Wednesday, Nov. 11 - National Safe Place Network

Transcription

November 10 - 12, 2015
New Orleans, LA
Dear Runaway and Homeless Youth Partners:
3 Federal Letter.pdf 1 10/16/2014 6:04:06 PM
Welcome to the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s (FYSB’s) eighth Runaway and Homeless Youth
Conference in beautiful New Orleans.
As a FYSB grantee partner, you already know about the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program’s
potential to change young people’s lives. You see—and make possible—the program’s impact every day.
We want more people around the country to know about the difference you make, so we’ve been busy
370 L’Enfant Promenade,
S.W.,
Washington, DC 20447and
www.acf.hhs.gov
this year strengthening partnerships to raise awareness
of youth
homelessness
the important work
you are doing.
Dear Runaway and Homeless Youth Partners:
At last year’s conference, many
ofdelighted
you watched
” the
documentary
film
following
I am
to welcome“The
you toHomestretch,
the Family and Youth
Services
Bureau’s (FYSB)
seventh
Runaway
and Homeless
three Chicago homeless youth.
This spring
andYouth
fall, Conference.
we have continued to help promote the film and its
It has been anof
auspicious
for FYSB.
We’ve
marked
the anniversary
two pieces ofshelter and
inspiring message about the resilience
youngyear
people
and
the
impact
of adultsof offering
legislation that underpin our work: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), first
support. Screenings with the signed
Departments
of Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development,
in September 1974, and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, first signed
in October 1984.Council on Homelessness, have led to productive conversations
as well as the United States Interagency
about how agency staff acrossOfprograms
on the
oftogether
the film.
course, RHYA can
is the act
legislation
that lessons
brings us all
this week. For forty years, it has
enabled us to provide safety and stability to young people who’ve suffered trauma and
exploitation, and to prepare them for successful adulthood.
This year, we released the full report of a study detailing the experiences of 656 street youth across 11
We intend to continue to celebrate the legacy of RHYA at the conference. Check the schedule
cities. This first-of-its-kind study
will help us share young people’s service needs with a national audience.
for exciting events, including the showing of an inspirational new documentary film about
We’ll also use the informationthe
tolives
bolster
the efforts
of our
Street
Outreach
Program
grantees
to connect
of homeless
young people
in Chicago.
We’ll
also be looking
to the future,
discussing
what we need to do individually and collectively to end youth homelessness by 2020.
youth to trusted, caring adults and services.
Coinciding with the forty year celebration, FYSB launched a new logo, which you may have
noticed on our website as well as on this program. We’ve always had a strong identity and
We know you’ve been busy, too.
Since
we
last
November,
you’ve
worked
integrate
purpose.
What
wegathered
needed was an
image
that could help
convey them
to the to
world,
so that RHYMIS
more
people
would
engage
with
our
work.
Moreover,
we
needed
a
way
to
get
people
to Still,
data into the Homeless Management Information System. That transition had its challenges.
recognize and associate that image with the impact you, our grantees, have on communities
your dedication has raised theacross
profile
of youth homelessness within community efforts to combat
the country.
homelessness.
I’m particularly pleased with the logo. To me it signals empowerment and strength, things
we see in all of you and in the young people and families you tirelessly serve.
Thank you for everything youTogether,
do for we’re
our nation’s
we and
will meet our
working formost
a futurevulnerable
in which all ouryouth.
nation’s Together,
youth, individuals
families—no
matter
what
challenges
they
may
face—can
live
healthy,
productive,
violence-For now, I
shared goal of ending youth homelessness in 2020 and truly change the world for the better.
free lives. I urge you to make the most of every opportunity you have at this conference to
urge you all to “get jazzed” forlearn
thenew
2015
conference
and all the
information,
and inspiration
things,
make new connections,
and energize
yourselvesnetworking,
for the year ahead.
ahead.
I look forward to meeting you during the conference and wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
William H. Bentley
William
Bentley
AssociateH.
Commissioner
Family
and
Youth
Services Bureau
Associate Commissioner
Family and Youth Services Bureau
Monday, Nov. 9
11
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
1:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Pre-conference Institutes
10
9
Tuesday, Nov. 10
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Roundtable Sessions
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Welcome and Keynote Session
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Workshop Session I
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break (on your own)
1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Workshop Session II
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
General Federal Session
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Grantees Reception and Poster Session
Wednesday, Nov. 11
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8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Workshop Session III
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Workshop Session IV
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Luncheon, NCFY Mural Winner Announcement,
and Keynote Session: Facilitated Expert Youth Panel
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2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Site Visits
Workshop Session V
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Site Visits
Workshop Session VI
Thursday, Nov. 12
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Closing Keynote Session
Annual Banner Signing
4
“You're off to great places! Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting, so... get on your way!”
~ Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go
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Speakers
Federal Representatives
Rafael J. López
Commissioner on Children, Youth, and Families
Department of Health and Human Services
Nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate,
Rafael López is the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families (ACYF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. López is
a results-driven leader with experience in helping lead complex organizations in
the public and social sectors, where he has served in numerous roles at the city,
county, and state level, focused on improving the lives of children, families, and
communities. From 2013-2015, López served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office
of the President and with the Domestic Policy Council.
Prior to his service at the White House, López was an Associate Director at the Annie E. Casey Foundation,
a private, national philanthropy devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children at risk of
poor educational, economic, social, and health outcomes. Previously, López served as the President and
CEO of The Family League of Baltimore City, Inc., where he was a member of the Baltimore City Mayor’s
Cabinet. From 2006-2009, López was appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve on his Cabinet
as the Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth, and Their Families.
López previously served as the Deputy Director of the City and County of San Francisco Department of
Children, Youth, and Their Families, and as Senior Deputy for Health and Human Services for Los Angeles
County Supervisor Gloria Molina. From 1999-2004, López served as the Founding Executive Director of
First 5 Santa Cruz County, where he launched the countywide implementation of the California Children
and Families First Act-Proposition 10, and led innovative efforts to expand and create programs and
services in health, school readiness, and family support, including the creation of one of California’s first
comprehensive health coverage programs for all Santa Cruz County children.
In 1999, López became the youngest person in Watsonville, California’s history to serve on the City
Council, where he led neighborhood-based efforts to civically engage youth and immigrant families
in the development of city services. He has worked closely with community-based organizations as a
volunteer, manager, executive, board member, and founder and was sponsored by the David and Lucile
Packard Foundation to serve as a fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Social Innovation at the
Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. López was awarded a 2007-2008
Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family National Fellowship.
Born and raised in Watsonville, California, López is an alumnus of Vassar College and the University of
California Santa Cruz, where he graduated with honors in American Studies. He is a graduate of Harvard
University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration
and was named a Lucius N. Littauer Fellow. López and his wife, Rosa Ramírez-López, live in Washington,
D.C., with their sons Adán Miguel and Mateo Gabriel.
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Speakers
William H. Bentley, Associate Commissioner
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
William H. Bentley is the Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services
Bureau (FYSB), where he oversees programs that work to prevent teen pregnancy,
youth homelessness, and family violence. Mr. Bentley has more than four decades
of experience advocating for youth and families and promoting volunteerism and
public service. Most recently, he helmed Voices for America’s Children, a national
nonprofit that promotes public policies benefiting children and their families.
As President and CEO, he led national, state, and local policy efforts on a wide
range of children’s issues including children’s health, early childhood education,
homeless youth, juvenile justice, child nutrition, childhood poverty, and racial equity. During his tenure,
the organization was instrumental in helping to draft and promote the Affordable Care Act.
Mr. Bentley has held leadership positions at the Points of Light Foundation and at the Corporation
for National and Community Service, where he was responsible for the identification, development,
implementation, and dissemination of effective practices within national and community service
throughout the country.
Mr. Bentley started his career in Florida, where he spent 25 years in social services and community
development, including implementing and evaluating programs addressing child health, teen
pregnancy prevention, child welfare, juvenile justice, and family support programs, including domestic
violence prevention initiatives.
Debbie A. Powell, Deputy Associate Commissioner
Washington, D.C.
Debbie A. Powell is the Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Family and Youth
Services Bureau (FYSB), where she is the principal adviser to the FYSB Associate
Commissioner on family and youth issues. Before coming to FYSB, she held
various senior leadership positions at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, the Indian Health Service, and the Food and Drug Administration. At the
FDA, she served in senior acquisition management and policy positions for more
than 20 years.
At the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Ms. Powell held senior positions as the Director of
Technical Assistance at the Child Care Bureau, the Director of Discretionary Grant Programs at the Office
of Community Services, Deputy Commissioner at the Administration on Developmental Disabilities,
and Branch Chief in the Division of Acquisition Management. She has provided sustained leadership
for national and community-based programs that serve and support individuals with developmental
disabilities and low-income individuals and families.
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Speakers
Resa Matthew, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Division of Adolescent Development and
Support
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Resa Matthew has more than 16 years of experience working with federal,
state, and local governments on public health and behavioral health-related
programs, including large, complex TA management and delivery projects. Her work
has focused on HIV/AIDS, rapid HIV testing (RHT), substance abuse (SA), maternal
and child health, mental health, and knowledge dissemination. She has presented
at numerous conferences and received several awards, including the Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention’s Distinguished Service Award for Evaluation.
Dr. Matthew recently served as Project Director for Substance Abuse Mental Health Services
Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Targeted Capacity Expansion Program for Substance Abuse Treatment and
HIV/AIDS (TCE-HIV) Services Multi-Site Evaluation Project. The TCE-HIV program enhances and expands
SA and HIV/AIDS services in African American, Latino/Hispanic, and other racial and ethnic communities
disproportionately affected by SA and HIV/AIDS. Previously, she directed a comprehensive evaluation
to assess the efficacy of T/TA products and services in the National Minority AIDS Council’s (NMAC’s)
Technical Assistance Division, Prison Initiative Project, and Supporting Networks of HIV Care. The project
developed online assessment tools and quality assurance protocols for all NMAC T/TA activities and
collected data at community-based organizations (CBOs), regional and state trainings, and national HIV/
AIDS conferences.
Dr. Matthew also directed a project that assessed the effectiveness of the Pregnant and Postpartum
Women’s (PPW) residential treatment programs. The programs provide gender-specific, trauma
informed, and culturally specific SA treatment. She has a Ph.D. in Family Studies from the University of
Maryland and an MPH in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention from The George Washington University.
Bill Clair , Youth Services Program Manager
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Bill Clair came to the Administration for Children and Families in 1997 after working for Former United
States Senator Paul Simon of Illinois for twelve years. During the last six years working for Senator
Simon, Bill served as Deputy Director and then Director of the Senator’s Chicago office. After Joining
ACF, Bill first worked for the office of Child Support Enforcement and then in 2000 became Runaway
and Homeless Youth Program Manager in Region 5 Chicago. After the ACF reorganization in 2006 Bill
became RHY Team Leader for the Western Team. The Western Team is made up of FYSB staff in Chicago,
Kansas City, San Francisco and Seattle. The Western Team is responsible for over 300 RHY grants
stretching from Ohio to Guam.
In 2008 received ACF’s Exemplary Leadership Award.
Bill also is a Former Board Member of the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago and a1983 graduate
of Regis College, Denver Colorado.
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Speakers
Christopher Holloway, RHY Program Manager
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Christopher Holloway is a Program Manager in the Administration for Children and Families’ Family and
Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) where he is responsible for managing training and technical assistance,
research, evaluation, and program support for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. Prior to joining
FYSB and the RHY Program, Christopher served for more than 15 years in the Department of Justice
where he led efforts in the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to provide support to victims of federal crime,
terrorism, and incidents of mass casualty, and those living in American Indian/Alaska Native communities.
During his tenure at DOJ, Christopher served 12 years with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention (OJJDP) developing and managing initiatives to prevent and respond to missing and exploited
children, to include the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program and programs designed to
address the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children.
Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator, Region VI (Dallas)
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Leon R. McCowan provides executive leadership, direction, and coordination for achieving ACF’s key
national goals, priorities, and special initiatives; advocates for and advances the priorities of the HHS
Secretary and ACF Assistant Secretary, and facilitates Administration initiatives to improve outcomes for
vulnerable children and families, special populations, and distressed communities.
Dr. Brett Brown, Director of the Office of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation
Dr. Brett Brown is Director of the Office of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation (ODARE),
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF). Prior to joining ACYF in 2012, he was Vice
President for Child and Family Studies at Walter R. McDonald and Associates, Inc. (WRMA), where he
led a national multi-site, randomized controlled trial evaluation of differential response for the National
Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services (QIC-DR). Prior to
joining WRMA in 2008, Dr. Brown was the Director for Social Indicators Research at Child Trends, a nonpartisan, non-profit research firm. He is a nationally recognized researcher with over 20 years experience
in the development and use of social indicators to inform child and family policy at the federal, state, and
local levels. Dr. Brown has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Telisa Burt, Social Science Analyst, Office of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation
Telisa Burt is a Social Science Analyst for the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Office
of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation (ODARE). In addition to managing the collection and reporting
of data through the Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS), Ms. Burt is
also responsible for overseeing the randomized control trial evaluation of the Transitional Living Program.
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Speakers
Ms. Burt is a former program specialist for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and FYSB’s Runaway
and Homeless Youth program and was previously responsible for data collection and reporting efforts
for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) program. She is a graduate of Morgan State University and
also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Human Services Administration from the University of Northern
Iowa. Ms. Burt has established a lengthy professional career in community-based programming with
special emphasis on the effective implementation of poverty reduction and community development
strategies. Prior to her work in government, Ms. Burt served as the executive director of a 40-year-old
non-profit institution tasked with administering homelessness prevention assistance, senior services,
and other community support resources.
Karen DeBlasio, HMIS Subject Matter Expert
Karen M. DeBlasio has over 14 years experience in program design, implementation and administration,
training and technical assistance, social science research, and program evaluation. Ms. DeBlasio is the
Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Subject Matter Expert in the Office of Special Needs
Assistance Programs (SNAPS) at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She is also
the lead for HUD’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR). Ms. DeBlasio is also working with the
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) on federal-level homeless data standardization in
order to achieve consistency on homeless data collection across federal partners.
Prior to working at HUD headquarters, Ms. DeBlasio worked as a national technical assistance provider
for HUD focusing on HMIS and Continuum of Care (CoC) planning issues. Ms. Deblasio also served as a
Program Administrator for Baltimore Homeless Services, where she was responsible for administering
over $1.2 million in state and federal homeless funds, assisting with implementing the city’s HMIS, and
developing a city-wide performance measurement system.
Michelle Budzek, President
The Partnership Center, Ltd., a HUD HMIS Technical Assistance Provider
Michelle Budzek is the President of the Partnership Center, Ltd. (PCL). Her life’s work has been around
improving the lives of homeless and low income persons. In her journey she has: been both a community
and parish organizer; developed and managed a large non-profit agency and shelter for homeless families;
developed low-income housing; designed and facilitated the inclusive Cincinnati/Hamilton County
Continuum of Care (CoC) for the Homeless process; created an award winning Homeless Management
Information System (HMIS) and provided program design services to community agencies. Currently,
she oversees a skilled group of staff that provide software development, software user support, training,
research and national technical assistance. She is a national U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) HMIS technical assistance provider which currently includes managing the National
HMIS Data Lab, developing Annual Performance Reporting and System Wide Measurement, and authoring
or assisting with the development of many on-line Guidebooks and tools for HUD. She has provided
technical assistance and support for all of the federal partner agencies in their process of working together
to implement HMIS and serves as the Subject Matter Expert on Runaway and Homeless Youth in HMIS.
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Speakers
2015 Featured Keynotes
Larry Brendtro, Ph.D.
Larry Brendtro is the founder of the Circle of Courage Institute, Dean of the Starr
Global Learning Network, and former president of Starr Commonwealth, Albion,
Michigan. He has broad direct experience with youth and trains professionals
worldwide. He developed programs in children’s behavior disorders while on the
faculty of the University of Illinois, Ohio State University, and Augustana. He is
founding editor of the journal Reclaiming Children and Youth and with colleagues
has authored 200 articles and a dozen books. His most recent book is Deep
Brain Learning: Evidence Based Essentials in Education, Treatment, and Youth
Development (Brendtro & Mitchell, 2015). He has served on the U.S. Coordinating
Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention during three presidential
administrations. Dr. Brendtro is a licensed psychologist and holds a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology
from the University of Michigan.
Roy Juarez, Jr.
Born and raised on the south side of San Antonio, TX, Roy faced situations and
obstacles that could have turned him into a negative statistic but he found
a way to overcome those challenges. At the age of fourteen, Roy was a high
school dropout and one of the hundreds of homeless youth on the streets of San
Antonio. He carried with him only a duffle bag of personal items that he called a
home. He moved from house to house to survive. Despite all that was working
against him, he knew there was more to life, which is why he never lost sight of his
dreams! Once a homeless teenager, Roy fought the battle to leave the streets only
to return to them after becoming a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. Roy
decided that he would live homeless for the second time in his life. This time he
would be “Homeless by Choice.” His mission would be to reach out to as many young people as possible.
He wanted to inspire them not to give up on life or their dreams, and to understand the value of a higher
education. What began as a 6 month journey of sharing his personal message of hope became a 2 1/2
year mission. Roy was able to complete his tour in May of 2012 only after giving 518 presentations, and
sharing his message with over 108,000 students, educators, and parents across the country and abroad.
Roy Juarez, Jr. founded America’s Business Leaders – a human development company in 2005, when he
was just a freshman at Hardin-Simmons University. With a dream to inspire youth and reunite families,
he began sharing his turbulent history to touch the lives of youth, educators and parents. As a young
entrepreneur, he has been able to develop a successful career lecturing to thousands, both nationally
and internationally.
On his upcoming Impact Tour, Roy will deliver his story of hope, perseverance and the power of a
higher education to over 50,000 young people across the country. The mission of the tour is to inspire,
teach, and empower each participant to become a contributing member of society by channeling their
energies into positive efforts that benefit their families, schools, and communities by developing a
consciousness for social change.
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Speakers
RHY Youth Experts Panel
Syncere Mitchell, The Night Ministry, Illinois
Syncere Mitchell was raised in the Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago’s west side.
As a young adult, he found himself facing homelessness when his mother passed
away from cancer, and coming out led to the further loss of his stable support system.
During the time he spent on the streets, he found the programs of The Night Ministry,
including street outreach services and low-barrier emergency overnight shelter.
Accessing services that The Night Ministry and other organizations had to offer, and
realizing this work was so critical to himself and others, Syncere wanted to make a
change in the way people think about homeless individuals. He wanted to break down
misconceptions like “the homeless are unemployable.” Since then, Syncere has become
an outspoken advocate for young people in Chicago.
Syncere became employed as a part-time Youth Worker at The Night Ministry in September 2012, and was
subsequently promoted to a full-time position. Syncere says: “The thing I enjoy most about working with The
Night Ministry is that we don’t see people just as “clients” but as humans, and the fact that we meet people
where they are. My main interest is to empower young people to advocate for themselves, because no one can
have people understand a struggle like the person in the struggle can.”
In reference to achieving his dream, Syncere says, “I am passionate about my dream of opening a 24-hour
resource center in Chicago that would have a drop-in center, shelter, and transitional living spaces to meet the
needs of a wide range of young people.”
Kaysie Getty, Center for Family Services, New Jersey
Kaysie Getty is a 23-year-old Rutgers University Student who calls herself, “A Gladiator in
a suit for youth.” Adopted when she was 2 years-old, Kaysie grew up in Sicklerville, NJ.
At 14, she was separated from her siblings when she re-entered the foster care system.
Hoping she would only be there for the weekend, Kaysie found herself in a foster home
in Pennsauken, NJ. Little did she know, she would not return home to live with her
siblings or adoptive parents again. This was the beginning of her journey in the foster
care system.
The day she turned 18, after being bounced around from one placement to another for
years, Kaysie found the Center for Family Services (CFS) and their Together Youth Shelter.
This was Kaysie’s pivotal start on her path to stability and independence. After graduating
from the youth shelter program, Kaysie moved into the Grand Slam Transitional Living Program for girls.
After graduation from high school, Kaysie was invited to attend the National Network for Youth Symposium
in Washington D.C. and was introduced to the possibility of becoming a youth advocate for youth like herself
who were living in the foster care system. That was when her advocacy & leadership abilities took off. As Kaysie
continued to flourish, she graduated to another CFS program, Camden DREAMS - a permanent supportive
housing program for homeless youth or young adults aging out of foster care. Kaysie graduated from the
Camden DREAMS program into her own apartment in 2014.
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Speakers
Since then, Kaysie has served as the president of the CFS Youth Advisory Board. She is also a member of the
Camden County Youth Advisory Board (YAB), where she started coordinating different volunteer activities,
fundraisers, and events for youth to attend. Most importantly, Kaysie learned not only how to advocate for
herself, but for her peers as well.
Kaysie has used her foster care experience to help make change within the NJ foster care system and has
helped to make an impact for at-risk youth. Kaysie has worked in conjunction with the state to help make
changes to NJ’s system by participating in focus groups and sitting on committees that help influence decisions
for youth in the child welfare/foster care system. Kaysie has helped with a pilot program allowing youth to
attend their court hearings when deciding their placement. Kaysie has also appeared in a video encouraging
youth to keep their Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) cases open until they turn 21. In
2012, Kaysie was named Youth Leader of the Year by the New Jersey Alliance of Children Youth and Families
and again in 2014 by the Rutgers School of Social Work Transitions for Youth. Kaysie was named among Spark
Action’s Top 24 Youth Change Makers in America and an Outstanding Young Leader by Foster Club in 2013.
Kaysie has told her story in numerous speaking engagements in an effort to help youth like herself to become
successful. Kaysie is currently a student at Rutgers University Camden and she plans to get her BSW and
MSW in social work. Kaysie also works with the Rutgers School of Social Work as a YAB Ambassador. She helps
oversee the NJ county YABs which give feedback to the NJ child welfare system. Kaysie also works with the
Center for Family Services as their Youth Advocate. Kaysie is also a trainer for Youth Thrive, a multi-year initiative
that examines how foster care youth can be supported in ways that advance healthy development and wellbeing and reduce the impact of negative life experiences.
Anthony D. Ross
At age 13, Anthony Ross lost his grandmother (his sole caretaker at the time) to
heart disease. He never knew his dad, and his mother was a drug addict. After his
grandmother died, Anthony and his sisters lived in his mom’s house with no water,
heat, or electricity for 9 months. They ran out of the house one night when neglect
escalated to violence.
Anthony and his sisters were separated when some of them joined their father’s family
while Anthony ended up homeless, sleeping in cars and shelters in Washington, D.C.
Anthony wanted to go to high school so bad but he struggled just to feed himself. At
age 16, he enrolled in a G.E.D. program while working days at Starbucks and evenings
at Ruby Tuesdays.
After earning his G.E.D., Anthony wanted to go to college. To prepare for the SAT/ACT exams, he stayed up until
three and four in the morning watching YouTube videos to learn algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, functions,
and geometry. He had tutors come out to the shelter to help him. In 2008, Anthony was accepted into college.
He spent 4-6 hours a day in the library working to earn a 4.0 GPA his freshmen year. He was recognized by his
department for excellence in Political Science. Anthony received numerous awards while in college, and he was
elected President of the Student Government Association.
As part of his education, Anthony held an internship with Adrian Fenty, the Mayor of Washington, D.C. He was
able to see first-hand the work of President Obama and Mayor Fenty as they partnered for several initiatives.
On May 5, 2013, Anthony graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Augustine’s University with a Bachelor of Arts
in Political Science and Government. His first book was published in 2013.
13
Speakers
Starcia Ague, 2014 SOROS Justice Fellow and Youth and Family Advocate
Program Administrator
Starcia Ague is currently a Youth and Family Advocate Program Administrator with
the Department of Social and Health Services at Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation
Administration. She is on month 8 of 18 of her 2014 SOROS Justice Fellowship from
the Open Society Foundation. This is a continuation of Starcia’s interest in ensuring
that Washington’s Juvenile Justice system actively engages incarcerated youth with
empowering programs and measures. Her goal of empowering youth is one of the
reasons she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University
in 2010. As a participant in the Washington State Bar Association’s Annual Access
to Justice Conference, Ague developed and implemented training focused on the
importance of advocacy and protecting children’s rights in times of economic hardship. She provided lead
testimony for the Second Substitute Senate Bill 6561 that became law in April 2010. The new law affords
juvenile offenders the opportunity to overcome their past given consecutive years of exemplary behavior.
Starcia spoke at the Washington State Juvenile Defense Leadership Summit on the role of juvenile defenders in
reform through advocacy efforts aimed at legislative, administrative and court rule procedures. She was the 2009
recipient of Washington State’s third annual Spirit of Youth Award. She was also nominated by the Washington
State Juvenile Advisory Committee to the Governor “in recognition of the importance of the rehabilitative focus
of juvenile justice and the power of personal achievement.” Starcia serves on the Governor’s Washington State
Partnership Council for Juvenile Justice. Starcia was the 2012 Champion for Change Award recipient from the
MacArthur Foundation and most recently she was published in the Harvard Educational Review Journal. In
2013 she was won the Courage award for public service. Most recently she has been appointed to the Federal
Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice representing Alaska, Oregon, Hawaii and Washington.
A documentary entitled “Starcia” recently won a NW Regional Emmy. To see a promo for the documentary
and more visit www.starciaague.org.
Jessica McCormick, Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Washington, D.C.
Jessica McCormick is very excited to be serving on the National Youth Advisory
Council (NYAC). A graduate of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she has
a double-major in Sociology and Community Leadership. As a youth, Jessie was
served by the Arbor Circle RHY program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently
employed by the Sasha Bruce YouthWork program in Washington, D.C.
In her free time, Jessie loves to dance, run, and visit the Lake Michigan beaches! Jessie
is particularly passionate about issues of affordable housing, ending homelessness,
and promoting strong and accessible education. She has a very high appreciation
of the ways that systems interconnect and change, and always loves learning more.
Jessie dreams of a day when higher education is available to all young people as a
way to improve themselves and their lives, empowering them to be an end in the cycle of poverty.
As part of the NYAC, Jessie is most excited to learn new ideas, listen to the stories of both NYAC and other
homeless youth, share her own experiences and ideas, connect with incredible people, and create tangible
change in the lives of young people.
14
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) is recognized for its commitment to youth in crisis. Our meaningful partnerships
and effective, innovative supports for youth and family service organizations are part of that commitment. Through
efforts such as Safe Place, HTR (Human Trafficking Initiative), the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and
Technical Center (RHYTTAC), and membership activities, NSPN has cultivated “first name” relationships within
organizations in all 50 states. While we have a multitude of state, regional, and national partnerships, our passion to
ensure safety for all youth is fueled through our efforts with and on behalf of each local organization. The NSPN family
believes it is equally important to know and connect with all levels of staff who show up every day simply hoping to
make a difference. When we listen to each other and share resources, we can all achieve more and experience the
ultimate outcome of well-being for youth and families.
Our services include individualized supports for organizational development,
national and international youth worker certification, training, technical
assistance, and personal professional development. We invite you to learn more
about our network of support and to consider how these efforts align with yours.
www.nspnetwork.org
info@nspnetwork.org
502.635.3660
BE AWESOME.
The Forty to None Network is a national network for awesome
people doing awesome things to address LGBT youth homelessness.
Join today at www.truecolorsfund.org/network.
15
Federal Contacts
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Central Office
Title
Name
Email
Attending?
RHY PGM - Central Office
Program Specialist
Program Specialist
Program Specialist
Program Specialist
Program Specialist
Christopher Holloway
Gloria Watkins
Toyin Akintoye
Karal Busch
Angie Webley
Ana Cody
christopher.holloway@acf.hhs.gov
gloria.watkins@acf.hhs.gov
toyin.akintoye@acf.hhs.gov
karal.busch@acf.hhs.gov
angie.webley@acf.hhs.gov
ana.cody@acf.hhs.gov
Title
Name
Email
Phone
Program Specialist R1
TBD
Danny Balkcom
Myrna Quintana
Esceta McGee
Habibah Sulayman
Carolyn Bates
Pamela Marr
Keylan Mitchell
danny.balkcom@acf.hhs.gov
myrna.quintana@acf.hhs.gov
esceta.mcgee@acf.hhs.gov
habibah.sulayman@acf.hhs.gov
carolyn.bates@acf.hhs.gov
pamela.marr@acf.hhs.gov
keylan.mitchell@acf.hhs.gov
212-264-2890 ext.127
787-766-5196 ext. 4
212-264-2890
215-861-4012
404-562-2923
404-562-2781
404-562-2842
Yes
Yes
Yes
Regional Staff - East
Attending?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Regional Staff - West
Title
Name
Email
Phone
RHY PGM - West
Bill Clair
Niki Lee
Jenny Weiser
Paul Bowser
Rebecca Eichelberger
Dr. Linda Cloud
Raymond Hicks
Deb Yatsko
Deborah Oppenheim
Petrina Winston
Steve Ice
Janice Holt
Thomas Bonnington
bill.clair@acf.hhs.gov
niki.lee@acf.hhs.gov
jenny.weiser@acf.hhs.gov
paul.bowser@acf.hhs.gov
rebecca.eichelberger@acf.hhs.gov
linda.cloud@acf.hhs.gov
raymond.hicks@acf.hhs.gov
deb.yatsko@acf.hhs.gov
deb.oppenheim@acf.hhs.gov
petrina.winston@acf.hhs.gov
steve.ice@acf.hhs.gov
janice.holt@acf.hhs.gov
thomas.bonnington@acf.hhs.gov
312-353-0166
312-886-4282
312-886-5333
214-767-2957
214-767-2957
816-426-2252
816-426-2267
303-844-7208
415-437-8426
415-437-8448
206-615-2210
206-615-2552
206-615-2573
Attending?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Office of Data, Research and Evaluation (ODARE)
Title
Name
Dir. of the Office of Data, Dr. Brett Brown
Analysis, Research and Evaluation
Social Science Analyst
Telisa Burt
16
Email
Attending?
brett.brown@acf.hhs.gov
Yes
telisa.burt@acf.hhs.gov
Yes
TAKE ANOTHER LOOK.
WE ARE MORE THAN OUR SITUATION.
Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year. These numbers are unacceptable,
particularly when you consider the fact that many of these young people will end up
on the streets. These are not bad kids; they are good kids in bad situations. By
supporting National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), you are showing America’s
runaway and homeless youth that they are not invisible and they are not alone.
Support NRPM and show America’s runaway and homeless youth they are not invisible.
Join National Safe Place Network, National Runaway Safeline, and National Network for
Youth for Wear Green Day, Thursday, Nov. 12. Download the NRPM toolkit to learn
more: http://tinyurl.com/NRPM2015.
17
General Information
Evaluations: Individual evaluations for workshops, round table discussions, and site visits will be provided
at the corresponding events. To evaluate other events, complete the evaluation booklet available in the
conference bag. Evaluation booklets may be completed and dropped off at the Conference Information Center,
or you can choose to complete an online survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015NationalRHYGranteesConference.
You do not need to do both. The deadline for evaluations is Friday, Nov. 20, 2015.
Certificate of Attendance: Certificates will be distributed via email by Dec. 15, 2015.
Continuing Education Units (CEU): CEUs for the conference will be provided by the University of Tennessee.
Please complete the “CEU Request Form” and turn it in at the Conference Information Center. There are no
costs for CEUs. You may also mail the form to: National Safe Place Network, 2429 Crittenden Drive, Louisville,
KY, 40217 by Nov. 20, 2015. If you have any questions, please see a RHYTTAC team member. Documentation of
CEUs will be maintained in two ways:
1. Mailed to participants by the University of Tennessee to the address provided on the form; and
2. Maintained in University files for future reference
CEUs are awarded at the rate of one CEU for every 10 hours of instruction. For this conference, participants will
earn 20 contact hours and 2.0 CEUs.
Door Prizes: Each participant has a number on his or her name badge. Winners will be drawn periodically and
their names will be displayed at the Conference Information Center. Don’t forget to check if your number has
been selected to receive a small prize.
18
General Information
Grantee Stipends:
In order to receive stipend reimbursement:
1. Agencies must be a current RHY grantee.
2. Attendees must attend the conference in its entirety (Nov. 10 - 12, 2015).
3. Attendees or agencies must complete and submit the reimbursement form by Dec. 15, 2015.
To submit a Grantee Stipend Request Form you may:
1. Fill out the form provided in your participant bag or go online to: http://tinyurl.com/rhystipendrequest
2. Return the completed form along with copies of receipts by:
Fax: 502.635.3678 (attn: Isabel Gomez) - or Mail: National Safe Place Network, Attn: Isabel Gomez, 2429 Crittenden Drive, Louisville, KY 40217.
3. Checks will be mailed after Dec. 30, 2015.
4. Under no circumstances will checks be issued to individuals. Reimbursements will only go to current
grantee agencies.
Stipend Form Requirements:
1. One stipend form is permitted per agency.
2. The maximum stipend amount per agency is $600.00.
3. The form must include the following: attendee(s) name, RHY grantee agency name and contact information,
signature of authorized organizational leader (Executive Director, CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, etc.), and applicable receipts for allowed costs (airfare, mileage at .565 per mile, taxi or shuttle fares,
parking or baggage fees, and hotel costs, excluding incidentals).
4. Travel and lodging receipts must have a zero balance and include payment information. Confirmation
emails will not be accepted.
19
Monday, Nov. 9
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Conference Registration
1:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Room 3 Pre-conference Institutes
Leadership Development for Emerging Leaders
Presenters:
Cassandra Mitchell, Partner, Executive Coaching Connections, LLC.
Paul Hamann, ED, The Night Ministry
Cheri Brandies, CEO, Arnette House Inc.
Danielle Butler, Director, Haven House
Geoffrey Hollenbach, VP, Lighthouse Youth Services
Dr. Fonda Thompson, ED, Open Arms, Inc.
Room 16
Providing Effective Outreach and Engagement in Rural Areas
Presenter:
Jim Bolas, ED, Coalition for Homeless Youth
Rooms 9 & 12
Creating a Continuum of Care in Your Community
Presenters:
Kevin Donegan, Runaway and Homeless Youth Director, Janus Youth Programs
Leah Breen, New Avenues for Youth
Heather Brown, Youth Department Director, Outside In Caitlin Campbell, Contract Manager, Multnomah County
Ashley Thirstrup, Director of Youth & Education Services, Native American Youth &
Family Association
Rooms 15 & 18
Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Risk for Suicide: Resources and Strategies
to Keep Youth Safe
Presenter:
Nathan Belyeu, Senior Prevention Specialist, Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Rooms 7 & 10
Opening Doors: Accelerating Progress to End Youth Homelessness in 2020
Presenters:
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
United States Department of Education (invited)
United States Department of Health and Human Services (invited)
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (invited)
20
21
Tuesday, Nov. 10
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Roundtable Sessions:
Grand Ballroom B
A facilitated sharing of issues, challenges, promising
and best practices (Optional Participation)
Please plan on joining your colleagues for an engaging and stimulating facilitated discussion covering
critical issues of interest to the RHY field. This will be a great opportunity to share your challenges and
successes, lessons learned, and plans for next steps with peers from the field. Plan to lead off this RHY
Grantee Conference so you have opportunities throughout the conference to continue the discussion.
Table 1
Harm Reduction and Substance Abuse
Table 2 Host Home Affinity Group
Table 3
Family Engagement Issues and Strategies
Table 4
Fatherhood Involvement in Transitional Living Programs and
Maternity Group Homes
Repairing and Enhancing Community and Neighborhood Relations
Table 5 Table 6
Prevention and Intervention
Table 7
Executive Management Critical Issues (board development,
sustainability, succession planning, and executive self care)
Table 8 Employment/Education for Transition Age Youth
Table 9
Housing Strategies for Transition Age Youth
Table 10 Staff and Staffing Issues
Table 11 Understanding RHYMIS/HMIS Data
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Plenary
Grand Ballroom C
Welcome and Introduction of Young Marines Color Guard
Presentation of Colors
The Young Marines Color Guard, Orleans Parish Chapter
Introduction of Speaker
Starcia Ague, 2014 SOROS Justice Fellow and Youth and Family Advocate
Program Administrator
Opening Remarks
Rafael J. López, Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth, and Families
Opening Keynote
Larry Brendtro, Ph.D.
Conference Notes
Laurie Jackson, President and CEO
National Safe Place Netwok
22
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Workshop Session I
Regional Meeting with Your Federal Project Officer
Room 18 Region I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Room 6 Region II
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Room 7 Region III
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia, and West Virginia
Room 3 Region IV
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Tennessee
Room 9 Region V
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Room 16 Region VI
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Room 12 Region VII
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
Room 15 Region VIII
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
Room 4 Region IX
American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Palau,
and Republic of the Marshall Islands
Room 10 Region X
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch Break (on your own - check your pocket guide for local discounts)
23
Tuesday, Nov. 10
1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Workshop Session II
Room 18 Building Law Enforcement Partnerships To Enhance Street Outreach
Summary:
Lighthouse Street Outreach has created a model that includes law enforcement as partners in the
identification and assistance of homeless youth. Law Enforcement officers work side by side with street
outreach workers, enabling more contacts and access to resources for homeless youth. This workshop
details how having a committed partnership with law enforcement can be of great benefit to the
homeless youth, the police, and the outreach worker.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants an overview of the five components of effective street outreach.
2. To provide participants with comprehensive insight into the benefits of building law enforcement
partnerships.
3. To provide participants with the seven critical steps on how to build an effective coalition with law
enforcement.
4. To provide participants with action steps that are beneficial to their client base utilizing the law
enforcement community as a partner.
5. To provide participants with lessons from the Compassionate Enforcement model established by the
Cincinnati Police Department and Lighthouse Youth Services in Cincinnati.
Presenters:
John Keuffer, Director, Lighthouse Sheakley Center For Youth
Sid Taylor, QMHS, CDCA, Director, Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center
Recommended Audiences:
Street Outreach Program, Executive Leadership, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach,
New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY
field/workshop topic
Room 7
The Impact of Transitional Living Programs: Perspectives of Homeless Youth
Summary:
This session examines the impact of transitional living programs (TLPs) for youth experiencing
homelessness. It presents the findings from in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with 32
youth who exited a TLP between 1 and 11 years ago. The results of this study offer guidance for TLP
providers from the perspective of youth regarding implementation of services. The study also suggests
several areas for reconsideration regarding the way TLP services are provided and prioritized.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the opportunity to discover what happens in the lives of young people
after they leave a TLP with regard to housing, education, employment, and health stability over time.
2. To provide participants with a description, from the perspective of youth, of the impact of their
experience in a TLP on their lives both when they were in the program and now, years after exit.
3. To provide participants with the skills to identify areas where practice and policy changes are
indicated within TLPs and the field of youth homelessness in general.
24
Presenters:
Dr. Casey Holtschneider, Visiting Research Specialist and Instructor
Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
Transitional Living Program, Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program
Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 4
Benefits of Yoga for Shelter Youth; Partnership with Gateway Youth Shelter
and Yoga Gangsters
Summary:
This workshop will showcase how a shelter in Lansing has brought yoga to residents through a
partnership with Yoga Gangsters, a non-profit that trains/certifies people to teach yoga to youth who
have experienced trauma. This will highlight the benefits of yoga and how yoga can be used to provide
trauma informed care.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with information regarding yoga as an addition to shelter services. Yoga can
provide an outlet for stress, provide access to a creative, low cost physical activity, and aid in the
emotional balance for youth in shelter.
2. To provide participants with education about the benefits of yoga and discuss how it can help youth
who have experienced trauma.
3. To provide participants access to the Executive Director of Yoga Gangsters, Jodi Weiner, who will be
on hand to discuss how to obtain certification to teach yoga to youth who have experienced trauma.
Presenters:
Jennifer Cousineau, Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter Manager, Child and Family Charities
Jodi Weiner, Executive Director, Yoga Gangsters
Transitional Living Program, Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program
Management/Supervision, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 10
Effectively Identifying and Engaging Homeless Youth in Rural and Suburban Areas
Summary:
In this workshop we’ll cover creative and innovative street outreach methodology in rural and suburban
settings. We’ll explain the street outreach philosophy that allows us to safely and effectively identify
and engage homeless youth. Attendees will be provided specifics in regards to unique services and
techniques we utilize. These techniques allow us to maintain strong relationships not only with homeless
youth in our area, but also with community individuals, agencies, officials and leaders.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the support to embrace philosophies and methodologies that allow
homeless youth to know they are valued, respected, and capable of overcoming difficult situations.
2. To provide participants with the opportunity to consider how they might develop a creative and
unique program structure that will produce positive results among the housed and non-housed
members of their communities.
25
Tuesday, Nov. 10
3. To provide participants with specifics on new resources, supplies, services, and techniques that are
effective in rural and suburban settings.
4. To provide participants with helpful ideas about what may benefit their street outreach programs.
5. To provide participants with several ways to involve their communities in the work, including
volunteering, awareness raising presentations, peer counseling, adult mentoring, host homes,
collecting supplies, and even gardening and fishing with homeless youth.
Presenters:
Shane Burroughs, Street Outreach Coordinator, Valley Youth House
Robert Wood, Street Outreach Coordinator, Valley Youth House - The Synergy Project
Street Outreach Program, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 12
Promoting the Self-Sufficiency of Pregnant and Parenting Youth
Summary:
This training highlights the importance of apartment-based programming, on-site case management,
and a wraparound service model for promoting the self-sufficiency of pregnant and parenting youth.
Additionally, participants will learn how internally driven evaluation initiatives can be used to better
understand their target population, identify client needs and appropriate services, monitor client
progress, and inform programmatic changes to ensure success.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of an innovative and successful wraparound service model
for parenting youth.
2. To provide participants with a list of key considerations in the strategic, geographic placement of
Maternity Group Home programming.
3. To provide participants with an overview of how data can be used to inform service delivery and
promote positive client outcomes.
Presenters:
Scurry Miller, Division Director of Housing and Homelessness Services, LifeWorks
Dr. Elizabeth Schoenfeld, Director of Research and Evaluation, LifeWorks
Cecilia Hogan, Program Services Coordinator - Young Parents Program, LifeWorks
Maternity Group Home, Program Management/Supervision, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 9
Neglected Victims, Silent Survivors of Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking:
Increasing Capacity to Identify and Serve Girls, Boys, and LGBTQ Youth
Summary:
This presentation will explore varied approaches to serving survivors of human trafficking and how
programmatic approaches can be tailored for under-served populations. Building on existing evidence,
the National Center for Combating Human Trafficking and MANY will explore the distinct needs of special
populations and promising practices for serving these populations.
26
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the ability to explore the distinct needs of female, male, and LGBTQ
youth who have been sexually exploited or trafficked.
2. To provide participants with the skills to identify the key obstacles programs face in identifying and
serving under-served trafficking victims.
3. To provide participants with existing evidence and promising practices in identifying and serving
under-served trafficking victims.
Presenters:
Dr. Karen Countryman-Roswurm, Executive Director, Center for Combating Human Trafficking
Susan Spagnuolo, Senior TA Manager, MANY
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Street Outreach Program, Transitional
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/
Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 6
Making A Connection
Summary:
This presentation will focus on the importance of addressing sexual health, including teen pregnancy
prevention, and connecting youth with high quality clinical services. Participants will learn about data
on teen pregnancy, evidence-based strategies for addressing teen pregnancy, and ways to ensure youth
have the support they need to improve their sexual health.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with a description of pregnancy planning and prevention among youth in the
U.S., with a focus on groups at the highest risk of unintended pregnancy.
2. To provide participants with the skills to effectively address teen pregnancy.
3. To provide participants with the skills needed to identify key resources for supporting youth and
linking them to reproductive health services.
Presenter:
Jennifer Driver, Manager of State Support, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Recommended Audience:
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home,
Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth,
General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 3
Drug Free Communities Panel Presentation
Summary:
Substance abuse remains a critical issue with the RHY population and their families. RHY grantees
should play an integral part in their communities’ efforts to address and prevent substance abuse. This
presentation, made up of five area Drug Free Communities grantees, will provide an overview of the
Drug Free Communities initiative and information about particular models.
27
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Objectives:
1. To provide participants increased awareness and knowledge of the Drug Free Communities initiative.
2. To provide participants with information about community models.
3. To provide participants perspective on how RHY programs might collaborate with local and regional
Drug Free Communities grantees.
4. To provide participants information and support for connecting with a local Drug Free Communities grantee.
Presenters:
David Alvarez, Coordinator, Jefferson Parrish Alliance of Concerned Citizens
Rachel Godeaux, Project Coordinator, The Knowledge Effect Coalition
Seton Smith Jenkins, Executive Board Member, Greater New Orleans Drug Demand Reduction Coalition
Dr. Deborah Thomas, Project Director, East and West Feliciana Drug and Alcohol Awareness Councils
Bridget Bailey, Prevention Director, Tangipahoa Reshaping Attitudes for Community Change Coalition
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Group
Home, Program Management/Supervision, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 16
Deep Brain Learning: Connecting with Kids who Outwit Adults
Summary:
Many of the youth who most need positive adult relationships have experienced trauma and pain,
causing them to be “adult-wary.” They react with conflict or avoidance to even the most well-meaning
adults. This presentation draws from the book, Kids Who Outwit Adults which the presenter co-authored
with a former at-risk youth, Dr. John Seita, now a resilience scientist at Michigan State University. Young
people who distrust adults keep them at bay with strategies of Fight, Flight, or Fool, or they follow one
another in group defiance of adults in authority. Successful youth workers need practical strategies to
connect with kids in conflict, communicate in times of crisis, and restore harmony and bonds of respect.
Objectives:
TBA
Presenter:
Dr. Larry Brendtro Recommended Audiences:
Clinical and Case Management, New in the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 15
ACF/FYSB and CDC Collaboration to Implement a Linkage to Services and
Care Mobile Application for National Runaway and Homeless Youth
Summary:
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) and the Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have partnered to develop and maintain a mobile application that
can be used by Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) in locating available shelter beds, healthcare and other
gateway services (e.g., food, mental health,, clothing, transportation, and hygiene to prevent malnutrition
and ill health) in any geographic region in the country. Once fully implemented, youth will, at a minimum,
be able to rate services; connect with their peers through a forum; locate shelter, housing, and food; receive
28
notifications with medically accurate health tips; and access a continuum of service linkages. This workshop
will provide an overview of the RHY mobile application concept and provide participants an opportunity to
share their views on what such an APP would need “to do” to add value to their program services, the lives of
the youth they serve, and other providers of services and resources that impact the lives of RHY. Participants
will be asked to engage in a thoughtful dialogue with Federal Partners to share ideas and thoughts on how
to successfully social market and evaluate the app, including interest in pilot studies.
Objectives:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the formalized partnership between ACF and CDC to nationally implement a mobile app
deigned to connect RHY to heath care and social services.
2. Identify the main components of the central repository of youth shelter centers (e.g. geo-location,
address, phone numbers, contacts, center characteristics and all associated services).
3. Describe how the application will allow them to keep track of shelter bed inventory in real time.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of how the Web Map provides locator functions for RHY service providers
5. Discuss at least 5 ideas related to what additional functionalities may be needed to enhance/improve
the mobile application.
6. Discuss at least 5 ideas of how to successfully marketing and evaluate the mobile app.
Presenters:
William Bentley, Associate Commissioner, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Samantha Williams, Centers for Disease and Control
David Jenkins, Office of Information Services
Erich Oliphant, Office of Information Services
Bhupendra Sheoran, YTH: Youth*Tech*Health
Living Program, Maternity Group Home, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth,
General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom C
This annual session is an opportunity to hear from federal officials. Please review the addendum in the
conference materials for a detailed description of this session.
Chris Holloway, RHY Program Manager, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Dr. Resa Matthew, Director of Division of Adolescent Development and Support,
Dr. Brett Brown, Director of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation, Family and
Youth Services Bureau
Telisa Burt, Social Science Analyst, Office of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation
Karen DeBlasio, HMIS Subject Matter Expert, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Michelle Budzek, President, The Partnership Center, Ltd., a HUD HMIS Technical
Assistance Provider
29
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Napoleon Ballroom
Floor 3
Follow signs
Join your colleagues for the 2015 National RHY Grantees Conference reception. The reception will feature
this year’s Poster Session and entertainment from The Young and The Talented, a youth brass band from
McDonogh 35 High School. This will be an opportunity to meet your colleagues and have some fun. Stop
by before enjoying your evening in New Orleans.
The Poster Session will feature a select group of agencies who will share what they are doing with
research, data collection, and programmatic initiatives through creative posters. Participants will be able
to mingle, learn, and share with other RHY grantees.
1. Hawaii Youth Services Network
Representative: Judith Clark MPH, Executive Director
Category: Specialized Sub-Population Focus/Programming
2. City House
Representative: Daphne Adams, Outreach and Case Manager
Category: Youth Driven, Youth Guided Programs and Initiatives
3. With Friends, Inc.
Representative: Monica Bibb, Executive Administrative Assistant
Category: Community Partnerships, Collaborative Initiatives
4. DIAL/SELF Youth and Community Services
Representative: Lisa Goldsmith, Senior Director for Programs
Category: Specialized Sub-Population Focus/Programming
5. Sea Haven, Inc.
Representative: Christina Jackson, Executive Director
Category: Community Partnerships, Collaborative Initiatives
6. Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
Representative: Melissa Brockie, Program Manager for the Arizona Partnership to End Domestic
Trafficking
Category: Research
7. Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development
Representative: Robert Luft, Program Manager
Category: Innovative, Promising Programming
8. New Beginnings
Representative: Dr. Charles Rhoades, Evaluation Consultant
Category: Data Collection/Outcome Measurement/Program Evaluation
30
“On this Veterans Day,
let us remember the service of our veterans,
and let us renew our national promise
to fulfill our sacred obligations
to our veterans and their families
who have sacrificed so much
so that we can live free.” ~ Dan Lipinski
Wednesday, Nov. 11
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Room 7
Conducting an Accurate Youth Count:
Lessons From the Field in Conducting a Count of Homeless Youth in a Rural State
Summary:
The issue of conducting an accurate count of homeless youth has been a topic of concern for many years.
Youth are historically highly mobile, and couch surf or double up, making them difficult to find. Point In
Time (PIT) counts are a good start but have often missed many homeless youth. This presentation will
share the results of a homeless youth count conducted in Maine in May 2015. Results of the count will be
shared, as well as some lessons learned from the field and recommendations for other organizations that
are interested in conducting similar counts in their communities.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of the challenges associated with and the importance
of conducting an accurate count of homeless youth.
2. To provide participants with a review of findings and recommendations from the homeless youth
count conducted in Maine in the spring of 2015.
3. To provide participants with a beginning framework for how to conduct a similar count in their
communities.
Presenters:
Dr. Thomas Chalmers McLaughlin, Professor, University of New England
Jon Bradley, Associate Director, Preble Street
Basic Center Program – Shelter, Executive Leadership, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the RHY
Room 10
Changing the Money Mindset
Summary:
Money can represent power, control, acceptance, freedom, and other strong feelings that can be hot
buttons for young adults. Spending patterns reflect the unconscious mindset that influences our choices
in relationships, education, jobs, and other life choices. Awareness of one’s “Money Habitudes,” helps
youth to discern their financial choices, develop healthy communication, and respond wisely to everyday
financial challenges. Attendees will interact in an activity that builds confidence in financial literacy.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the opportunity to explore the different ways people behave around
money.
2. To provide participants with the experience of a hands-on activity that reveals habits and attitudes
that impact a person’s financial behavior.
3. To provide participants with the skills to process how having a balanced view of money impacts
communication, goal setting, and life decisions.
Presenter:
Dixie Zittlow, Director of Outreach, The Dibble Institute
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Basic Center Program - Host Home, Transitional Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home,
Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision,
Direct Work with Youth, General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 16 Preventing LGBTQ Youth Homelessness: An Update from the
LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative
Summary:
In 2014, community members in Hamilton County, Ohio, and the greater Houston area in Texas,
began a six-month strategic planning process for the HUD-led LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention
Initiative. In this workshop, local partners and the technical assistance team will share updates one
year after implementation began. Come hear about promising strategies for preventing LGBTQ youth
homelessness in your home communities.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative.
2. To provide participants with information about the early successes in the implementation of the
community plans in Houston, Texas, and Hamilton County, Ohio.
3. To provide participants with the lessons learned regarding collaborative community planning
processes around preventing LGBTQ youth homelessness.
Presenter:
Dr. Jama Shelton, Deputy Executive Director, True Colors Fund
Dr. Jeffery Poirier, Principal Researcher, American Institute for Research
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Street Outreach Program, Executive
Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work
with Youth, Outreach, General, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 12 Why Live Outside: An Overview of Youth Street Culture and its Necessary Influence
in Programs Designed to Serve Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Summary:
Understanding homeless youth culture and the diverse experiences youth have had while living outside
is a necessary first step to guide any youth-driven program. This interactive workshop seeks to explore
youths’ cultural experience while living outside, i.e. who they “Crew Up” with, what they do while outside,
why they choose to stay outside, and what subcultural experiences they create for themselves. The
presenters will also share their experiences with creating radically youth-informed programs.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of homeless youth culture and the diversity
exemplified within this population.
2. To provide participants with a holistic understanding of youth experiencing homelessness and the
social locations in which they live.
3. To provide participants with best practices for creating and sustaining genuine youth-informed
programs.
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Wednesday, Nov. 11
Presenters:
Erica Fonseca, Director of Programs, Wind Youth Services
Suzi Dotson, Executive Director, Wind Youth Services
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Street Outreach Program, Program
Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 18 Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Summary:
This presentation will summarize the rights of unaccompanied homeless youth under the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act. It will explain the definition of homeless and will give an in-depth
explanation of rights and services available to students under the law. Attendees will learn how school
districts serve unaccompanied homeless youth and what this means for runaway youth. There will be
time for scenarios so that attendees will gain a greater understanding of the law.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of educational rights for runaway and homeless youth.
2. To provide participants with information about how they can help unaccompanied homeless youth
stay in school.
3. To provide participants with links between RHY programs and local school districts to improve
collaboration.
Presenter:
Karen Madrone, Program Specialist, National Center for Homeless Education
Transitional Living Program, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 4
“Stay connected” Social Media with Community Partners
Summary:
After a successful 2014 campaign, which received national honors and worldwide attention, Bellefaire
JCB maintained community interest in RHY issues through a second successful campaign in 2015. Hear
about the second year of Take a Closer Look, and learn how to increase awareness through partnerships,
social media, and marketing strategies.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the results of the social media campaign from 2014 and 2015.
2. To provide participants increased knowledge about how to stay connected with community partners.
3. To provide participants with information on how Bellefaire JCB used social media including Twitter,
Facebook, and group emails.
4. To provide participants with information about developing a social media action plan for their
agency.
Presenters:
Karen McHenry, Program Manager, Homeless and Missing Youth Programs, Bellefaire JCB
Stephanie Senter, Director of The Gerson School, Bellefaire JCB
34
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Executive Leadership, Program Management/
Supervision, Outreach, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop
topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 6
The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Boys, Adolescent Males, and Trans Youth
Summary:
This workshop will provide information to participants on the impact of childhood trauma as a
precursor to human trafficking of males/trans youth. Identification of adverse childhood experiences
and behavioral indications will be discussed to better provide participants with information on how to
identify their clients that are at risk for or being actively trafficked, with an emphasis on intervention and
treatment.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the tools to identify the culture of commercial sexual exploitation of
male/trans youth.
2. To provide participants with the skill to identify behaviors that may indicate male/trans youth who
are at risk for or are being actively exploited.
3. To provide participants with the knowledge of various intervention techniques to implement in
working with their male/trans youth with an emphasis on treatment.
Presenter:
Steven Procopio, Program Director, Roxbury Youthworks, Inc.
Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the
RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 3
ARC Strategy Initiative with RHY Grantees
Summary:
This workshop will provide an overview of the Children’s Mental Health Services Resource Center’s
organizational intervention strategy, which is labeled ARC for Availability, Responsiveness, and
Continuity. The strategy has been repeatedly proven to improve service quality and outcomes by
improving Organizational Social Contexts (cultures and climates). Dr. Hemmelgarn, along with RHYTTAC
staff, have been working with several RHY grantees over the past several months to implement strategies
from the ARC intervention. Representatives will share their experience and lessons learned in the
process.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with information regarding the ARC strategy to improve service quality and
outcomes in RHY programs.
2. To provide participants with information on lessons learned by participant grantees. Participants will
receive updates of the process, outcomes, and plans.
35
Wednesday, Nov. 11
3. To provide participants with information on how ARC strategies and this initiative will benefit their
programs and work.
Presenter:
Dr. Anthony Hemmelgarn, Research Scientist II, Children’s Mental Health Services Research Center
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, Executive Leadership,
Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 15
Uploading Your RHYMIS Data: Who, What, Where, When, and How
Summary:
Grantees will review what is required regarding the uploading, twice a year, of de-identified RHY data,
extracted from HMIS. They’ll learn what is expected by grantees vs. HMIS vendors, explore the benefits
to clients and grantees, review what is new regarding past data requirements, and be trained in how to
upload RHY data and meet data quality requirements. There will be Q&A and discussion.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of the RHYMIS requirements.
2. To provide participants with an understanding of grantee responsibilities vs. HMIS vendor responsibilities.
3. To provide participants with information on deadlines for data submission.
4. To provide participants with the know how to meet data quality requirements.
5. To provide participants with the skills and information to upload RHY data to the RHY Repository.
6. To provide participants with information on where to find resources to help in the process.
Presenters:
John McGah, RHYMIS Project Director, The American Institutes for Research/National Center on Family
Homelessness
Candice Hacker, Industry Compliance Officer, ART Gallery/ART Dev Manager, Bowman Systems
Room 9
Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy Among Runaway and Homeless Youth
Summary:
Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Programs promote positive outcomes for children, youth and
families by supporting a wide range of comprehensive services and collaborations at national, state,
tribal, and local levels. APP supports educational programming on contraception, abstinence, adulthood
preparation, and the prevention of the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Runaway and homeless
youth (RHY) and APP both target overlapping populations of vulnerable youth - youth with a history
of abuse and neglect, youth involved in foster care and juvenile justice systems, tribal youth, and
youth marginalized due to ethnicity, background, gender identification, and social and educational
development. APP grantees use evidence-based and promising practice curricula within a variety
of environments (e.g. in schools, community and church programs, runaway and homeless shelters,
36
alternative education programs, detention centers, clinics, public health agencies and colleges).
A number of programs currently funded by APP actively include RHY as their targets. Combining the
efforts of RHY programs and experience with that of APP can broaden the breadth and reach of the
shared goal to prepare youth for successful transition to adulthood.
This presentation goal is to identity strategies that foster collaborations among APP and RHY grantees
within regions, states, Tribes, and local communities. The workshop will also provide a description of
the APP Program as well as strategies and models that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing
pregnancy among RHY and other at-risk populations of youth.
Objectives:
TBA
Presenter:
LeBretia White, Program Manager, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Workshop Session IV
Room 4
Diversity and the Relationship Effect
Summary:
Via lecture and activities this workshop will provide participants the opportunity to view diversity as
something other than compliance, tolerance, charity, sensitivity, and special treatment for some people.
Participants will learn the importance of using differences as an opportunity to recognize similarities.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview covering the language and imagery of diversity.
2. To provide participants with an overview of what diversity is and isn’t and its importance to clients and staff.
3. To provide participants with the opportunity to explore the various dimensions of diversity, the
attitudes they spawn, and the infinite ways people are similar rather than different.
Presenter:
Naeem Slaise, Safety and Professional Development Manager, Epworth Children and Family Services
Outreach, General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic,
Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
37
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Room 16
Representing RHY in Your Local Continuum of Care
Summary:
Our House, Inc. has been a member of the local Continuum of Care (CoC) since 1999 when the CoC was
first founded. Through consistent and active participation, runaway and homeless youth (RHY) services
have been and remain a priority in the Continuum’s ten-year plan to end homelessness. This workshop
is designed to help other RHY grantees secure a place in their local continuums to advocate for RHY
populations, ensure they are counted during Point in Time, and ensure their needs are a priority during
funding decisions and allocations of other resources.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of the role of CoC within the community.
2. To provide participants with a general understanding of the importance of advocating for RHY during
the CoC’s planning for homeless services and funding allocations.
3. To provide participants with strategies for using CoC membership to coordinate services and network
with community agencies to address the needs of RHY, including use of the coordinated assessment.
Presenters:
Ella Nimmers, Executive Director, Our House, Inc.
Kimberly Gaut, Transitional Living Program Director, Our House, Inc.
Program Management/Supervision, Outreach, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in
the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 9
Services and Strategies to Address the Needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth
Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning
Summary:
This workshop synthesizes data from nine Transitional Living Programs, self-identified as working with
LGBTQ populations, to provide insight about the specific service needs of this large and marginalized
subgroup of homeless youth. This workshop provides recommendations for developing services and
policies that affirm LGBTQ youth in addition to training providers to be aware of the unique situations
and needs of these youth.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with recommendations for developing services and policies that affirm LGBTQ youth.
2. To provide participants with information about the unique situations and needs of unstably housed
LGBTQ youth.
3. To provide participants with a more comprehensive understanding of how agencies can create a safe
and affirming space for unstably housed LGBTQ youth.
Presenters:
Dr. Henrika McCoy, Assistant Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Jesse Holzman, Project Coordinator, University of Illinois at Chicago
38
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Transitional Living Program,
Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management,
Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, New to the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 10
Designing and Implementing a “Transition in Place” Permanent
Supportive Housing Model
Summary:
Preble Street Teen Services has developed a “Transition in Place” Permanent Supportive Housing
Program, which is being evaluated by ABT Associates. This presentation will explain the process of
developing such a model in Portland, Maine. It will detail the collaborative effort of Preble Street and
ABT Associates, which implemented a low-barrier program and collected data to measure efficacy and
impact.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an explanation of a “Transition in Place” model.
2. To provide participants with an overview of the steps involved in program design and
implementation.
3. To provide participants with an understanding of the challenges involved in working concurrently on
program design, implementation, and evaluation.
4. To provide participants with an understanding of how to balance program needs and youth
development with those of an evaluation team.
5. To provide participants with an opportunity to discuss challenges and successes.
Presenters:
Greg Perchik, Teen Services Coordinator, Preble Street
Charlotte Detroy, Supervisor, Preble Street
Meghan Henry, Associate, ABT Associates
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Executive
Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work
with Youth, Outreach, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 18
Work Fast: An Innovative Approach to Supportive Employment
Summary:
This workshop will discuss an innovative supportive employment program known as “Work Fast”. This
program allows Nicollet Square to provide a paid internship with an employment partner within 15
days of move in to the Transitional Living Program, ensuring that youth will receive valuable work skills
and have the ability to pay rent within their first month. Employment partners receive the training and
support needed to be teachers and mentors to the youth interning with their business.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants an overview of Nicollet Square’s subsidized employment program.
2. To provide participants with information about preparing youth for employment through a paid
orientation.
39
Wednesday, Nov. 11
3. To provide participants with information on partnering with local employers to help ensure a positive
experience for youth and employers.
4. To provide participants with tips on how to incorporate aspects of supportive employment into your
Transitional Living Program or Maternity Group Home program.
Presenters:
Jennifer Lock, Nicollet Square Collaborative Partners Manager, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
Nicollet Square
Rachel Hatch, Nicollet Square Program Manager, YouthLink
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Transitional Living Program,
Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management,
Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 6
Low-Barrier Assessment in Street Outreach Programming
Summary:
Street outreach programs maintain a low-barrier approach to meeting youth where they are. This may
cause tension when complying with state and federal grants that call for “standardized assessment
methods” in programs that are by nature very low-barrier and non-invasive. In this training, the
presenters will go through Urban Peak’s approach to standardized assessment using a simple tool and
will discuss how Urban Peak maintains grant requirements.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of Urban Peak’s low-barrier assessment tool.
2. To provide participants with evidence-supported tools for assessment.
3. To provide participants with a forum to discuss best practices in regards to assessment and support
for meeting grant requirements.
Presenters:
Clayton Gonzales, Supervisor, Urban Peak
Kelsey Antun, Drop-In Center and Outreach Supervisor, Urban Peak Drop-In Center
Street Outreach Program, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision,
Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY
Room 7
Ethics for Child and Youth Care Worker Professionals
Summary:
The workshop will provide a review of the Child and Youth Care Worker Code of Ethics, with an
examination of its layout, principles, and values. The facilitator will lead a discussion that addresses the
Code’s application to practice. Participants will also discuss efforts to promote the professionalization of
the youth care field.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the Child and Youth Care Worker Code of Ethics and present an overview.
40
2. To provide participants with an understanding of the principles, values, and ideologies behind the
Code so it can be applied to practice.
3. To provide participants with an understanding of the Code’s connection to the professionalization of
child and youth work through its application in professional practice.
4. To provide participants with ways to identify, understand, and begin to work through obstacles that
hinder ethical team collaboration.
Presenter:
Hector Sapien, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Child and Youth Care Professional, Academy for
Competent Youth Work
Outreach, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced
in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 12 Motivational Interviewing for Working with Homelessness: Introduction
Summary:
Client motivation is a significant predictor of successful behavior change. Motivational Interviewing
(MI) is an empirically supported approach to counseling clients with motivation issues. MI is particularly
useful when engaging with clients experiencing homelessness who have a variety of psychosocial
concerns. Participants in this workshop will be exposed to the MI philosophy, theory, and skills as they
relate to the use of MI as an evidence-based practice for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with a definition and integration of the spirit and principles of MI.
2. To provide participants with practice in the opening strategies of MI: Open-ended questions,
Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries (OARS).
3. To provide participants with skills for “Rolling with Resistance” to change.
Presenter:
Dr. Leigh Atherton, Clinical Assistant Professor, East Carolina University
Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, General,
Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 3
The Power of Advocacy - There is No Room for Anyone to Sit on the Sidelines
Summary:
The National Network for Youth and our partners want you to be powerful advocates in your local
communities, states, and nation. Attend this session and learn about some of the most effective
strategies that you can use in your advocacy across all levels. Worried about lobbying restrictions?
41
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Don’t be. We will teach you about the difference between advocacy and lobbying so that you can educate
policymakers with confidence. Do you partner with youth? You should. Partnering with youth is more
powerful than these words can express. Hear about it directly from a National Network Youth Advisor. As
an up-and-coming advocate herself, the presenter will tell you about the most effective ways to partner
with youth, from forming policy recommendations to advocating for their adoption and implementation.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with a clear understanding of the congressional process to reauthorize the
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
2. To provide participants with a clear understanding of the federal budget appropriations process.
3. To provide participants with information about how they can be actively engaged in educating the
public and policy makers about the needs of youth and families served by Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act programs.
Presenter:
Darla Bardine, Executive Director, National Network for Youth
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, all RHY staff interested
in policy, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 15
General Federal Session Follow-Up Summary:
This workshop will focus on challenges related to the RHYMIS/HMIS migration including: data
confidentiality and data sharing; the collection of data on sensitive topics; collecting individual level data
on Street Outreach Program recipients; and local Continuums of Care.
Objectives:
TBA
Presenter:
Dr. Brett Brown, Director of Data, Analysis, Research and Evaluation, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Living Program, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, General, New to the RHY
field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Keynote Session and Luncheon
Hilton Exhibition Center Floor 2
Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator, Region VI
NCFY Mural Winner Presentation
Gateway Community Services,
of Child and Family Charities, East Lansing, MI
42
Keynote Panel
Summary:
This keynote session features a panel of expert youths who will share their experience and expertise about
how RHY programs support youth success. The panel will share how RHY programs and staff supported
their success and will talk about what works and what doesn’t. The panel will provide insights and
recommendations on what RHY programs can do to foster the success of youth.
Panelists:
Kaysie Getty, Syncere Mitchell, Anthony Ross, Jessica McCormick, and Starcia Ague
Panel facilitated by:
Paul Hamann, The Night Ministry
Laurie Jackson, National Safe Place Network
2:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Optional Site Visits
Buses for the site visits will be parked along the side drive, directly across from the conference registration
area. Please have your ticket ready. Buses will depart promptly at 2:15 p.m.
Youth Empowerment Project
The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a community-based 501 (c) 3
non-profit organization. YEP’s founders started the organization in
2004 in order to assist young people returning to New Orleans from
correctional facilities. Since its inception, YEP has earned local and
statewide recognition for being at the cutting edge of progressive
programs for at-risk youth. We started as the first-of-its-kind re-entry
program for juvenile offenders in Louisiana and now we are the region’s most comprehensive and established
agency working with at-risk, court-involved and out-of-school youth. We have expanded our original mission
statement to meet the increased needs of our community post-Katrina, starting an educational program for
out-of-school youth in 2006. YEP now runs eight programs out of seven locations which provide over 1,000
youth annually with GED and literacy services; job skill development; mentoring; intensive case management;
enrichment and summer activities; and a holistic set of client-centered ancillary wrap-around services that are
unique to each youth and their individual circumstances. www.youthempowermentproject.org
Grantee Site Visit – Boys Town Louisiana
From Boys Town Louisiana web site: “Boys Town Louisiana opened in
1989, and today meets the needs of youth and families through a variety
of Integrated Continuum of Care® services. The site offers Diagnostic
and Assessment Services to provide immediate help to youth in dangerous situations. The site has three
Family Homes for Adolescents in New Orleans and provides In-Home Family ServicesSM to troubled families
through its office in Baton Rouge. At-risk children find a safe place to live through Boys Town Louisiana’s Foster
Family ServicesSM, including the Host Home program that provides short-term emergency care. These services
and programs touch the lives of 7,600 children and families in Louisiana each year.” Boys Town Louisiana is
headquartered in New Orleans. Dennis Dillon, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director. Boys Town Louisiana
operates a Basic Center program. www.boystown.org/locations/louisiana
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Wednesday, Nov. 11
Covenant House
This guided tour of the area will highlight its unique culture and history.
RHYTTAC will work in partnership with Covenant House to provide a
specialized tour focusing on work with homeless youth and outreach.
From Covenant House web site: “For 30 years, Covenant House New Orleans
has provided a safe haven for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16-21. Our
specially trained team reaches out to homeless kids on the street and in
abandoned buildings. In the past year, our average daily census has increased from 45 to over 100 kids a night.
The doors of our Crisis Center are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.” www.covenanthouseno.org
2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Workshop Series V
Room 7
Foundations of Child and Youth Care Work Practice:
Professionalization through Certification
Summary:
This workshop will provide an overview of the emerging development and growth of Child and Youth
Care Work as a profession, from before its Code of Ethics to the establishment of the much needed
certification process. In addition, the current related Foundations of Child and Youth Care Practice Course
will be reviewed and briefly introduced with a discussion of how it relates to certification.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of the growth, development, and necessity of Child and
Youth Work as a professional practice.
2. To provide participants a contextual understanding of how certain benchmarks, such as the Code of
Ethics, professional competencies, and certification, promote its professional development.
3. To provide participants with a brief overview of the relationship between the Foundations of Child
and Youth Care Work course and professional growth.
4. To provide participants with information about available training and certification levels.
Presenter:
Hector Sapien, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Child and Youth Care Professional, Academy for
Competent Youth Work
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Transitional Living Program - Host
Home, Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision,
Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/
workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 15 Motivational Interviewing for Working with Homelessness: Advanced
Summary:
Motivational Interviewing (MI) has been shown to be an effective intervention to improve rapport and
increase retention and outcomes of persons with various mental health and/or substance abuse issues,
particularly for individuals experiencing homelessness. Participants in this Advanced MI workshop
44
will learn and practice advanced skills for eliciting change talk, rolling with resistance, and enhancing
motivation for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of the unique needs of the homeless population in
the use of MI.
2. To provide participants with practice in advanced skills to elicit “Change Talk.”
3. To provide participants with skills for developing a holistic MI-based change plan for the homeless
population.
Presenter:
Dr. Leigh Atherton, Clinical Assistant Professor, East Carolina University
Case Management, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, General, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 10
Inspiring Action Through Storytelling
Summary:
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to make an emotional connection with prospective
supporters of your organization and keep your current supporters engaged. There is an art to telling a
story. This workshop will offer you the tools and techniques to better articulate your organization’s true
impact and convey your stories with power, genuineness, passion, and humility.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the skills to integrate storytelling into fundraising activities.
2. To provide participants with involvement in the art of narration.
3. To provide participants with the recognition of the impact of storytelling as a way to connect with supporters.
Presenter:
Joan Neilan
Executive Leadership, Program Management/Supervision, Outreach, General, New to the RHY field/
workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 4 Successfully Engaging Pregnant/Parenting RHY
Summary:
Participants will gain a greater understanding of how to effectively engage homeless youth who are
expecting a child or currently parenting. Different strategies and techniques will be discussed as related
to helping these youth overcome barriers and addressing the stress of having a child.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with skills for identifying stressors that young mothers face, which compound
the issues of being a homeless youth.
2. To provide participants with tools for working with this population, which will help them balance the
stressors of day-to-day parenting and navigate the systems that can assist with independence.
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Wednesday, Nov. 11
3. To provide participants with the opportunity to discuss ways the different system partners can better
engage and serve this population on the macro level.
4. To provide participants with an open discussion on successes that those attending have experienced
while working with the RHY population and how those successes can be duplicated by other
providers and RHY partners.
5. To provide participants with tips for maintaining compassion not only for the population we serve
but ourselves as the professionals serving the RHY youth.
Presenter:
Erika Williams, Program Director, Children’s Aid Society
Brooke Hill, Social Worker, Children’s Aid Society
Maternity Group Home, General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 3
Using Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Increase Relational
Competencies and Engage Youth
Summary:
The presentation will focus on the adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for use with at-risk
youth and will include findings from the YMCA’s Connection Project, an ACF-funded demonstration project.
The use of DBT and mindfulness with this population has been successful in increasing engagement in
services as well as increasing relational competencies. The presenters will also share concrete and practical
ways that providers can integrate this evidence-informed approach into existing services.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants the opportunity to learn about the importance of building youths’ abilities to
identify and maintain healthy relationships.
2. To provide participants with information, based on experience and findings, about how the DBT
model works with the transition-age youth population and how audience members can incorporate
this approach into their current programs.
3. To provide participants the opportunity to discuss and learn more about involving youth in program
design and implementation.
4. To provide participants the opportunity to discuss the Connections Project’s lessons learned about
youth recruitment, retention, and engagement.
Presenters:
Krysta Esquivel, Associate Executive Director, YMCA Youth and Family Services
Kristina Halmai, Clinical Coordinator, YMCA Youth and Family Services
Sophia Lee, Research Associate, Harder+Company Community Research
Alisha Eftekhari, Connections Coach, YMCA Youth and Family Services
Nick DeVico, YMCA Youth and Family Services
Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home,
Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision,
Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, General, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
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Room 12
Better Together: Building Partnerships To Identify and Serve Victims of
Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Domestic Sex Trafficking
Summary:
This presentation will highlight the benefits of a quality partnership between service providers and law
enforcement in Anchorage, Alaska. The positive outcomes include identification of and service to more
victims, collaboration and leadership in raising awareness and training resulting in more pimps and traffickers
brought to justice. By providing an example for other communities, the partnership illustrates a foundation for
a larger multidisciplinary community response to commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with information about the benefits of a quality partnership between service
providers and law enforcement and information about how such a partnership enhances service to
and identification of commercial sex trafficking victims.
2. To provide participants with an example of a partnership between service providers and law
enforcement, and explain how it began and why it has been so successful in Anchorage.
3. To provide participants with inspiration and information about how to facilitate quality partnerships
between service providers and law enforcement in other cities.
Presenters:
Josh Louwerse, Outreach Program Coordinator, Covenant House Alaska
Jolene Goeden, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Field Office
Program Management/Supervision, Outreach, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 9
Empowering Our Youth: Youth Advisory Boards
Summary:
Runaway and homeless youth are experts in their own experiences and staff members have a duty to
empower and engage this expertise. Implementing a Youth Advisory Board at RHY grantee agencies will
demonstrate to the runaway and homeless youth we work with that their voices and opinions matter.
It will strengthen programming and outcomes because they will be informed by the input, advice,
and investment of the youth actually using services. Finally, a strong Youth Advisory Board will build
community and trust across all levels of an organization.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of how best to structure and manage a Youth Advisory
Board for their organizations.
2. To provide participants with insight into best practices to empower youth to become leaders and
encourage their participation on a Youth Advisory Board.
3. To provide participants with concrete examples of Youth Advisory Board activities, meetings,
trainings, and community building events that can be replicated in their organization.
4. To provide participants with an understanding of how a Youth Advisory Board will positively effect
outcomes.
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Wednesday, Nov. 11
Presenters:
Alex Howard, Youth Advisory Board Coordinator, Larkin Street Youth Services
Martha Mar, Director of Larkin Street Academy, Larkin Street Youth Services
Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with
Youth, Outreach, General, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 6
Funding the Mission: Victims of Crime Act Funding for FYSB Programs
Summary:
This session will help RHY staff understand how they can apply for Victims of Crime Act funding (VOCA)
to help fund their work helping transitional age youth become self-sufficient.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with the history of VOCA funding.
2. To provide participants with an explanation of eligibility criteria for VOCA funding and how funding
can be used within RHY programs.
3. To provide participants with insight into building a strong application for funding and the ways
programs can align their application with VOCA funding priorities.
Presenters:
Michael Sheline, Assistant Section Chief, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Leadership, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, Experienced in the
RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Room 12
Workshop Session VI
Youth Development as a Community Outreach Strategy
Summary:
Casa Youth Shelter provides a Youth Leadership Program for high school teens who are interested in
volunteer work with the shelter. This program provides youth with an opportunity to join the outreach
team while developing their leadership skills and providing asset building. Additionally, this program
allows youth to better understand community issues while expanding the shelter’s access to a wider
base of teens for outreach.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of how to utilize local, community-based youth volunteers
as part of an outreach team.
2. To provide participants with an innovative programmatic approach to linking youth development
with RHY prevention and intervention.
3. To provide participants with an understanding of how to utilize youth volunteers to better
understand current teen trends.
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4. To provide participants with an understanding of how to utilize a Youth Development program to
build your donor base and increase community involvement.
5. To provide participants with a sustainability plan for transitioning youth volunteers to future staff,
adult volunteers, funders, and/or members of the Board of Directors.
Presenter:
Pamela Sepulveda, Community Outreach Director, Casa Youth Shelter
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Executive Leadership, Program Management/Supervision, Outreach, New
to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY
Room 7
Building Life Skills and Resiliency in At-Risk Youth Utilizing National Runaway
Safeline’s Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum
Summary:
Participants will examine National Runaway Safeline’s services and the Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention
Curriculum (RPC), a free evidence-based life skills curriculum for youth. The presenter will provide an
interactive overview of the curriculum content and diverse methods of implementation, including
facilitation tips for how participants can utilize this resource to benefit their agency and their specific
interactions with youth.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with information about National Runaway Safeline and its services, including
research that led to the creation of the evidence-based, Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum.
2. To provide participants an overview of the fourteen modules that comprise the Let’s Talk Curriculum,
including youth-approved activities.
3. To provide participants with specific facilitation tips for users to learn best practices for presenting
the curriculum to the youth they serve.
Presenters:
Brittany Mabry, Training and Education Manager, National Runaway Safeline
Rebecca Bowlin, Volunteer Coordinator, National Runaway Safeline
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/
Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, General, New to the RHY
Room 15
Aftercare: Not Just a Service
Summary:
This workshop seeks to inspire participants to re-examine their thoughts and practices around
aftercare services for youth in their agencies. Presenters will share from experience the best practices
and challenges of providing aftercare services to youth experiencing homelessness. This workshop
will present ideas and provoke discussion on concepts such as “planting seeds,” building long-term
relationships, maintaining boundaries, building staff and youth resiliency, and the variety of aftercare
services agencies can provide.
49
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with a better understanding of the importance of aftercare services and longterm relationships with homeless youth.
2. To provide participants with an overview of Los Angeles Youth Network’s philosophy and practice of
engagement and aftercare.
3. To provide participants with a space to share and explore with others the best practices in aftercare
services.
4. To provide participants with inspiration for creatively developing and implementing aftercare
services with their youth.
Presenters:
Frank McAlpin, Director of Transitional Living Program, Los Angeles Youth Network
Caitlin Crandall, Case Manager and Aftercare Specialist, The Los Angeles Youth Network
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Transitional
Living Program - Host Home, Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program
Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, General, New to the RHY field/workshop
topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 10
Innovative Collaborations to Improve Health Outcomes for
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Summary:
The training will describe experience in developing health partnerships. Presenters will explain the
challenges faced by Transitional Living Programs, Maternity Group Homes, Street Outreach Programs, and
Basic Center Programs in implementing these partnerships. These collaborations required a comprehensive
assessment and redesign of an existing data collection system and resulted in the program becoming more
data-driven and evidence based. The challenges of working with multiple providers required programs to
improve intra-agency communication.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of the complexities of forming health collaboratives.
2. To provide participants with knowledge regarding some of the pitfalls that programs could encounter.
3. To provide participants with the ability to recognize the importance of data in evaluating program
outcomes.
4. To provide participants with the skills to be aware of the health concerns surrounding RHY youth.
Presenters:
Andrew Palomo, Research and Evaluation Coordinator, Valley Youth House
Catherine M. Ehrig, LVPG - Family Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Kim Wuerestle, Shelter Case Manager, Valley Youth House
Elizabeth Allen MA, Valley Youth House
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, Partnering agencies,
Executive Leadership, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct
50
Work with Youth, Outreach, General, New to the RHY field/workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/
workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 4
It’s OK to Call Us Queer and Other Things to Know About Us
Summary:
This presentation is part of an educational outreach done by Lutheran Social Service’s Together for Youth,
a social support group for LGBTQ and allied youth. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the
challenges young people face, from living life in the closet to being out and proud. In addition to personal
stories, topics covered will include presumed heterosexuality, heterosexual privilege, cisgender privilege,
homophobia, and transphobia. Micro-aggressions and micro-affirmations are covered, as are the
important roles of allies and the unique conditions of LGBTQ youth who are victims of human trafficking.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an understanding of terminology specific to the LGBTQ community.
2. To provide participants with knowledge of how social conditions, both historical and present day,
influence the lives of LGBTQ people in positive and negative ways.
3. To provide participants with the ability to distinguish between personal, institutional, and internalized
homophobia/transphobia, and to increase familiarity with ways to counteract their influences.
Presenters:
Kathy Hermes, Program Coordinator, Lutheran Social Service
Paige Smith, Program Coordinator LSS Teen Clinic, Lutheran Social Service
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Basic Center Program - Host Home, Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living
Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, General, New to the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 3
Breaking Down the Silos:
How Can RHY Grantees Integrate Services for Victims of Human Trafficking?
Summary:
RHY grantees are increasingly aware of trafficking victimization among their clients. This session presents
early experience of three demonstration projects funded by ACF to provide victim-centered and traumainformed services to domestic trafficking victims by developing partnerships among allied community
professionals. Each project will share lessons learned during their initial year, with particular focus on
diverse client needs, strategies for engaging and serving clients, and common and unique challenges
across disparate settings.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of the fundamental components of a successful start-up
project that serves victims of human trafficking.
2. To provide participants with effective strategies for engaging a complex network of community
partners.
3. To provide participants with suggestions for completing informative community needs assessments.
4. To provide participants with practical tips for engaging and retaining survivors of human trafficking
with their services.
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Wednesday, Nov. 11
Presenters:
Melissa Brockie, Program Manager of the Arizona Partnership to End Domestic Trafficking, Tumbleweed
Center for Youth Development
Jaime Bedard, Anti-trafficking Coordinator, Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, Steps to End
Family Violence
Merissa Gremminger, Public Health Social Worker, RTI International
Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home, Maternity Group Home, Clinical/Counseling/Case
Management, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with Youth, General, New to the RHY field/
workshop topic
Room 6
Lessons Learned in Creating Programs with Nontraditional Community Partners
Summary:
In this presentation, leadership staff from YouthLink will discuss lessons learned from the development
and design of three innovative programs. The SISTERS program works with young people who have been
involved in commercial sexual exploitation. The Downtown 100 Youth Initiative is a collaborative effort
between service providers, the judicial system, and police departments. The Youth Outreach program pairs
homeless youth with street outreach employees to provide peer-to-peer outreach in downtown Minneapolis.
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with information about how to create unique and effective programs that
take advantage of partnerships spanning community systems and sectors.
2. To provide participants an opportunity for a frank discussion of the risks, rewards, limitations, and
expectations involved when working with community partners who may not have experience
working with homeless youth.
3. To provide participants with YouthLink’s experiences with forging mutually beneficial, non-traditional
partnerships with various community systems, including police, educational institutions, the business
sector, city and county governments, and other providers.
Presenters:
Marney Thomas, Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement, YouthLink
Bob Nelson, Director of Operations, YouthLink
Jose Acuna, Outreach Manager, YouthLink
Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Transitional Living Program - Host Home,
Maternity Group Home, Executive Leadership, Program Management/Supervision, Direct Work with
Youth, Outreach, General, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Room 9
The Effects of Drug and Alcohol Use on Adolescent Development
Summary:
This course is designed to provide helping professionals a framework to understand how early exposure
to alcohol and drug use can alter the developmental process in profound ways. This early exposure often
affects a young person’s decision making and ability to form and achieve long-term objectives.
52
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Objectives:
1. To provide participants with an overview of the effects of early alcohol and drug use on personality
development.
2. To provide participants with an overview of the effects of alcohol and drug use on the development
of impulse control.
3. To provide participants with an overview of relationship between alcohol and drug use and risk
taking and impulsivity.
4. To provide participants with an overview of how consequences and rewards interact to shape behaviors.
Presenter:
Eric Rolen, Coordinator of Substance Abuse Services, Youth Services of Tulsa
Basic Center Program - Shelter, Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Group
Home, Clinical/Counseling/Case Management, Direct Work with Youth, Outreach, New to the RHY field/
workshop topic, Experienced in the RHY field/workshop topic, Advanced in the RHY field/workshop topic
Thursday, Nov. 12
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Closing Session
Grand Ballroom
Introduction of Speaker
Jessica McCormick, National Youth Advisory Council
Closing Keynote
Roy Juarez, Jr.
Closing Remarks
RHYTTAC Reminders
Laurie Jackson, President and CEO
National Safe Place Network
Retiring of Colors
Young Marines Color Guard
Orleans Parish Chapter
2015 RHY Grantees Conference Banner - Color Option.pdf 1 10/6/2015 9:28:14 AM
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Annual Banner Signing
Operated by:
November 10-12, 2015
New Orleans, LA
53
My Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 10
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visit Exhibit Booths
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Roundtable Sessions
Location: Grand Ballroom B
My topic: ____________________________________ Table number: _____
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Welcome and Keynote Session
Location: Grand Ballroom C
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Workshop Session I
My region: ________________ Room number: _____
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Lunch Break on my own or with: ________________ Phone: ____________
at: ____________________________________________________________
1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Workshop Session II
My session: __________________________________ Room number: _____
Location: Grand Ballroom C
Location: Napoleon Ballroom - Floor 3
Wednesday, Nov. 11
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visit Exhibit Booths
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Workshop Session IV
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Luncheon, NCFY Mural Winner Announcement, and Keynote Panel
Location: Hilton Exhibition Center - Floor 2
2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Site Visits
My site visit: __________________________________
Location: Buses depart promptly at 2:15 p.m. on Side Drive, Floor 1, across
from conference registration and information center. *Bring site visit ticket.
Workshop Session V
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Continuation of Site Visits
Workshop Session VI
Thursday, Nov. 12
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Closing Keynote Session
Location: Grand Ballroom B and C
Annual Banner Signing
54
Networking
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Organization: ______________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Note: _____________________________________
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others. ~ African Proverb
55
56
Site Visit Bus
Front
Main
Entrance Lobby
Site Visit Bus
Convention Center Drive
World Trade Center
Parking Garage
Side Drive
Floor Plans
Site
Visits
Information Center
10
Sponsor and Exhibit Hall
7
16
Workshop
Room
Grand Ballroom
C
3
6
9
12
15
18
Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop
Room
Room
Room
Room
Room
Room
4
Workshop Workshop Workshop
Room
Room
Room
Grand Ballroom
B
57
Hilton
Exhibition
Center
Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers
National Safe Place Network
Operator of RHYTTAC
2015 National RHY Grantees Conference Host
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) ensures an effective
system of response for youth in crisis through public
and private partnerships at a local, state, and national
level. They do this through the operation of nationally
recognized programs Safe Place, RHYTTAC, HTR3, and NSPN Membership. To learn how NSPN can work
with you to end youth homelessness and ensure safety for all youth in crisis, see page 15 of this program
and visit www.nspnetwork.org. Your needs. Your network. Together we can!
Safe Place
Exhibitor
Safe Place is a national outreach and prevention program
for youth in need of immediate help and safety. This
initiative involves community support to provide safe
havens and resources for youth in crisis. Nearly 20,000
community and business locations nationwide display
the Safe Place sign, making help readily available. Safe Place locations include libraries, schools, YMCAs,
fire stations, fast food restaurants, grocery stores, transit companies, and social service facilities. To learn
more about Safe Place or to bring Safe Place to your community, visit www.nationalsafeplace.org.
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth
RHY Network of Support Partner
The Family and Youth Services Bureau’s National
Clearinghouse on Families and Youth shares information
with the runaway and homeless youth field about research
and effective practices to improve the long-term social and emotional well-being of homeless youth and
their families. NCFY publishes more than 250 articles, podcasts, and videos annually. www.ncfy.acf.hhs.gov
National Runaway Safeline
RHY Network of Support Partner
National Runaway Safeline (NRS) serves as the federally
designated national communication system for runaway
and homeless youth. Each year, NRS makes more than
250,000 connections to help and hope through its
crisis hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY) and online services
(1800RUNAWAY.org). NRS provides crisis and prevention services to youth, families, and community
members throughout the country.
58
True Colors Fund
Supporting Sponsor
Exhibitor
330 West 38th St., Ste. 405, New York, NY 10018
(p) 212.461.4401 (e) jama@truecolorsfund.org
The True Colors Fund works to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth,
creating a world in which young people can be their true selves. www.truecolorsfund.org.
National Network for Youth
Major Advertiser
Exhibitor
741 8th St., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(p) 202.783.7949 (e) darla.bardine@nn4youth.org
The National Network for Youth (NN4Y) advocates
at the federal level on issues affecting homeless and
disconnected youth. They are a membership organization comprised of service providers, advocates,
and individuals with the mission of strengthening the capacity of community-based services by
facilitating resource-sharing and influencing public policy. www.nn4youth.org
Boys Town
FYSB RHY Grantee
Boys town is a FYSB RHY funded program offering
diagnostic and assessment services to provide immediate
help to youth in dangerous situations. www.boystown.org/locations/louisiana
Covenant House New Orleans
FYSB RHY Grantee
For over 25 years, Covenant House New Orleans has
provided a safe haven for homeless, runaway and at-risk
youth ages 16-22. Located on the edge of the French
Quarter, we shelter and care for neglected, abused, and
exploited kids from the New Orleans area and from across the United States. www.covenanthouseno.org
American Institutes for Research
Exhibitor
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a behavioral and
social science research and evaluation organization whose
goal is to use the best science available to bring the most effective ideas and approaches to enhancing
everyday life. www.air.org
59
Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Exhibitor
Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access
to timely, practical resources that help child welfare,
adoption, and related professionals protect children and
strengthen families. www.childwelfare.gov
Lindy & Company
Supporting Advertiser
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Lindy & Company is the gourmet pet treat bakery created
by Daybreak, the Dayton (OH) region’s only resource
center for homeless youth. Lindy’s provides homeless
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youth with a place to develop basic work skills in a
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supportive environment and offers a unique fundraising
opportunity for other nonprofits. View sample products at the conference information center. Contact
Tena Mitchell at MitchellT@daybreakdayton.org or 937-395-4612 for more information.
www.lindyandcompany.org
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60
MANY
Exhibitor
MANY is the only national network of its kind focused
on strengthening outcomes for youth/young adults
at highest risk for victimization and/or delinquency.
Annually we connect with 10,000+ providers, funders
and researchers, and engage with our membership, located in 49 states, to advance the work of
organizations, raise the level of conversation around key issues, drive national research, and increase
support for local programs. www.manynet.org
The National Institute of Mental Health
Exhibitor
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of
the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. The NIMH conducts and supports research on the brain and
disorders of mental health. www.nimh.nih.gov
The Dibble Institute
Exhibitor
One’s love life is NOT neutral! The Dibble Institute offers
curricula to help teens learn, often for the first time, how to
make wise choices about relationships, dating, partners, sex, and more. These programs take an innovative
approach by integrating relationship skills with powerful learning strategies that expand social and
emotional well-being. www.dibbleinstitute.org
Wichita State Center for Combating Human Trafficking
Exhibitor
The Wichita State Center for Combating Human Trafficking
works to empower our nation’s capacity to provide
effective prevention, assessment, identification, intervention, restoration, and prosperity responses
in efforts toward ending abuse and exploitation. This is accomplished through the provision of direct
service facilitation, education, training and awareness, consultation/technical assistance, research, and
policy development. www.combatinghumantrafficking
Become a supporter. Sponsorship, exhibit, and advertising opportunities are available for the
2016 National RHY Grantees Conference and other upcoming events. If you’re interested in being a
National Safe Place Network partner, let us know at communications@nspnetwork.org.
61
Social Media
Communication through social media has become a social norm. We plan to take advantage of this social
norm at the 2015 National RHY Grantees Conference! We invite you to interactively participate in the
conference events by posting, liking, commenting, tweeting, re-tweeting, replying, chatting, blogging,
connecting, following, sharing, skyping, tagging, or whatever you prefer to do these days. Make sure to use
the official conference hashtag #RHYconference2015 to share the great resources you’re gaining and to let
others know how much fun you’re having! We encourage those not in attendance to watch the RHYTTAC
social media pages for live updates!
Share your experience!
#RHYconference2015
facebook.com/rhyttac
twitter.com/rhyttac
By participating, you are granting permission to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical
Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) and National Safe Place Network to use your photograph on its website or in
other printed publications without further consideration, and you acknowledge the organization’s right to
crop or treat the photograph at its discretion. Photo credit will be provided when circumstance allows.
62
Photo Opportunities
The National Safe Place Network - RHYTTAC Communications Team is ready to snap your photo!
Throughout the conference, Elizabeth and Hillary will have “Get Jazzed” photo boards available. These
boards provide an opportunity to share what you’re jazzed about and how you celebrate youth. Write
your message on the board and say cheese! Have your phone handy and Elizabeth and Hillary will take
a photo for you to post on social media. Remember to tag @RHYTTAC and use the official conference
hashtag #RHYconference2015!
Operated by
:
e:
outh Becaus
I Celebrate Y
63
Support
RHYTTAC Advisory Board
Patricia Balke
WI Association for Homeless & Runaway Services
WI
Daniel BallinCovenant House CACA
Nathan Belyeu
Education Development Center: Suicide Prevention Resource Center MA
Danielle ButlerHaven House Inc./Wrenn HouseNC
Maryanne Cunningham
University of Tennessee TN
Alan Detlaff
Kevin Donegan
Katie Doyle
University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work TX
OR
Ozone House
MI
Janus Youth Programs
Rachel FrancisSynergy ServicesMO
Melinda GiovengoYouthCareWA
Lisa GoldsmithDIAL/SELF Youth and Community ServicesMA
Sparky HarlanBill Wilson CenterCA
Melanie HeitkampMountain Plains Youth ServicesND
Kirstin LondonLooking Glass YFSOR
Cindy McCarleyWarren Co. Children’s ShelterMS
Melanie Miller GarrettWichita Children’s HomeKS
Jim Pearce
CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services
FL
Kreig PinkhamWashington Co. YSB VT
Gordon VanceNational Runaway SafelineIL
Chris VenableUrban PeakCO
Kimberly WoodCentre Co. YSBPA
2015 National RHY Grantees Conference Planning Committee
Federal StaffAdvisory Board Members
RHY Grantees
Oluwatoyin AkintoyeKimberly WoodJudith Clark
Rebecca EichelbergerDale HolderPaul Hamann
Pamela MarrKevin DoneganDwayne Ingram
Habibah SulaymanDanielle ButlerBruce Petrie
Gloria Watkins
Deborah Yatsko
Larissa Zoot
64
NSPN - RHYTTAC Team
National Safe Place Network – RHYTTAC Team
Laurie Jackson, President / CEO
ljackson@nspnetwork.org
Tammy Hopper, CSIO / RHYTTAC Program Director
tammy@nspnetwork.org
Isabel Gomez, COO / RHYTTAC Logistics Director igomez@nspnetwork.org
Mark Wolf, RHYTTAC Training Director
mark@rhyttac.net
TC Cassidy, RHYTTAC Technical Assistance/HTR3 Director
tc@rhyttac.net
Elizabeth Smith Miller, Communications Coordinator esmiller@nspnetwork.org
Hillary Ladig, Communications Coordinator hladig@nspnetwork.org
Kim Frierson, RHYTTAC Training Specialist
kim@rhyttac.net
Stacy Meadows, RHYTTAC EBP/Outcome Specialist stacy@rhyttac.net
Eric Tadatada, RHYTTAC Technical Assistance Specialist
eric@rhyttac.net
tella@rhyttac.net
Tella Jones, RHYTTAC Logistics Specialist
April Carthorn, RHYTTAC Generalist Specialist
april@rhyttac.net
Shauna Stubbs, RHYTTAC Principal Investigator shauna@rhyttac.net
Danielle White, Executive Assistant
daniellewhite@nspnetwork.org
Jonathan Krigger, Receptionist
jkrigger@nspnetwork.org
Katie Carter, Director of Education, Research and Public Policy kcarter@nspnetwork.org
Susan Harmon, Director of Safe Place National Operations
Sherry Casey, Safe Place Program Coordinator sharmon@nspnetwork.org
scasey@nspnetwork.org
65
Notes
66
Notes
67
Notes
68
Notes
69
Connect
(w) www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb
(p) 888.290.7233
(w) www.rhyttac.net
(e) info@rhyttac.net
(fb) /rhyttac
(tw) @rhyttac
2429 Crittenden Drive
Louisville, KY 40217
(w) www.nspnetwork.org
70

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - National Safe Place Network

Transcription

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