4.7 Sam Cobbs

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH: WHAT WORKS?
Presentation to NAEH Conference
JULY 13th, 2011
Sam Cobbs, Chief Executive Officer

First Place was founded in 1998 to end poverty and homelessness among transition age youth (age16-24)
Homeless youth are
18 times more likely to use serious
drugs than their non-homeless
counterparts
2-3 times more likely to be raped or
assaulted
11 times more likely to experience
mental health challenges
The Problem

For youth transitioning from foster care, we know that
65 percent face
imminent homelessness
20 percent will be arrested
or incarcerated
Only 3 percent will graduate
from college
The Problem (cont.)

A continuum of transitional support services for youth ages
16-24 that includes:
Access to permanent, safe affordable housing with a transitional rental subsidy
Employment training, employment
case management, and job
development
Education assessment and
academic support
Adult guidance, emotional support
and positive peer relationships
The Solution

A Brief History

My First Place Service Model
Housing
Scattered site, master lease, permanent
Graduated rental subsidy
Move-in assistance
Strategic partnerships with developers
Separate property management arm
Education & Employment
EE Specialists:
one-on-one
EE Manager: develops partnerships with employers
“Next Generation” EE services
Connections
Weekly check-ins with mobile Youth Advocate
Case loads ≤ 15
Healthy connections with family, friends and others
Cohort model
LONG TERM GOALS: 1) 2 years of PSE 2)Living wage employment 3) Permanent housing 4) Avoidance of risky behaviors, such as incarceration or early pregnancy

My First Place Intake Process
Eligibility/ Orientation
Age 18-23
In foster care at 18
Probation placement at 18
Shelter stay within 2 yrs
Assessment
Screens for risk factors such as homeless, no GED, disconnected
Prioritize highest risk youth for services
Step it Up
Complete 2 week economic literacy training
Budgeting, goal setting, circles of support, CASAS exam
Must complete or can come to next class
Waitlist
Youth moved in housing as it becomes available
Single youth replace single youth, parents replace parents
PRIORITY TO HIGHEST RISK YOUTH

Housing Options

Measures of Success

Funding Sources

Lessons LearnedHousing Model
Housing first, with a focus on permanent housing, allows for emphasis on education, employment and other interpersonal gains
Scattered site housing works for many populations: youth with a range of mental health issues, probation youth, parents, singles, etc. when services are individualized
Scattered site model allows quick start up in new communities- we had 30 youth housed in Los Angeles 8 months after starting a program there
Can be funded by range of sources: HPRP, HUD-SHP, THP+, etc. Fits “rapid rehousing” and “transition in place” models

Lessons LearnedProgram/Service Design
Basing work in positive youth development allows for meeting youth where they are at and building on success
Harm reduction approach, where focus is on consequences of negative behaviors instead of the behavior itself allows for more honesty with Advocate and creative solutions. Also keeps youth in program longer (ie statewide THP+ study found that involuntary exits among all providers is 45%, due largely to zero tolerance policies. By contrast, First Place’s involuntary exit rate is 20%.)
To create real-world housing experience (signing leases, receiving notices, etc.) program must separate property management function from case management
Rent collection and rent rates tied to actual rent, as opposed to income, an important teaching and empowerment tool
Key to success are intensive services and staff support
Staff ratio is 1:10 for MFP youth
Strong partnership between EE Specialist and Youth Advocate is lynch-pin
Staffing/Service budget comprises 50% of program expenses

Lessons LearnedPolicy and Evaluation
Significant investments in data tracking and analysis lends to continual improvement of program, strong performance management, and evidence for funding support
Sustained policy/advocacy work critical for ensuring public funding streams are available and appropriate for supporting youth programs
Federal Fostering Connections to Success Act provides opportunity for new funding to support youth to the age of 21

4.7 Sam Cobbs

by National Alliance to End Homelessness

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