Working with Unaccompanied and Undocumented RHY Utilizing a Trauma Informed Care Perspective

Presented by: TC Cassidy, MPA, M.Div., Director of Technical Assistance/HTR3 Project Director

Objectives

Participants will be provided a working definitions of: Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Homeless ChildrenTrauma Informed CareTrauma Informed ServicesTrauma Informed Systems

Participants will be provided some key concepts to incorporate when working with unaccompanied youth.

Participants will be provided an overview of the differences between punishment/reaction and trauma informed consequences/responsiveness to concerns/issues that arise when working with unaccompanied youth.

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Definitions

Unaccompanied homeless youth is a youth who meets the definitions of unaccompanied youth and homeless included in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC §§11431-11435, 2001; herein after referred to as The McKinney-Vento Act). The Act defines unaccompanied youth as, “a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” (42 USC §11434a(6), 2001). This means that the youth is not living with a parent or guardian, and includes youth who are residing with a caregiver who does not have legal guardianship and youth who are living on their own.

http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/youth.pdf

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Definitions

Homeless Children: The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children or youth as, “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” and provides a list of examples of living arrangements that meet this definition (42 USC §11434a(2), 2001) (see sidebar on page 1 for the full definition of homeless).

http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/youth.pdf

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Eligibility for Services

Eligibility: To be eligible for services under the McKinney- Vento Act as an unaccompanied homeless youth, the student must lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and not be in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The McKinney-Vento Act includes no program-specific age requirements to qualify as an unaccompanied homeless youth. Thus, if a youth is eligible for K-12 public education in the state, he or she may be enrolled and served as an unaccompanied homeless youth. In many states, the upper age limit for eligibility for public education is 21; however, this limit may be lower in some states and/or may be extended in some states for students receiving special education services. A handful of states have no upper age limit for K-12 public education.

http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/youth.pdf

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Definitions

Trauma-informed Care (TIC) is defined as a “strengths-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma, that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors, and that creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.”

Hopper, E., Bassuk, E. & Olivet, J. (2010). Shelter from the storm: Trauma-informed care in homelessness service settings. The Open Health Services and Policy Journal, 3, 80-100. Available at www.homeless.samhsa.gov/ResourceFiles/cenfdthy.pdf

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Definitions

Trauma Informed Services: Trauma-informed services are not specifically designed to treat symptoms or syndromes related to sexual or physical abuse or other trauma, but they are informed about, and sensitive to, trauma-related issues present in survivors. Trauma informed homeless youth worker understands the impact of trauma on a youth’s behavior, development, relationships, and survival strategies, integrates that understanding into planning .

Reference: “Trauma Definitions” in Trauma Informed Care Training of Trainers Manual. Developed by the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center Operated by National Safe Place Network

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Definitions

Trauma-informed System: A trauma informed system is one in which all components of a given service system have been reconsidered and evaluated in the light of a basic understanding of the role that trauma plays in the lives of people seeking mental health and addictions services. A trauma-informed system uses that understanding to design service systems that accommodate the vulnerabilities of trauma survivors and allows services to be delivered in a way that will avoid inadvertent re-traumatization and will facilitate consumer participation in treatment. It also requires collaborative relationships with other public and private practitioners with trauma-related clinical expertise. When a human service program takes the step to become trauma-informed, every part of its organization, management, and service delivery system is assessed and potentially modified to include a basic understanding of how trauma impacts the life of an individual seeking services…

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Definitions

Trauma-informed System Cont’d: Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization.

Reference: “Trauma Definitions” in Trauma Informed Care Training of Trainers Manual. Developed by the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center Operated by National Safe Place Network

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Working with Unaccompanied Youth

Be PresentListenAll unaccompanied youth are not the sameKindness and DignityMake options within reachFees and DuesParent/Guardian Consent

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Putting TIC into Practice with Unaccompanied Youth

Punishment: Punishment is used to enforce obedience to a specific authority and it uses words that escalate conflict. Punishment is usually used to assert power and control and often leaves a young person feeling helpless, powerless, and ashamed. Punishment is for the benefit of the punisher and not the individual whose behavior needs to be corrected.

Trauma Informed Consequences (TICs): TICs are intentionally designed to teach, change or shape behavior, and offer options within firm limits. TICs are logical consequences that are clearly connected to the behavior, given with empathy and in a respectful tone. TICs are reasonable, and used words that encourage thinking, and preserve connections between people.

Reference: Dr. Stefanidis, Nicholas, et al. “Trauma Informed Consequences (TICs) for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Putting Theory into Practice.” (2010) The Community Trauma Treatment Center for Runaway and Homeless Youth SAMHSA Grant # SM57247. Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership.

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Presenter Contact

TC Cassidy, MPA, M.Div.Director of Technical Assistance/HTR3 Project DirectorFamily and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and

Technical Assistance CenterM: 918-810-8925O: 502-635-3660E: tc@rhyttac.netW: www.rhyttac.net