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September 13, 2022

Weekly Policy Newsletter

9/18 Virtual Policy Briefing - "Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Learning from Washington State to Maximize California's Historic Investment"


On Wednesday, September 28th from 9:00 am to 10:30 a.m., Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and John Burton Advocates for Youth will host a virtual policy briefing, “Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Learning from Washington State to Maximize California’s Historic Investment.”


Over the last five years, California has invested $533 million in addressing homelessness among youth, helping serve more than 11,000 youth. Although this represents significant progress and has greatly expanded the state’s capacity to address youth homelessness, more work remains to functionally end youth homelessness, also referred to as reaching “functional zero.”


The briefing will feature speakers from A Way Home Washington, where 10 communities in Washington State are on their way to achieving functional zero youth homelessness and have the data capability needed to measure data and progress in real-time. The panel will also include Community Solutions, the team behind the national Built for Zero initiative focused on measurably and equitably ending homelessness by reaching functional zero. Built for Zero has supported 14 communities to reach functional zero and works in close partnership with A Way Home Washington. Register for the briefing here.

Reproductive Health Equity Project Seeking Presenters for Conference and Youth for Advisory Board


The Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth (RHEP) is seeking speakers and presenters for their third annual conference, being held virtually on February 16, 2023. The conference brings together an interdisciplinary community to share research, advocacy strategies, tools, stories, art, and best practices designed to support the healthy sexual development of youth in foster care. Proposals are encouraged across sectors including education, workforce, housing, child welfare, health, or advocacy. The request for proposal can be completed here by October 14, 2022. 

 

RHEP is also recruiting for the 2023 Youth Advisory Board (YAB) which will be made up of young people with lived experience in foster care that are interested in advancing the reproductive and sexual health rights of youth in the California foster care system. The YAB will provide input to the RHEP Leadership Team, governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and others regarding how to improve access to sexual health care services and education for youth in foster care. The board will also be a space to share lived experiences in an effort to generate ideas for policy changes and narrative change campaigns statewide. The application deadline is Friday, October 21, 2022.

Registration for Blueprint for Success Conference to Close September 16th


John Burton Advocates for Youth will be hosting the Blueprint for Foster Youth College & Career Success Conference in person in Los Angeles on October 3-4, 2022. This event combines engagement and networking opportunities with in-depth workshops focused on supporting foster youth to achieve their higher education goals. The event will also feature several keynote speakers including Community College Chancellor Daisy Gonzalez, David Ambroz, author of a debut memoir, A Place Called Home, and author and self-described “hope dealer,” Hasan Davis.


Registration for the event is scheduled to close on September 16th and so those interested in attending should register this week. All the event details, including information regarding overnight accommodations and registration, can be found on the conference website.

Homekey Round 3 Will Launch in Early Spring 2023


The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced that the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for round three of the Homekey program will be released in early spring 2023. Homekey funds the purchase, rehabilitation, and construction of interim and permanent housing.


Round three will continue to include a youth set-aside, reserving 8% of total funding available for projects serving youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. A total of $750 million, including at least $60 million for projects serving youth will be available through round three after nearly $1.9 billion was awarded to projects in round two, producing nearly 6,600 units of housing, 499 of which are for youth. Of the 108 round two projects awarded, 24 will serve youth, including two profiled here


Round two was awarded beyond its originally intended amount in order to continue to review eligible waitlisted applications submitted under round two that otherwise would have had to reapply under a future NOFA. According to HCD, this approach funded more units in a quicker timeline and saved jurisdictions time and money.


JBAY is offering planning grants and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations located in Northern California and the Central Valley that are interested in partnering with a public entity—the eligible Homekey applicants—to apply for round three Homekey funding to establish housing for youth. To inquire about JBAY’s planning grants or technical assistance, e-mail andy@jbay.org.

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