Promising Practice

Ohio Department of Health Youth Homelessness Program

State/Jurisdiction: Ohio
Setting: Community
Population: Adolescents & Young Adults
Topic Area: Safe and Connected Communities Family & Youth Engagement Care Coordination
NPMs:

The overarching goal of the Ohio Department of Health Youth Homelessness Program is to end and prevent homelessness in Ohio. The grant deliverables include housing, such as transitional, emergency housing/shelter, homelessness prevention, host homes, shared housing and other pilot programs. Staff-time and other expenses for supportive services are allowable which include physical and mental health, basic needs, crisis intervention, education or employment, case management, housing advocacy, family connection, counseling and reunification, assisting with navigating systems, after-care and follow-up services, and support with connections to the community. These services are often implemented through street outreach and drop-in centers. Community engagement strategies are also supported, as well as funds to develop or enhance a Youth Advisory Board. The grant requires subrecipients to attend quarterly project directors’ meetings and monthly Community of Practice meetings to encourage and foster statewide collaboration and sharing best practices.

The HY grant was designed to be a flexible source of funds that support local efforts. Lack of housing is a public health problem and impacts the whole community. This grant provides comprehensive support services to youth and includes funds for housing assistance as well as support services. ODH understands the importance of allowing and supporting staff time to build relationships with youth and wraparound services that can help to stop the cycle of homelessness. Staff provide referrals to youth for physical and mental health, basic needs, crisis intervention, education, employment, housing advocacy, family connection, counseling and reunification, assisting with navigating systems, after-care and follow up services and support with connection to the community. The HY grant includes both housing and support services to provide immediate housing and support services to help youth gain skills and support to support themselves and maintain stable housing in the future.



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CONTACT INFORMATION
Ohio Department of Health
Sara Haig
Sara.Haig@odh.ohio.gov
Jennifer.casertano@odh.ohio.gov

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