#youthcount

Five ways to reach homeless youth.

In a few weeks, communities around the country will conduct their annual Point-in-Time (PIT) counts of homeless individuals. These counts provide crucial data to assist communities with the development of strategies and services, but past experience indicates these counts do a poor job of estimating the number of youth experiencing homelessness.

Support:

1.       Family Support – Familylife provides high levels of love and support

2.       Positive Family Communication -  Young person and her or his parent(s)  communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parents .

3.       Other Adult Relationships – Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.

4.       Caring Neighborhood – Young person experiences caring neighbors.

5.       Caring School Climate – School provides a caring, encouraging environment.

6.       Parent Involvement In Schooling – Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.

           Empowerment:

7.       Community Values Youth – Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.

8.       Youth as Resources- Young people are given useful roles in the community.

9.       Service to Others- Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.