Q&A
Utilization rates of homeless young adult services and DYCD policies
2:23:08
·
4 min
Council Member Stevens questioned DYCD representatives about high utilization rates in homeless young adult crisis services and TIL programs, as well as DYCD's "no sleep" policy at drop-in centers. The discussion also covered the extension of length of stay for youth under 21 in shelters.
- Utilization rates for homeless young adult crisis services were 97%, while TIL programs operated at 99% capacity
- DYCD confirmed that the "no sleep" policy is still in effect at drop-in centers, but clarified that youth can use the centers 24 hours a day
- The policy extending the length of stay up to 2 years for youth under 21 in shelters has been in effect since 2019 or 2020
Althea Stevens
2:23:08
Oh, amazing.
2:23:09
Great.
2:23:09
That sounds great.
2:23:10
I'm gonna write that down because not I get everything.
2:23:13
Alright.
2:23:14
Well, I'll I'll follow-up.
2:23:16
Thank you.
2:23:17
There are only 60 residential available available for homeless younger adults 2124.
2:23:23
According to the MRI, the utilization rates, of homeless young adult crisis services was 97% while till programs operated at 99% capacity.
2:23:32
The full utilization of bull prices until programs indicates the system operating at its limits does this agency believe it is appropriate to increase the number of beds to better serve the homeless young adults?
2:23:44
Because the utilization rates are going up.
2:23:46
So I
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:23:48
I would definitely agree with you that utilization rates have been going up from year to year.
2:23:53
But we're we're gonna continue to use the resources that we have available to do the best that we can for the young people that we're serving.
2:24:00
That's a
Althea Stevens
2:24:01
good one.
2:24:01
We don't use the resources that we got.
2:24:03
I got it.
2:24:04
I mean, we'll have you I mean, honestly, you don't have choice but to do that.
2:24:08
But, you know, I think that there needs to be some type of plan that we're making because if we're at 9799, we are literally on the bricks of capacity.
2:24:18
And even I feel like at 9999, we are at capacity.
2:24:20
So if is no contingency plan on how to move forward, then I feel like we are not prepared.
2:24:26
So definitely want us to start working and thinking about what is this plan and how do we work for it, especially as we enter budget season.
2:24:34
Like, I think that is gonna be important that There's some type of strategy or plan.
2:24:39
Although, we know that you're using all the resources that you have now.
2:24:42
Right?
2:24:43
In 2023, the US City implemented a no sleep policy at the city drop incentives despite the pleas for our ROI providers to allow them allow use with nowhere to go to stay overnight.
2:24:54
Is this policy still in effect?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:24:58
Yes.
2:25:00
Drop in centers are not shelter?
Althea Stevens
2:25:01
Yeah.
2:25:02
We know that.
2:25:02
Yeah.
2:25:02
But we know the kids don't be having nowhere to go, and especially at 90 7%.
2:25:05
So Did we tell them to sleep on a train?
2:25:07
What are we doing?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:25:08
They can definitely utilize the drop in centers 24 hours a day.
2:25:14
That is not a problem.
2:25:15
Just the distinction that a drop in center is not a shelter.
2:25:18
And does not accommodate regular sleeping in the same way that a shelter would, but drop in centers are open.
2:25:26
They are available.
2:25:27
They're they're 24 hours.
2:25:28
We do not want young people sleeping on trains.
2:25:30
We want them to come into our drop in centers and utilize that resource.
2:25:33
Okay.
Althea Stevens
2:25:35
So they can rest their eyes.
2:25:36
So that's what we're saying.
2:25:37
Right?
2:25:37
They can rest their eyes a little bit.
2:25:38
They don't have to kick them out.
2:25:40
The rest of their eyes is okay.
2:25:42
Yeah.
2:25:43
Okay.
Susan Haskell
2:25:43
Best thing is for everyone is always Okay.
Althea Stevens
2:25:46
Great.
2:25:46
They're resting their eyes.
2:25:47
That's what we're saying.
2:25:48
Great.
2:25:49
Providers have reported that the YCDs considered spending the length of stay for youth under under 21 until they secure shelter.
2:25:55
When will this policy officially go into effect and what makes us will be used to monitor the impact of Extended Stay and how will the policy be adjusted if it's significantly worsens?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:26:05
The extending the length of stay up to 2 to 2 years, the length of stay that we already implemented.
2:26:16
Could you ask me a question one more time?
Althea Stevens
2:26:17
Oh, I'm sorry.
2:26:18
When will this policy take effect and what matrix will you use to monitor the impact of the extended stay?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:26:25
This policy took effect in 20 19, 20
Althea Stevens
2:26:30
2 years ago.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:26:31
It was approximately 3 or 4 years ago that the policy took effect.
2:26:35
So I think that, you know, it's difficult to pinpoint what is really causing the increase in our length of stay and utilization and things like that.
2:26:47
But the increase from the 18 months to the 2 years has been in effect for quite some time and could be a factor attributing to some of that.
Althea Stevens
2:26:56
Okay.
2:26:57
What what measures are being considered to manage capacity given the number of you being turned away may increase due to the extended day I mean, extended stays.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:27:09
Give me that question one more time.
Althea Stevens
2:27:11
So now that, you know, that young people are staying a little bit I mean, are are granted to stay longer until they secure housing, like, are there any measures being put in place?
2:27:19
Because if they're staying longer, then that means someone else can't be there.
2:27:23
So how are we, like, balancing this out?
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:27:27
I think that, you know, we have 813 beds.
2:27:31
So we have to continue to use the resources that are available to us across the That's
UNKNOWN
2:27:36
how we do a lot of it.
Dr. Amy Wilkerson
2:27:37
Up on this system.
2:27:39
Programs that are available that meet their needs.