In order to address youth homelessness, numerous community stakeholders and partner organizations have to come together to meet the unique needs of

this population. The outreach program utilizes the “it takes a village” strategy to ensure youth have the necessary supports to move towards self-sufficiency.  The outreach program works with all providers available, ranging from shelter providers to behavioral health treatment providers, to ensure youth are connected to the services needed.

• Shelter Operators (public and private);
• Baltimore County Department of Housing and Community Development;
• Baltimore County Public Schools;
• Baltimore County Department of Social Services;
• Community College of Baltimore County;
• Baltimore County Public Library;
• Community Action Network:
• Faith-based Organizations; and,
• Youth Service Providers of Baltimore County and Baltimore City (e.g., Family Crisis Center, Young Parent Support Center).

Collaboration among community partners is essential in delivering comprehensive services to unaccompanied homeless youth. During FY21, the program most frequently worked with the Baltimore County Departments of Social Services and Housing and Community Development, the Community College of Baltimore County, the Baltimore County Public School System, and the Community Assistance Network. 

With client consent, the outreach program makes referrals to mental health providers, substance use treatment facilities, housing programs, employment and job training programs and educational institutions, to name just a few. The outreach team assesses client goals and makes corresponding connections to the organizations who can assist them in meeting these goals, all the while walking side by side with them through the process.

The annual target number of community stakeholders and providers of community-based services for unaccompanied homeless youth that were engaged

by the outreach provider is 75. The total number of community stakeholders and providers of community-based services for unaccompanied homeless

youth that were engaged by the outreach provider during FY22 was 205. This number reflects the addition of a second youth outreach worker during FY22. Program community partners are essential in serving unaccompanied homeless youth. Many need significant supports and resources to meet individual goals that require cross-collaboration between programs.

Definitions:  

Homeless Youth Engaged in the Community:  Unduplicated number of unaccompanied homeless youth with whom face-to-face  contact occurred in the community through the outreach worker’s engagement efforts.

Community Stakeholders and Providers of Community-based Services:  Building and maintaining a network of agencies that will refer unaccompanied homeless youth to the outreach provider, or receive referrals of unaccompanied youth from the outreach provider requires an ongoing effort.