LOUISIANA Community Mental Health Services Block Grant ...

Services targeted to children, youth and their families who are homeless have been generally limited
in the past, however, there have been strides to identify and improve a number of service gaps for
children and youth who are homeless across the state.
A local non-profit in Baton Rouge, Church United for Community Development has applied for
funding from US DHHS for Administration Children & Families Outreach Program. This will
identify homeless youth up to 21 years-old that have been or at risk of sexual abuse or
victimization/exploitation. It will assist in locating shelter space and services. CAHSD has
supported the application and will provide mental health/substance abuse services to those youth
meeting eligibility criteria as an in kind match for the grant application.
The Haven (domestic violence shelter), Beautiful Beginning (homeless shelter for families), and
Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services provide outreach to homeless youth through their shelters and
work with the families. START Corp. also works with families with SED children. The region
would like to expand their ability to assist these organizations through referral, case management,
and enhanced respite but there are no funds for this at this time.
Runaway children and youth in Region III have been identified who are in need of housing,
medical, mental health, and substance abuse services. The homeless coalition has developed a
program (Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services) funded by HUD (Basic Center Grant Program) that
provides outreach, respite care, individual and family counseling, and case management to runaway
homeless children and youth. The goal is to unite the children and youth with their parents. Until
that time, the needs of the families involved are provided by referral to substance abuse treatment,
mental health counseling, and respite, as needed.
Another example exists in Region IV, where “Project Matrix" serves homeless families, including
homeless children and youth. These and various other projects are funded through the Department
of Housing and Urban Development‟s (HUD) Continuum of Care for the Homeless program.
In Region V, there is Education Treatment Council's Harbor House and Transitional Living
Program (TLP). Harbor House is a temporary shelter (standard stay is < 45 days) for homeless
youth. TLP is an 18 month, independent living program for homeless youth funded through HUD
CoC. There is 24 hour staff but it is considered a minimal supervision program. Although TLP is
not solely for youth with a mental health diagnosis, it is an option for transitional age youth with a
mental health diagnosis as long as they meet their program criteria. They provide minimal outreach
services as part of this program.
The issue of education for homeless children and youth is directly addressed in the McKinney-
Vento State Plan for the education of homeless children and youth as amended by Title X, Part C of
the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Public Law 107-110. Specific activities for school districts
to address the needs of homeless (and highly mobile) families have been established. These
activities include such things as: designating a liaison for the school district to act as a contact
person, outreach worker and advocate for homeless families and youth; identifying local service
providers (shelters, food banks, community agencies) for homeless families; and informing parents
and youth of their right to public education, even if they do not have a permanent address.
PART C LOUISIANA FY 2011 PAGE 256
SECTION III: CHILD/YOUTH PLAN – CRITERION 4
TARGETED SERVICES TO RURAL & HOMELESS POPULATIONS – OUTREACH TO HOMELESS