Barriers for younger homeless youth

Homeless youth are very mobile and invisible. They couch surf, sleep in cars, and girls hook up with older men. And, younger homeless youth are at a much higher risk for becoming victims of the streets. Also, they have fewer opportunities for resources and services. More specifically, younger homeless youth are under 18, and in legal terms, minors. Many of them are homeless due to no fault of their own. Most community members are not aware that MY House cannot provide the much needed resources and services for homeless youth 14 to 18. In fact, when I share that information, community members are surprised and ask, “Why not?”

The short answer is, MY House doesn’t have the license. Any facility, like an emergency shelter, detention unit, or group home, involved with minors requires state licensing. There is not enough print space to adequately explain the different licenses, requirements, and the length of time to secure those licenses. However, there are times when we at MY House can provide limited basic needs for the younger homeless youth. Those times are when we can make a phone call to the youth’s parent and the parent gives us permission.

Yet, beyond the verbal parent permission aspect, there is no existing protocol or guidelines dealing with minors, specifically with the issue regarding homelessness. And, parent permission is sketchy at best. Now, with no emergency shelter in the Mat-Su Borough, homeless youth, no matter what age they are, are left out in the cold, literally. Yet, we have an animal shelter!?

Without any policies and procedures it would be safe to say, as a colleague stated, “It is a quagmire!” MY House has to be very cautious due to lack of state licensing and liabilities issues. Just one example would be, after having verbal parent permission to transport a minor over to Valley Mover transfer site, the minor can catch a bus ride into Anchorage to stay at Covenant House for shelter. What if the youth chooses to walk in a different direction, once arriving in Anchorage? Then, ending up on the dead-end streets, where anything goes. Who would be held liable? The parent gave ‘verbal permission,’ and a ‘Report of Concern’ was called into the state of Alaska. But, Covenant House never had contact with the minor, even with a phone call to give a heads up about the youth’s arrival.

Now, you know. And that is just one example that has created a field full of land mines that could very well set off real disasters for everyone involved without clear and distinct protocol. Even with a “Good Samaritan” fallback, MY House has to tread lightly and carefully. We want to help. And, in no way are we trying or seeking to usurp parental rights or burn any bridges by getting sideways with state agencies. And, most importantly, we don’t want to put any homeless youth, regardless of their age, in harm’s way by opening the door to street life.

MY House plans to continue offering family mediation for re-unification with interested parties and having discussions with all state agencies dealing with youth. Also, cooperating with community partnerships to address this very important matters regarding the younger homeless youth. MY House foresees a checklist used by a caseworker to ensure every I is dotted and T is crossed. We have worked too long, with community support from civic groups, churches, and individuals. With having more homeless youth, some younger, coming in our doors every day, we cannot throw caution to the wind. Again, we need to have all the safe guards in place for everyone.

When the times comes, and we as a community say, “Enough is enough,” a crisis emergency shelter will resolve many of these legal issues. And, most importantly, we would have safe harbor with all the necessary wrap around services under one roof, one stop, available 24/7. There would be no need for any phone calls made prior to walking in the door at any time. No one would be turned away due to any criteria, guidelines, or questions having to be asked. They would not be sent to Anchorage by bus. (Along with riding the bus back and forth, if they want to continue school here) They could stay here. They would be safe here! We cannot fully comprehend what it would mean for all homeless youth to hear those words.

Until we have a licensed shelter, MY House will secure a signed “Parent to MY House” legal agreement involving a minor, to provide transportation to Covenant House, if that is agreed upon by all parties. A ‘Report of Concern’ will be called into the state of Alaska. The minor will be escorted in the MY House outreach van, with insured drivers. The minor will be met by a Covenant House staff person and handed over by our staff, along with signed paper work for all parties, and filed.

Michael P. Carson is Vice President MY House. Contact the non-profit by phone at 373-435 or online at myhousematsu.org.