Susanna R. Curry

Prevalence and Correlates of Youth Homelessness in the United States

Purpose Unaccompanied youth homelessness is a serious concern. Response, however, has been constrained by the absence of credible data on the size and characteristics of the population and reliable means to track youth homelessness over time. We sought to address these gaps. Methods Using a nationally representative phone-based survey (N = 26,161), we solicited household and individual reports on different types of youth homelessness. We collected household reports on adolescents aged 13–17 and young adults aged 18–25, as well as self-reports from young adults aged 18–25. Follow-up interviews with a subsample (n = 150) provided additional information on youth experiences and enabled adjustment for inclusion errors. Results Over a 12-month period, approximately 3.0% of households with 13- to 17-year-olds reported explicit youth homelessness (including running away or being asked to leave) and 1.3% reported experiences that solely involved couch surfing, resulting in an overall 4.3% household prevalence of any homelessness, broadly defined. For 18- to 25-year-olds, household prevalence estimates were 5.9% for explicitly reported homelessness, 6.6% for couch surfing only, and 12.5% overall. The 12-month population prevalence estimates, available only for 18- to 25-year-olds, were 5.2%, 4.5%, and 9.7%, respectively. Incidence rates were about half as high as prevalence rates. Prevalence rates were similar across rural and nonrural counties. Higher risk of homelessness was observed among young parents; black, Hispanic, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) youth; and those who did not complete high school. Conclusions The prevalence and incidence of youth homelessness reveal a significant need for prevention and youth-centric systems and services, as well as strategies to address disproportionate risks of certain subpopulations.

“They Lay Down the Foundation and Then They Leave Room for Us to Build the House”: A Visual Qualitative Exploration of Young Adults’ Experiences of Transitional Housing

Although research has established a high risk of homelessness among young people aging out of foster care, little is known about the experience of these youth who are helped to make the transition to independent living through supportive housing programs. We interview 14 transition-age youth (18 to 24 years) using photo elicitation interviewing to investigate how young people who have aged out of foster care visually and verbally narrate their journeys through transitional housing programs. The participants were drawn from two transitional housing programs in Los Angeles County. Data were collected in 3 stages: (a) a semi-structured initial interview; (b) a 2-week period of participant photography and photo development; and (c) an in-depth follow-up interview focused on understanding the photos. Analysis involves open coding of transcripts and photographs, clustering of codes into families, and thematic abstraction. Participants’ journeys through transitional housing are captured in 4 major themes: (a) changing perspectives; (b) experiencing newfound independence and control; (c) performing a juggling act; and (d) wanting to move forward, yet feeling unprepared. Study findings illustrate how transition-age youth experience their gradual independence and the ways in which transitional housing programs can provide critical support during this important period. In addition, the findings point to the need for further research regarding how young people can optimally balance employment and educational demands in the context of supportive housing.

Racial Disparities in Service Referrals for Families in the Child Welfare System

ABSTRACT Among families in the child welfare system, family reunification depends largely upon the services to which families are referred. This study examines whether race/ethnicity influences the number and types of services to which families are referred. Findings suggest that compared to African American families, Hispanic families were more often referred to psychosocial services (e.g., mental health) than basic needs (e.g., housing). These findings indicate a need to reduce service referral disparities between ethnic groups.

Correlates of Homeless Youths’ Stability-Seeking Behaviors Online and In Person

Objective: This study examines correlates of service seeking and use of the Internet for stability-seeking purposes such as employment, housing, and health needs among homeless youth. The purpose was to (a) analyze previously unexplored youth characteristics and behaviors such as substance use and self-reported reasons for homelessness; (b) understand the relationship between youth characteristics and behaviors and use of the Internet for stability-seeking purposes; and (c) compare Internet resource-seeking between those who used in-person services and those who did not use in-person services in each domain. Method: A nonprobability sample of homeless youth completed a self-administered questionnaire during 2 periods of data collection (N = 642) at drop-in agencies in a large city on the West Coast. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted and the Holm-Bonferroni method was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. Results: Logistic regressions show service use and use of the Internet for stability-seeking purposes are significantly associated with race, hard drug use, and becoming homeless because of mental health problems. Individuals who use hard drugs are 2 times more likely (OR = 1.82, p < .05) to use health services than those who do not use hard drugs. Youth who indicate they are homeless because of mental illness are 5 times more likely (OR = 5.13, p < .001) to look online for health services than homeless youth who do not give mental illness as a reason for homelessness. Conclusions: Some youth who might otherwise be labeled disconnected could still be searching for stability-seeking resources through the Internet. Implications for practice are discussed.

The Influence of Policy Context on Transition Age Foster Youths' Views of Self-Sufficiency

ABSTRACT In this exploratory study, focus group methodology was used to examine the potential influence of policy context on informing transition age youth (TAY) views of self-sufficiency upon aging out of foster care. The authors purposively selected two different policy contexts concerning extended foster care: New York City and Los Angeles County. Compared to New York City, Los Angeles has a relatively newer policy concerning extending the age of foster care benefits to 21. Four focus groups were conducted (2 in each location) with TAY recruited from community-based foster care agencies. The total number of participants (aged 18–22) was 21 (13 in Los Angeles and 8 in New York). In both policy contexts, participants defined self-sufficiency mainly as economic independence and planning for success. However, while Los Angeles TAY emphasized a need to “strive through it,” meaning persevere through self-reliance, New York TAY believed that self-sufficiency could be at least partially achieved by leaning on others, including social services. The findings help to illustrate how varying policy landscapes, including those that are in flux, can shape client understandings of core beliefs related to service utilization and client–provider interactions. Implications for child welfare policy and practice are proposed.

Perceptions and Use of a Web-Based Referral System in Child Welfare: Differences by Caseworker Tenure

ABSTRACT In the child welfare system, technology may help caseworkers make service referrals efficiently. However, acceptance and use of new technology does not occur equally for all caseworkers. Influenced by the Technology Acceptance Model, we investigate differences in perceived ease of use and usefulness of a web-based referral system by caseworker tenure, and how these perceptions relate to use of the system. Results from 31 interviews with newer and more tenured caseworkers suggest important similarities and differences in how these groups perceive the technology, and suggest that differences in perception are related to differences in actual use.