Santa Clara Countys Homeless Youth Homeless Youth in San Jose San - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Santa Clara County’s Homeless Youth

Homeless Youth in San Jose  San Jose has the 4 th largest unsheltered homeless population in the nation  It includes approximately 1,000 homeless youth , some parenting small children, most former foster youth  Almost 750 homeless youth accessed BWC’s Drop In Center for basic services  Over 400 accessed the Drop In Center’s comprehensive services  30% college students unstably housed & food insecurities  30% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ  Majority are youth of color 2

Causes of Youth Homeless Family Problems Economic Problems Residential Instability 3

Youth Homelessness  Suicide is the leading cause of death among street youth – 32% have attempted suicide  40% have drug/alcohol problems  61.8% report mental health problems  71.7% reported experiencing major trauma  75% of homeless youth have dropped out of school  95% report being sexually active  More than 1/3 engage in survival sex  50% have had a pregnancy experience 4

Homeless Youth Street Culture  Sex Trafficked Youth  Gang-Impacted Youth  LGBTQ Youth  Runaway Youth  Immigrant Youth  Street Youth  College-bound youth 5

Bill Wilson Center’s vision is to end youth and young family homelessness by 2020 6

Behavioral Health and Homeless Youth What Works Challenges  Youth-friendly setting and activities  Homeless youth are transient  Non-institutional setting  Many are in survival mode  Trained staff in street culture, LGBTQ  Most distrust “systems” culture, gang culture, ethnic  Many deny mental health issues cultures, and trained in CSEC  Many self-medicate  Peer staff in outreach and in direct  Majority have no personal or legal service documents (ID’s, birth certificates)  Co-located services  Some fear deportation  Scheduled and “drop - in”  Many have no insurance or even appointments Medi-cal  Knowledgeable psychiatrist regarding  Some have experienced street drugs and prescription drugs harassment and rejection from  Harm reduction approach medical/mental health services 7

Services for Homeless Youth and Young Families  Outreach  Basic Needs – Drop In Center  Comprehensive Services – DIC > Mental Health Services > Medical Care > Employment Training & Placement > Education Services > Substance Abuse Treatment > Health Workshops > Life Skills Workshops > Document Retrieval > Parenting Classes > Access to Housing > Family Acceptance Project 8

Family Acceptance Project (FAP) LGBTQ Homeless Youth  Major reason why LGBTQ youth are homeless is due to family rejection  FAP demonstrates how the negative impact family rejection can have on LGBTQ youth  Shows the importance of involving parents, teaching them how acceptance of their LGBTQ child impacts their lives  Even the smallest indication of support makes a difference  Importance of “re - connecting” homeless LGBTQ youth with family 9

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Offers a continuum of care and services for youth and young families in transition Helps youth develop successful self-sufficiency skills We don’t give up on youth 11

Thank You!! For further information and a tour of BWC programs, please contact: Lorraine Flores, LMFT Senior Director of Program Development and Impact 408 850-6131 Lflores@bwcmail.org www.BillWilsonCenter.org 12