Emergency Assistance for Foster and Systems-Impacted Youth

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley Gateway Cities South Bay Long Beach Antelope Valley County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Foster and Systems-Impacted Youth are finding it difficult to obtain food and other items as well as temporary housing. They are doing what they can to survive. This causes them to be unavailable for services needed from us that impacts their future concerning economic opportunity with a beneficial career as well as needed counseling to address the trauma they have suffered so that they are able to succeed and not be involved with the Criminal Justice System. We have seen that by us providing these needed items to them they are more available to receive the necessary services from us and continue their journey towards success. This increases the likelihood of them having a successful life and staying clear of the criminal justice system. We receive referrals for these youth from County agencies, Law Enforcement Agencies, School Districts throughout Los Angeles County. Thus, we have a large number of Foster and Systems-Impacted Youth and their families’ receiving services from us.

Our case managers and existing staff who are interacting with Foster and Systems-Impacted Youth conduct a needs assessment every time they meet with them. A critical component of this needs assessment is inquiring if they or their families are unable to obtain food, household items, school supplies, clothing and temporary housing. If they are not a referral is made to the linkage coordinator of our agency. If the need is immediate such as food, needed arrangements are made to get food for the youth or their family within hours, with an urgent request to our linkage coordinator. Then arrangements are made for grocery shopping for the youth or their family, usually the next day. If the need is not immediate then the referral is forwarded to the coordinator. The requests are processed within twenty-four hours. The case manager assigned to the youth with another staff member accompanies the youth or another member of their family to purchase the items. If that process is not an option an arrangement is made for delivery at the youth or their family’s residence or office pickup, whichever is easier for them. If temporary housing is needed depending on the immediate need, a reach out is first made to various nonprofits and government entities to determine if temporary housing is available. If the need is immediate or other resources are not available, then funds we have for this purpose are utilized. At all times emphasis is made to address the need in a rapid manner.

If our work is successful, more Foster and Systems-Impacted Youth will obtain the tools they need to be able to obtain their personal goals through legitimate means. This will result in a fulfilling life for the youth and a beneficial impact on the community by reducing homelessness and poverty. Our methodology is to insert aid into every area that is a consequence or determinant of homelessness and poverty. It’s a cycle that feeds itself. Without addressing each area, we can’t truly provide Foster and Systems- Impacted Youth with the resources they need to ensure their success. This includes the necessities of life that our request is for. Our program aims to strengthen our youth’s future, to empower them to succeed. Thus, our communities are strengthened, our families are strengthened, there is more equality and equity within our communities, resulting in a healthier democracy and a better place to live for all of us.