The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Homeless and Housing Resource Network presents:
The Youth First Spotlight Series:
Developmentally Appropriate Housing for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Webinar
June 30, 2016
2:00 – 3:30 PM EDT
The Developmentally Appropriate Housing for Youth Experiencing Homelessness webinar is the last webinar in a series of three webinars focused on youth homelessness. Transition-aged youth experiencing homelessness often struggle to find housing programs that meet their developmental needs. After age 18, youth usually must access adult shelters, which do not provide sufficient supports. Many housing programs for youth also set preconditions, rather than utilizing a Housing First approach. This webinar will focus on models, characteristics, and best practices for developmentally appropriate housing that leads to positive outcomes for youth. Housing needs for particular youth subpopulations will also be addressed.
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify challenges and barriers faced by youth vulnerable to or experiencing homelessness;
- Explain the impact of homelessness on youth;
- Implement a harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented approach when serving youth experiencing homelessness; and
- Identify effective services and recovery supports for youth experiencing homelessness.
Visit SAMHSA's event registration page to register for this webinar.
Please send questions related to registration and assistance to: hhrn@ahpnet.com.
Presenters:
- Diamond McMillion became homeless at 16, when her family kicked her out of the house due to her sexual orientation. She spent the next 8 years on the streets – sleeping in alleyways, elevator shafts, and shelters. At 24, with the support of Youth on Fire (YOF), Ms. McMillion finally stabilized and obtained permanent supportive housing. She became a member of the YOF staff in 2011, working as the food and nutrition coordinator, as well as working with the LGBTQ Peer Leader Program. Ms. McMillion has transformed her experiences as a young adult experiencing homelessness into passionate support of youth and homelessness prevention and support programs. As an advocate for the homeless and LGBTQ communities, Ms. McMillion has testified for the LGBTQ Youth Commission at the Massachusetts State House, met with Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo to advocate for policy changes related to funding for homeless shelters and the structuring of youth-specific shelters, and presented to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as well as to students enrolled in courses at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. Ms. McMillion was recognized as a Hannaford Health Hero for her work on improving access to healthy food for youth experiencing homelessness. In December 2012, Governor Patrick appointed Ms. McMillion to the Unaccompanied and Homeless Youth Commission to make policy recommendations to the state on how to better serve young adults experiencing homelessness. She has since gone on to work with a number of organizations, acting as a change agent from within the system and currently as a peer support specialist.
- Kendall Rames, M.A., L.P.C., is the deputy director/director of Urban Peak in Denver, Colorado. She is responsible for the oversight of each of Urban Peak’s programs, which provide a convergence of care for runaway youth and youth experiencing homelessness, ages 15 through 24. Ms. Rames has been working with youth for 30 years, including her role as a therapist and clinical supervisor in residential treatment facilities in Colorado and Illinois. She is a long-time advocate for youth and their families, and in that capacity she has been a tireless advocate for addressing the needs of runaway youth and youth experiencing homelessness. Ms. Rames received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Colorado.
