LIVING
SKILLS

MEANINGFUL DAILY
ACTIVITIES

HISTORY OF HOUSING
& HOMELESSNESS

TOTAL

Score: Recommendation:
0-19: No housing intervention 20-34: Rapid Re-
Housing
35-60: Permanent Supportive Housing/Housing First

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 21
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE 82

About the SPDAT
OrgCode Consulting, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 4 of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT). Since its release in 2010, the SPDAT
has been used with over 10,000 unique individuals in over 100 communities across North America and in select locations around the world.
Originally designed as a tool to help prioritize housing services for homeless individuals based upon their acuity, the SPDAT has been successfully adapted to other fields of
practice, including: discharge plan- ning from hospitals, work with youth, survivors of domestic violence, health research, planning supports for consumer survivors of
psychiatric care systems, and in work supporting people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. We are encouraged that so many service providers and communities are
expanding the use of this tool, and OrgCode will continue to support the innovative use of the SPDAT to meet local needs.
SPDAT Design
The SPDAT is designed to:
• Help prioritize which clients should receive what type of housing assistance intervention, and assist in
determining the intensity of case management services
• Prioritize the sequence of clients receiving those services
• Help prioritize the time and resources of Frontline Workers
• Allow Team Leaders and program supervisors to better match client needs to the strengths of specific Frontline
Workers on their team
• Assist Team Leaders and program supervisors to support Frontline Workers and establish service priori- ties
across their team
• Provide assistance with case planning and encourage reflection on the prioritization of different ele- ments
within a case plan
• Track the depth of need and service responses to clients over time The
SPDAT is NOT designed to:
• Provide a diagnosis
• Assess current risk or be a predictive index for future risk
• Take the place of other valid and reliable instruments used in clinical research and care
The SPDAT is only used with those clients who meet program eligibility criteria. For example, if there is an eligibility criterion that requires prospective clients to be homeless
at time of intake to be eligible for Housing First, then the pre-condition must be met before pursuing the application of the SPDAT. For that reason, we have also created the VI-
SPDAT as an initial screening tool.
The SPDAT is not intended to replace clinical expertise or clinical assessment tools. The tool complements existing clinical approaches by incorporating a wide array of components
that provide both a global and detailed picture of a client’s acuity. Certain components of the SPDAT relate to clinical concerns, and it is expected that intake professionals and
clinicians will work together to ensure the accurate assessment of these issues. In fact, many organizations and communities have found the SPDAT to be a useful method for
bridging the gap between housing, social services and clinical services.

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 22
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

Version 4
The SPDAT has been influenced by the experience of practitioners in its use, persons with lived experience that have had the SPDAT implemented with them, as well as a number of other excellent tools such as (but
not limited to) the Outcome Star, Health of the Nation Outcome Scale, Denver Acuity Scale, Camberwell Assessment of Needs, Vulnerability Index, and Transition Aged Youth Triage Tool.
In preparing SPDAT v4, we have adopted a comprehensive and collaborative approach to changing and improving the SPDAT. Communities that have used the tool for three months or more have provided us
with their feedback. OrgCode staff have observed the tool in operation to better understand its imple- mentation in the field. An independent committee composed of service practitioners and academics review
enhancements to the SPDAT. Furthermore, we continue to test the validity of SPDAT results through the use of control groups. Overall, we consistently see that groups assessed with the SPDAT have better
long-term housing and life stability outcomes than those assessed with other tools, or no tools at all.
OrgCode intends to continue working with communities and persons with lived experience to make future versions of the SPDAT even better. We hope all those communities and agencies that choose to use this
tool will remain committed to collaborating with us to make those improvements over time.
Version 4 builds upon the success of Version 3 of the SPDAT with some refinements. Starting in August 2014, a survey was launched of existing SPDAT users to get their input on what should be amended,
im- proved, or maintained in the tool. Analysis was completed across all of these responses. Further research was conducted. Questions were tested and refined over several months, again including the direct
voice of persons with lived experience and frontline practitioners. Input was also gathered from senior govern- ment officials that create policy and programs to help ensure alignment with guidelines and
funding requirements.
The major differences from Version 3 to Version 4 include:
• The structure of the tools is the same: four domains (five for families) with components aligned to specific domains. The names of
the domains and the components remain unchanged.
• The scoring of the tools is the same: 60 points for singles, and 80 points for families.
• The scoring tables used to run from 0 through to 4. They are now reversed with each table starting at 4 and working their way down
to 0. This increases the speed of assessment.
• The order of the tools has changed, grouped together by domain.
• Language has been simplified.
• Days are used rather than months to provide greater clarification and alignment to how most databases capture periods of time in
service.
• Greater specificity has been provided in some components such as amount of debts.
Youth SPDAT
To complement the launch of the Next Step Tool, OrgCode has also created a modified version of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) for use specifically with youth.
The Youth SPDAT was developed based on feedback from many communities using the SPDAT who identi- fied the need for a complete assessment tool that emphasized the unique issues faced by homeless
youth.

©2015 OrgCode Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. 23
1 (800) 355-0420 info@orgcode.com www.orgcode.com

84

85

Appendix D

Welcome to CaseyLifeSkills.org (the “Website”). This Privacy Policy is designed to assist you in understanding how Casey Family Programs (“Casey”, “we”, “us”, or
“our”) treats the information provided by you or collected from your use of the Website. We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time, in which case, the revised
Privacy Policy will be applicable from the date posted on the Website.
By using the Website, you are accepting the practices described in this privacy policy, where permitted by applicable law.
What Information Do We Collect?
We collect, process, and retain, information you voluntarily provide, as well as collect information from and any devices you use to interact with the Website, in different
ways:
1. Personal Information You Choose to Provide
Account Information. When you register for this Website you provide personally identifiable information (PII) about yourself, such as name, email address, and a unique
identifier you choose.
Assessments. When you register for and take an assessment for yourself or a youth, you provide us PII about yourself or the youth who is being assessed. This PII includes
name, date of birth, email, and race/ethnicity of the person being assessed. In addition, the site records responses to questions asked during the assessment. The responses
are retained for 2 years, after which they are automatically deleted.
Email Information. If you communicate with us through the email address provided on the Website, Casey may retain the content of any of your electronic messages,
together with your contact information.
2. Information We Collect Automatically
Website Use Information. When you visit the Website, the IP addresses used to access the site are recorded. Similar to other websites, CaseyLifeSkills. org utilizes a
standard technology called “cookies” in order to use the website. If you have chosen to identify yourself to us, we may place on your browser a cookie that allows us to
uniquely identify you when you are logged into the website and to process your online requests. When visiting the Website, logs are generated that may include the date
and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at the Website, and the websites visited just before and just after our Website. This information may be used to understand
how the Website is being used and to troubleshoot technical issues.
What Are Cookies? A cookie is a very small text document or file, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier. When a user visits a website, that website’s
technology asks the user’s computer for permission to store this file in a part of the user’s hard drive specifically designated for cookies. Each website can send its own
cookie to the user’s browser if the users browser’s preferences allow it, but (to protect the users privacy) the user’s browser only permits a Website to access the cookies
it has already sent to you, not the cookies sent to you by other sites.
How Is Information Collected Used by Casey?
We may use the information received and collected from you as follows:

To Communicate. We use the information that you provide to respond to your questions, send you information, and send you email messages about Website
maintenance and updates, and inform you of significant changes to this Privacy Policy.
To Improve our Website. Log files allow Casey to calculate the aggregate number of people visiting the Website and which parts of the Website are most popular. This
helps Casey gather feedback in order to constantly improve the Website and better serve you.
To Improve our Services. The data and information you supply on any electronic form, paper form, application or request for information may be de- identified
and aggregated for research and analysis, so that Casey can improve its services.
Do we share your Information?
We may share your information in the following ways:

Government Authorities, Legal Rights and Actions. We may share your information with various government authorities in response to subpoenas, court orders, or
other legal processes; to establish or exercise our legal rights or to protect our property; to defend against legal claims; or as otherwise required by law. In such cases we
reserve the right to raise or waive any legal objection or right available to us. We also may share your information when we believe it is appropriate to investigate, prevent,
or take action regarding illegal or suspected illegal activities; to protect and defend the rights, property, or safety of Casey, the Website, our users, clients, or others; and in
connection with our Terms of Use and other agreements.
Disclosure to Contractors. Our technology consultants and vendors sometimes have limited access to your information in the course of providing products or services to
us. These contractors may include vendors and suppliers that provide us with technology, services, and/or content related to the operation and maintenance of the Website.
Casey enters into confidentiality agreements with its technology consultants and vendors. Moreover, access to your information by these contractors is limited to the
information reasonably necessary for the consultant to perform its limited function for us.
Communicating With Third Parties
You may communicate with third parties on the Website at your own risk. Casey does not control, and is not responsible for the actions of other users or third parties
with whom you may choose to share information.
Casey encourages you to be aware when leaving the Website and to read the privacy statements of third party websites. This Privacy Policy applies solely to information
collected on this Website.
Security Disclaimer
While Casey strives to maintain a Website that safeguards information and enhances your use; electronic communications over the internet, whether via e-mail or
otherwise, are not secure and your privacy cannot be guaranteed. CASEY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY HARM, DAMAGE OR
OTHER INJURY THAT YOU MAY EXPERIENCE OR INCUR BY USING THIS WEBSITE.
Unsubscribing from Email Lists
To unsubscribe from CaseyLifeSkills.org email lists, simply click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email from Casey.
How to Contact Us
To contact us with questions or concerns or if you would like to update any of your information, you can send an email to cls@casey.org.
YOUTH HOMELESS POLICY CHANGE

Welcome to CaseyLifeSkills.org (“Website”). Your access and use
of this Website (including the Content, functionality and services
offered through the Website) is governed by these Terms of Use
(“Terms”), which forms a legally binding contract between you and
Casey Family Programs (“Casey”, “we”, “us”, “our”). Please read
these terms carefully before you use the Website. By using the
Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
We may change these Terms, Content, and services offered
through the Website from time to time, in which case we will post
the revised Terms of Use on the Website. By continuing to use
the Website after any such changes are posted, you accept the
Terms of Use, as modified.
Access to Website
You may be required to provide registration details or provide
certain information, such as your name or email address, to
access certain Website features and functionality, including
functionality that permits you to complete assessments. All
information you provide to create an account on the Website
must be accurate, current and complete. You understand that any
information you provide will be treated by Casey in the manner
described in our Privacy Policy. We reserve the right to decline to
provide services and access to this Website to any person for any
or no reason.
You are responsible for keeping your user name, password, or
other security credentials confidential and secure. You agree
not to provide any other person with access to this Website or
portions of it using your user name, password or other security
information. You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized
access to or use of your user name or password or any other
breach of security. You also agree to ensure that you exit from
your account at the end of each session. You should use
particular caution when accessing your account from a public or
shared computer so that others are not able to view or record
your password or other personal information.
Other Referenced Organizations
Reference and links to other organizations on the Website does
not indicate the existence of a legal partnership, joint agency
or other relationship indicating or involving shared ownership
or shared liability between Casey and such other organization.
Neither Casey nor the other referenced organizations have any
authority to assume or create any obligation on behalf of the other
party. Reference or links to other organizations or their websites
also does not indicate Casey’s endorsement or approval of such
organizations, their websites, or their services. Your use of these
third-party websites or services is subject to the terms of use
established between you and that organization.
Intellectual Property Ownership
As used in the Terms, “Content” or “materials” includes, but
is not limited to, any forms of text, images, video, graphics,
software code, multimedia files, design, photographs, illustrations,
animations, audio, and audio visual material, art, proprietary
information, data, databases, service marks, trademarks,
distinctive identification such as logos, the selection sequence,
“look and feel” and arrangement of items.
This Website contains Content that is owned by Casey or its
licensors. The Content is protected by applicable U.S. federal and
state copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property
laws and regulations.
Except as set forth in this Agreement, you must (i) not delete or
alter any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights notices
from copies of Content from this Website; (ii) provide attribution
to Casey for any Content from this Website, and (iii) if possible,
provide a reference to the Website.
You understand and agree that you will not reproduce, modify,
display, transfer, distribute, publish or republish the Content, and
that you will take all reasonable steps to prevent any unauthorized
reproduction and/or use of the Content. You may not use the
Content and services available through it for any for-profit or
commercial activities or for resale or political campaign. You agree
to advise Casey promptly of such unauthorized use(s) of which
you are aware.
Notwithstanding the above, you may (i) view and print a
reasonable number of copies of the Content for non-commercial
use, (ii) temporarily store copies of the Website materials in RAM
incidental to your accessing and viewing the Content, and (iii)
store filed that are automatically cached by your Web browser for
display enhancement purposes.
License to Casey
When you post a message, upload a file, or otherwise provide
us with content or material for display on the Website, you
are granting Casey a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive,
unrestricted, worldwide license to:
1. Use, copy, sublicense, adapt, transmit, publicly perform or
display any such communication and content; and
2. Sublicense to third parties the unrestricted right to exercise any
of the foregoing rights granted with respect to the
communication and content.
The foregoing grants shall include the right to exploit any
proprietary rights in such communication, including but not limited
to rights under copyright, trademark, service mark or patent laws
under any relevant jurisdiction. By providing content or materials
to CaseyLifeSkills.org, you hereby represent and warrant that the
content or materials and any use of said content or materials on
the Website and/or by Casey does not infringe upon any third
(3rd) party rights. Furthermore, you hereby agree to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Casey for all losses, damages, claims,
actions, and costs (including attorneys’ fees) caused by or arising
from use of such content or materials in any way connected
to the Website or use by Casey. The terms, conditions and
warranties contained in this section shall survive the modification,
expiration or termination of the Terms of Use.
Disclaimer
THE CONTENT AND MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE
PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY
KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMISSIBLE AND PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE
LAW, CASEY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
CASEY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS WEBSITE OR ANY
OF ITS FUNCTIONS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-
FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THIS
WEBSITE, INCLUDING BULLETIN BOARDS OR ANY OTHER
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS RELATED TO THIS WEBSITE,
OR THE SERVERS THAT MAKE IT AVAILABLE, ARE FREE
OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. CASEY
DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS
REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE
CONTENT OR MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE OR IN THIRD-
PARTY WEBSITES IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS,
ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, RELIABILITY OR OTHERWISE.
Data Collection & Reports
The data and information you supply on the Website may be
collected and tabulated for statistical and reporting purposes,
and those results may be provided to other organizations or
individuals. Individuals will not be identified in those results.
No representation is made or any warranty given (either express
or implied) as to the completeness or accuracy of the data
or reports and of the contents contained therein. It is your
responsibility to verify information and satisfy himself/herself
before acting upon it. Any action taken based on the data and
reports is entirely made at your sole discretion and risk at the
own risk.
Website Linking & Use Requirements
You may not link or reference this Website on any other website,
social media post, online platforms, in any way that suggests
that Casey is affiliated with or endorses or recommends you/your
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casey family programs

Daily Living
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I know where to go to get on the Internet.

I can find what I need on the Internet.

I know how to use my email account.

I can create, save, print and send
computer documents.

I know the risks of meeting someone in person
that I met online.

I would not post pictures or messages if I thought
it would hurt someone's feelings.

If someone sent me messages online that made
me feel bad or scared, I would know what to do
or who to tell.

I know at least one adult, other than my worker,
who would take my call in the middle of the night
if I had an emergency.

An adult I trust, other than my worker, checks in
with me regularly.

When I shop for food, I take a list and I
compare prices.

I can make meals with or without using a recipe.

I think about what I eat and how it impacts
my health.

I understand how to read food product labels
to see how much fat, sugar, salt, and calories
the food has.

I know how to do my own laundry.

I keep my living space clean.

I know the products to use when cleaning the
bathroom and kitchen.

I know how to use a fire extinguisher.

Self Care
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I can take care of my own minor injuries
and illnesses.

I can get medical and dental care when I need it.

I know how to make my own medical and
dental appointments.

I know when I should go to the emergency room
instead of the doctor’s office.

I know my family medical history.

I know how to get health insurance when
I am older than 18.

I have at least one trusted adult who would visit
me if I were in the hospital.

There is at least one adult I trust who would be
legally allowed to make medical decisions for
me and advocate for me if I was unable to
speak for myself.

I know how to get the benefits I am eligible for,
such as Social Security, Medicaid, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and
Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).

I bathe (wash up) daily.

I brush my teeth daily.

I know how to get myself away from
harmful situations.

I have a place to go when I feel unsafe.

I can turn down a sexual advance.

I know ways to protect myself from sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs).

I know how to prevent getting pregnant
or getting someone else pregnant.

I know where to go to get information
on sex or pregnancy.

Relationships and Communication
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I can speak up for myself.

I know how to act in social or
professional situations.

I know how to show respect to people with
different beliefs, opinions, and cultures.

I can describe my racial and ethnic identity.

I can explain the difference between sexual
orientation and gender identity.

I have friends I like to be with who help me feel
valued and worthwhile.

I am a part of a family and we care about
each other.

I can get in touch with at least one family member
when I want to.

I have friends or family to spend time with on
holidays and special occasions.

I know at least one adult I can depend on when
I exit care.

I know an adult who could be a grandparent, aunt
or uncle to my children now or my future children.

My relationships are free from hitting, slapping,
shoving, being made fun of, or name calling.

I know the signs of an abusive relationship.

I know what my legal permanency goal is.

I have information about my family members.

I think about how my choices impact others.

I can deal with anger without hurting others or
damaging things.

I show others that I care about them.

Housing & Money Management
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I understand how interest rates work on loans or
credit purchases.

I understand the disadvantages of making
purchases with my credit card.

I know the importance of a good credit score.

I know how to balance my bank account.

I put money in my savings account when I can.

I know an adult who would help me if I had a
financial emergency.

I use online banking to keep track of my money.

I know the advantages and disadvantages of
using a check cashing or payday loan store.

I know how to find safe and affordable housing.

I can figure out the costs to move to a new place,
such as deposits, rents, utilities, and furniture.

I know how to fill out an apartment rental
application.

I know how to get emergency help to pay for
water, electricity, and gas bills.

I know what can happen if I break my
rental lease.

I can explain why people need renter’s or
homeowner’s insurance.

I know an adult I could live with for a few days or
weeks if I needed to.

There is at least one adult that I have regular
contact with, other than my case manager
or other professional, who lives in stable and
safe housing.

I know an adult I can go to for financial advice.

Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I plan for the expenses that I must pay
each month.

I keep records of the money I am paid and the
bills I pay.

I know what happens in my state if I am caught
driving without car insurance or a driver’s license.

I can explain how to get and renew a driver’s
license or state ID card.

I can figure out all the costs of car ownership,
such as registration, repairs, insurance, and gas.

I know how to use public transportation to get
where I need to go.

Work and Study Life

Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I know how to develop a resume.

I know how to fill out a job application.

I know how to prepare for a job interview.

I know what the information on a pay
stub means.

I can fill out a W-4 payroll exemption form when
I get a job.

I know what employee benefits are.

I know what sexual harassment and
discrimination are.

I know the reasons why my personal contacts are
important for finding a job.

I know how to get the documents I need for
work, such as my Social Security card and
birth certificate.

Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I know how and when I can see my child welfare
or juvenile justice records.

I know an adult who will go with me if I need to
change schools.

I know how to get help from my school’s mental
health services.

I know where I can get help with an income
tax form.

I have an adult in my life who cares about how I
am doing at school or work.

I can take criticism and direction at school or
work without losing my temper.

I know how to prepare for exams and/or
presentations.

I know where I can get tutoring or other help with
school work.

I look over my work for mistakes.

I get to school or work on time.

I get my work done and turned in on time.

Career and Education Planning
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I know how to find work-related internships.

I know where to find information about
job training.

I can explain the benefits of doing volunteer work.

I have recently talked to an adult who works in a
job I would like to have.

Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I know what type (college, trade school)
education I need for the work I want to do.

I know how to get into the school, training, or job
I want after high school.

I know how to find financial aid to help pay for my
education or training.

I have talked about my education plans with an
adult who cares about me.

I know an adult who will help me apply for training
or education after high school.

Looking Forward
Are the following statements like me No Mostly No Somewhat Mostly Yes Yes
I believe I can influence how my life will turn out.

I can describe my vision for myself as a
successful adult.

I have a good relationship with a trusted adult I
like and respect.

I would like to use my experience to help
other youth.

I believe my relationships with others will help
me succeed.

I feel I am ready for the next phase of my life.

Most days, I am proud of the way I am living
my life.

Most days, I feel I have control of how my life
will turn out.

Abstract (if available)

Linked assets

University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

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Asset Metadata

Creator Valentine, Romunda (author)

Core Title Youth homelessness policy change

School Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Degree Doctor of Social Work

Degree Program Social Work

Degree Conferral Date 2021-12

Publication Date 05/19/2022

Defense Date 11/23/2021

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag minors,OAI-PMH Harvest,policy change,youth homelessness

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Fatouros, Cassandra (committee member), James, Jane (committee member), Lewis, Jennifer (committee member)

Creator Email rorovalentine@outlook.com,rorovalentine@yahoo.com

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC111333312

Unique identifier UC111333312

Document Type Capstone project

Rights Valentine, Romunda

Internet Media Type application/pdf

Type texts

Source 20220523-usctheses-batch-943 (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright. The original signature page accompanying the original submission of the work to the USC Libraries is retained by the USC Libraries and a copy of it may be obtained by authorized requesters contacting the repository e-mail address given.

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA

Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu