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***Letters of Support Templates***
Send a letter of support to the respective Committee Chair.  Please email or fax no later than April 5^th.  Here are templates to get you started and make the writing easy – SB 119 and SB 123.

Policy and Advocacy Update
What’s Happening in Sacramento 

Here are two current pieces of legislation that Larkin Street is supporting which directly impact homeless youth in California.
Emergency Youth Shelter Facilities (SB 119)
Author:         Senator Alan Lowenthal
Co-author:     Senator Carol Liu

The California Department of Social Services is responsible for the oversight of residential programs serving youth under the age of 18 who are placed outside of their home, however, currently there are no regulations specifically designed for youth shelters.  This bill would expand the definition of a community care facility to include emergency youth shelters.  The current licensing regulations were created to meet the needs of youth residing in group home settings, programs that exist to create long term solutions for youth within the child welfare system, and therefore do not work for shelter environments.  Larkin Street recognizes the need for oversight to ensure standards of care are in place for the safety and well being of this vulnerable population.  Other states have successfully created licensing requirements for homeless youth providers and these statutes should be used as a model rather than trying to revise regulations that were created for youth in the child welfare system.

Human Services Committee                              Chair:  Senator Carol Liu
Email: Senator.Liu@senate.ca.gov                      Fax: (916) 324-7543                             

California Runaway, Homeless, and Exploited Youth Act (SB 123)
Author:         Senator Carol Liu
Co-author:     Senator Alan Lowenthal
Co-author:     Assemblymember Jim Beall

There is no coordinated statewide plan to reduce homelessness among the vulnerable youth population.  Not addressing the problem now will lead to increased costs later as a result of increased incarceration, use of emergency medical care, and use of public assistance as adults.  This legislation asserts that California must define homeless youth as a priority population in need of state resources.  The range of services needed to address youth homelessness include education, health care, housing, behavioral health, counseling and family reunification.  Collaboration across public and private entities is necessary to effectively provide services and reduce the extent of the problem.  The Act will lay the foundation for a comprehensive statewide plan to address youth homelessness by defining the population, determining the service needs, identifying means to assess public investment in services for this population, and proposing a consistent revenue stream to meet the demand for housing and support services.  

Public Safety Committee                                   Chair: Senator Loni Hancock
Email: Senator.Hancock@senate.ca.gov              Fax: (916) 327-1997                   

Want to get involved?

Send a letter of support to the respective Committee Chair.  Please email or fax no later than April 5^th.  Here are templates to get you started and make the writing easy – SB 119 and SB 123.

For additional information:

• Read about the news conference on homeless youth held January 2011 in Sacramento

Download this policy brief from the California Coalition for Youth – California Emergency Youth Shelters: Ensuring Services to Better Protect and Serve Homeless Youth

November Brings Attention to the Plight of Runaway and Homeless Youth

November is National Runaway Prevention Month and the first California Runaway & Homeless Youth Month.  In addition, Congress has commemorated National Runaway Prevention Month by designating November Homeless Youth Awareness Month.  All of these efforts are aimed at:

• Increasing awareness of the problem of youth homelessness
• Increasing awareness of the issues impacting runaway youth
• Providing education to help reduce runaway behavior
• Providing education about community solutions to youth homelessness
• Increasing advocacy on behalf of runaway and homeless youth

Every year there is an estimated 1.8-2.1 million homeless youth in the United States.  They struggle to survive from day to day, doing what they can to secure food and temporary shelter.  Most of these youth are on the streets because their home environments were too much to endure.  Common family experiences for these youth include child abuse and/or neglect, domestic violence, and parental substance use.  Some have parents who either asked them to leave or didn’t object to their leaving.  Others were removed from their homes because their parent was unable to care for them and they later ran away from their placement. 

Programs like Larkin Street help these youth get their lives back on track by providing outreach, housing and support services including medical, behavioral health, education, and employment services.

What can I do?

• Participate in the Green Light project in recognition of National Runaway Prevention Month – turn your porch light green to raise awareness and show support for runaway youth.       
•  Visit the California Runaway and Homeless Youth Month website to learn more about youth homelessness and sign up to get daily updates- http://www.ca-rhymonth.org/
• Get Involved locally by assisting Larkin Street youth and programs by volunteering, donating or sponsoring an event. 
   

Fostering Connections to Success Act

The Fostering Connections to Success Act, AB 12, was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 30^th.  The law extends foster care for youth up to the age of 21 in California.  We know that currently many youth emancipate from foster care, at age 18, into instability and often homelessness.  It is the main reason that Larkin Street started LEASE, our residential program that assists former foster care youth in achieving self-sufficiency.  Research has shown that youth who stay longer in care have better outcomes related to education, employment, and housing stability than youth who age out at 18.  Implementation of this program will start January 2012 and will be phased in gradually, with the first year expanding care to age 19.  Larkin Street supported this legislation and believes it will reduce homelessness and housing instability for former foster care youth. 

Mental Health Services for At-Risk Youth Act

The Mental Health Services for At-Risk Youth Act, SB 543, was also signed into law at the end of September.  This law expands the rights of minors, ages 12 to 17, to consent to receive outpatient mental health treatment or counseling service if a mental health professional determines they are mature enough to intelligently participate in the services.  Currently minors can only access emergency or crisis mental health services without parental consent.  This law will allow youth to receive help before their situation puts their health and safety, or those of others, at risk.  This access is especially important for homeless youth who are separated from their families as well as youth who feel they are unable to ask for parental consent due to an abusive home environment, parents who do not approve of mental health treatment, or because it would require them to prematurely come out to parents who they feel may not be accepting or supportive of their sexual orientation or gender identity.