Continuum of Care (CoC) Web Survey (CoC) Program Directors

2528-XXXX

XX-XX-XXXX

Continuum of Care (CoC) Web Survey Draft

InTRODUCTION

Westat, an independent research firm located in Rockville, Maryland, has been contracted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct a survey of all Continuums of Care (CoCs) to assess the status of homeless, housing, and service systems for youth and young adults, ages 14-24 years old, including those that may be pregnant and parenting. This survey is part of a larger evaluation Westat is conducting on the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project in 13 CoCs across the country. The goals of the survey are to understand for your CoC:

• the types of housing and services available to youth and young adults who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness,

• how youth and young adults access housing and services,

• the degree to which housing and services are coordinated across providers within the youth homeless service systems, and

• the level of coordination between youth homeless service systems and other systems (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice, education) that serve the population of youth and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Instructions

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes to complete for the CoC web survey. HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection information unless that collection displays a valid OMB control number 2528-xxxx, expiring xx-xx-xxxx.

All the information we collect will remain confidential. The information requested under this collection is protected and held private in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1306, 20 CFR 401 and 402, 5 U.S.C.552 (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a (Privacy Act of 1974) and OMB Circular No. A-130. Only Westat staff will have access to this survey. We will share data in reports that do not present identifiable information. At the end of the study in 2021, we will give an aggregate copy of the dataset without names and identifying information to HUD for their records. Please complete this survey by [DATE].

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey as your feedback is very important to us.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email Dr. Debra Rog at 301-279-4594 or debrarog@westat.com.

Background

1. What CoC (number and name) do you represent? _____________________________________

2. What agency do you work for? _______________________________________

3. What is your role within the CoC? _______________________________

4. Has the CoC conducted a youth-specific needs assessment or other study that identified the needs of youth experiencing and at risk of homelessness in your community?

• Yes When was it conducted? _________________________

• No

5. [IF YES] Do what extent has the needs assessment guided the community’s efforts to address homelessness for youth/young adults?

   

   • Not at all [SKIP TO Q.6]

   • Very little

   • Somewhat

   • Quite a lot

6. Please describe how the needs assessment has guided the community’s efforts?

System Overview

7. Please indicate if there are youth-specific programs and processes currently in place in the following areas in your CoC or planned for the future. This may include programs that are funded by the CoC and those that are not funded by the CoC, but are available in the community (e.g., programs funded by other agencies, faith-based programs, privately funded programs). By youth-specific, we mean programs and processes, like coordinated entry or outreach, that are specifically targeted to 18-24 year olds. These may be programs and processes that are include other populations but have youth-specific guidelines or policies.

	Fully implemented, system-wide	Partially implemented (not all pieces in place or not all youth/young adult populations served)	In planning phase	Not in place	Don’t Know
Coordinated entry - a process that coordinates providers to ensure all youth/young adults experiencing homelessness or other housing crises are quickly identified, assessed for, referred, and connected with housing and homeless assistance	○	○	○	○	○
Outreach (identification and engagement) - identifying and engaging youth/young adults at risk for or experiencing homelessness and connecting them with assistance	○	○	○	○	○
Prevention - supportive services and/or rent assistance to prevent homelessness for at risk youth/young adults	○	○	○	○	○
Diversion - short- to medium-term financial assistance and/or supportive services to divert youth/young adults from entering shelter	○	○	○	○	○
Shelter – emergency shelter specifically for youth/young adults	○	○	○	○	○
Housing - including transitional housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and host homes specifically for youth/young adults	○	○	○	○	○
Case management or navigation services – assistance to guide youth/young adults through the system of housing and services	○	○	○	○	○
Family and natural support engagement services - counseling, mediation, and reunification assistance to help youth/young adults strengthen family ties and return to their families, or to identify new kinship supports and housing opportunities for youth/young adults	○	○	○	○	○
Education and employment assistance - education and employment resources, counseling, skill building programs, and trainings for youth/young adults	○	○	○	○	○

Coding Instructions: Respondents who indicate “fully implemented”, or “partially implemented” ” to each of the above programs/processes will be lead to additional questions about each program/process. Respondents who indicate “in planning phase”, “not in place”, or “don’t know” will be omitted from the follow-up questions.

[IF YES TO COORDINATED ENTRY]

8. [IF COORDINATED ENTRY IS PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED] When do you expect coordinated entry to be fully implemented? ___________________________

9. How do youth/young adults primarily access the coordinated entry process? [Mark all that apply.]

• In-person

• Telephone-based process

• Both in-person and telephone

• Other: _________________________________________

10. [IF IN PERSON/BOTH IN-PERSON AND TELEPHONE] Are there multiple points of entry?

• One point of entry

• Multiple points of entry

11. [IF MULTIPLE POINTS OF ENTRY] Please describe.

12. Are there youth-specific:

	Yes	No
Access points to receive assistance?	○	○
Case management or navigation services?	○	○
Other:________________________________	○	○
Other:________________________________	○	○
Other:________________________________	○	○

13. Who is eligible to enter coordinated entry in the youth/young adult system? [Mark all that apply.]

• Youth under 18 years old

• Youth/young adults 18-24 years old

14. What definitions of homelessness are used to be eligible for youth-specific coordinated entry?

15. How are the needs of youth/young adults assessed as part of the coordinated entry process? [Mark all that apply.]

• No assessment process

• Providers’ own assessments

• Assessment through coordinated entry

• Other: _________________________________________________

16. [IF ASSESSMENT THROUGH COORDINATED ENTRY] Which tool or tools are used? [Mark all that apply.]

    • Next Step Tool

• VI-SPDAT

• TAY-VI-SPDAT

• Family VI-SPDAT

• Community created assessment tool

• Other: _________________________________________________

17. [IF ASSESSMENT THROUGH COORDINATED ENTRY] Are the assessments used for

	Yes	No
accessing shelter?	○	○
making housing referrals?	○	○
making service referrals?	○	○
Other:________________________	○	○
Other:________________________	○	○

[IF YES TO OUTREACH SERVICES]

18.) Are the following in place to identify and engage youth/young adults who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness?	Yes No	IF YES, Are these services specifically tailored to youth and young adults? Yes No Somewhat/partially tailored	IF YES, Who is eligible for these services? [Mark all that apply.] Youth under 18 years old Youth/young adults 18-24 years old	IF YES, Are these services targeted to only specific subpopulations or to all youth/young adults? Yes, targeted to specific subpopulations No, targeted to all youth/young adults	IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. Mobile vans?
b. Street outreach workers?
c. Drop-in centers?
d. A central intake website or hotline?
e. School-based outreach?
f. Other outreach efforts? (Specify: ________)

[IF YES TO PREVENTION]

19.) Are the following prevention efforts in place?	Yes No	IF YES, Are these services specifically tailored to youth/young adults? Yes No Somewhat/partially tailored	IF YES, Who is eligible for these services? [Mark all that apply.] Youth under 18 years old Youth/young adults 18-24 years old	IF YES, Are these services targeted to only specific subpopulations or to all youth/young adults? Yes, targeted to specific subpopulations No, targeted to all youth/young adults	IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. Rental assistance?
b. Family counseling/intervention services?
c. Legal assistance?
d. Supportive services?
e. Financial assistance for something other than rent?
f. Other prevention efforts? (Specify:________)

[IF YES TO DIVERSION]

20.) Are the following efforts provided to divert youth/young adults before they enter shelter or another homeless situation?	Yes No	IF YES, Are these services specifically tailored to youth/young adults? Yes No Somewhat/partially tailored	IF YES, Who is eligible for these services? [Mark all that apply.] Youth under 18 years old Youth/young adults 18-24 years old	IF YES, Are these services targeted to only specific subpopulations or to all youth/young adults? Yes, targeted to specific subpopulations No, targeted to all youth/young adults	IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. Rental assistance?
b. Family counseling/intervention services?
c. Legal assistance?
d. Supportive services?
e. Financial assistance for something other than rent?
f. Other diversion efforts? (Specify:________)

[IF YES TO HOUSING FOR YOUTH]

21.) Are the following types of shelter or housing are available in your CoC specifically for youth/young adults? Please provide the date as of which these data are current. _______________________	Current number of beds or vouchers	Are any beds/vouchers designated for specific subpopulations of youth/young adults?		IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. Emergency shelter		Yes	No
b. Transitional housing		Yes	No
c. Permanent supportive housing		Yes	No
d. Rapid re-housing		Yes	No
e. Host homes (for youth)		Yes	No
f. Other: __________________		Yes	No

[IF YES TO FAMILY AND NATURAL SUPPORT ENGAGEMENT services]

22.) Are the following family and natural support engagement services available for youth/young adults?	Yes No	IF YES, Are these services specifically tailored to youth/young adults? Yes No Somewhat/partially tailored	IF YES, Who is eligible for these services? [Mark all that apply.] Youth under 18 years old Youth/young adults 18-24 years years old	IF YES, Are these services targeted to only specific subpopulations or to all youth/young adults? Yes, targeted to specific subpopulations No, targeted to all youth/young adults	IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. Family mediation/ counseling?
b. Case management with youth/young adults and family supports?
c. Help in identifying natural supports?
d. Other family/natural support engagement efforts? (Specify:________)

[IF YES TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE]

23.) Are the following education and employment efforts available for youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness?	Yes No	IF YES, Are these services specifically tailored to youth and young adults? Yes No Somewhat/partially tailored	IF YES, Who is eligible for these services? [Mark all that apply.] Youth under 18 years old Youth/young adults 18-24 years old	IF YES, Are these services targeted to only specific subpopulations or to all youth/young adults? Yes, targeted to specific subpopulations No, targeted to all youth/young adults	IF TARGETED TO SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS, Which specific subpopulation are they targeted to? [Mark all that apply.] Unsheltered youth/young adults Youth/young adults aging out of foster care Youth/young adults exiting from the juvenile justice system LGBTQ youth/young adults Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems Youth/young adults with mental health problems Other: ___________________ Other: ___________________
a. GED classes or other certificate or training programs?
b. Job preparation/job search services?
c. Paid or unpaid work experience, such as internships or apprenticeships?
d. Support or coaching while employed?
e. Transportation to attend school or work?
f. Other assistance (e.g., text books, work clothes, or equipment)?
f. Other employment or education services? (Specify:________)

System COORDINATION

24.) Is the [FILL IN NAME OF SYSTEM LISTED BELOW] coordinated with homeless service system for youth and young adults?	Yes No	IF YES, What is the level of coordination between these systems? High Medium Low	IF YES, Does the [FILL IN NAME OF SYSTEM] …? [Mark all that apply.] Serve as a member of the CoC? Participate in governance for the youth/young adult system? Participate in planning for the youth/young adult system? Blend/braid funding with the youth/young adult system? Share data with the youth/young adult system? Participate in coordinated entry? Provide outreach services for youth/young adults? Provide prevention for youth/young adults? Provide diversion services for youth/young adults? Provides housing specifically for youth/young adults?
a. child welfare system?
b. juvenile justice system?
c. school system?
d. health care system?
e. mental health/ substance abuse services?
f. other mainstream services? (Specify:________)

Governance

25. Is there a youth-specific governance structure or workgroup in your CoC?

• Yes

• No

25. [IF YES] Does this body report directly to the CoC board?

• Yes

• No

25. [IF NO] Specify how the youth-specific governance structure or workgroup works with the CoC?

25. Is there a strategic plan for addressing youth/young adult homelessness in your CoC?

• Yes –a plan specific for youth/young adults

• Yes—a plan that covers youth/young adults and other populations

• No

• Other Describe: __________________________________________________________________

25. Does the CoC actively include youth/young adults who have experienced homelessness in the decision-making process?

• Yes When did this practice begin? ____________________

• No

25. [IF YES] In what ways?

SYSTEMS CHALLENGES, BARRIERS, AND GAPS

25. What are the major challenges in the youth/young adult homeless system?

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    
    

    
    

26. What are the major service gaps?

25. Are there specific subgroups that are underserved? Please describe.

• Youth under 18 years old

• Youth/young adults 18-24 years old

• Youth/young adults aging out of foster care

• Youth/young adults involved in juvenile justice system

• LGBTQ youth/young adults

• Pregnant/parenting youth/young adults

• Immigrant/refugee youth/young adults

• Sexually exploited/trafficked youth/young adults

• Youth/young adults with substance abuse problems

• Youth/young adults with mental health problems

• Other :_________________________________________

• Other :_________________________________________

• Other :_________________________________________

This is the end of the survey. Thank you for taking the time to share information about your CoC with us.

10