Report highlights results, learnings and next steps for 100-Day Challenge to end youth homelessness

Tuesday, March 07, 2017

Tags: Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland , Foundations

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A Way Home America recently released a brief report highlighting the results, learnings and next steps from the 100-Day Challenge to prevent and end youth homelessness.

In partnership with the Rapid Results Institute, A Way Home America launched the 100-Day Challenge last September in three communities: Cleveland, Austin and Los Angeles. The Cleveland team was led by A Place 4 Me—a collaborative initiative to prevent and end youth homelessness in Cuyahoga County. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, which is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, is a steering committee member of A Place 4 Me. The Cleveland team successfully met the challenge by housing 105 homeless young adults. In the three communities, a total of 428 young adults moved in to housing.

Below is the summary of Cleveland results, concrete changes and an overview of next steps for all three communities. The complete report can be accessed at the link at the bottom of this post. 

The Cleveland Team’s Ambitious Goal
In 100 days, we will house 100 literally homeless youth (18-24 years old) with a special focus on those with Department of Children and Family Services involvement. Furthermore, we will strengthen the systems that we have, so that as of day 66 and forever more, no youth will age out into homelessness in Cleveland/Cuyahoga County.

The Cleveland Team’s Results

• 105 youth housed, primarily through family and friends and rapid-rehousing
• Youth aging out of foster care during this period have rock-solid housing plans to prevent homelessness
• 8 foster youth presented to case review for termination
• 5 foster youth referred back to social worker for more robust housing plan after review
• 75% youth removals from custody being deferred pending robust housing plans

Concrete Changes across All Three 100-Day Challenge Communities
Consistent process for quickly housing young people experiencing homelessness: All three communities established an accurate by-name list of youth currently experiencing homelessness, implemented a universal assessment tool, ramped up coordinated entry systems and established community case conferencing meetings to quickly house young people.

Improved use of data and coordination: All three communities shared data across system stakeholders, including the use of HMIS. New system-wide mechanisms now track the number of youth who are housed and the long-term success of housing destinations.

Authentic youth engagement: All three communities explored different strategies to ensure youth informed practices and policies, including the creation of and coordination with Youth Advisory Councils.

Stronger system relationships, efficiencies and improvements: Housing Programs streamlined intake procedures to meet the rapid pace; “navigator” roles were created to work hand-in-hand with every youth on the by-name list; child welfare agencies enhanced processes to identify at-risk youth and strengthen support.

Innovative solutions to support safe and stable housing: Austin expanded its use of shared rental situations to more quickly house youth, strengthening relationships with landlords and using flexible rental assistance. Cleveland and Los Angeles supported housing retention, providing services to youth and property managers. Cleveland and Austin helped strengthen family supports to quickly move young adults into safe and stable housing.

Beyond 100 Days
After the 100-day journey, the teams began a two-month consolidation phase in which the team and sponsors work with other system leaders to embed the gains made. In addition to systematizing the changes, the work over the first 100-days also shone light on issues that will need to be tackled in order to complete the job.

The Report
Click on the link to access the full report: 100 Day Challenge Results Overview 2.20.17.pdf (913.90 kb)