Homeless young people left uncounted

Growing up, the only issue most children have to encounter is working hard in school. Yet, a growing number of youth in Contra Costa County are faced with a larger problem — having a place to call home.

According to Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the definition of "homeless" children and youth refers to "individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence." This can include those who live in cars, public places, bus or train stations and abandoned buildings.

Many believe that as financial struggles have become more of a mainstream issue, homelessness has become less of a taboo subject.

"(Homelessness) is more prevalent now because of the current economy," Youth Development Services (YDS) specialist Denise Clarke said. "Before, it wasn't talked about as much."

The causes of homelessness among youth are just as wide as its definition.

Catherine Giacalone, homeless education coordinator at the Contra Costa County of Education, said that often, teenagers are either compelled to leave or thrown out of their homes due to family problems.

In other cases, the children and teens, along with their families, are removed from their houses due to foreclosure or other financial circumstances.

While there are homeless shelters scattered throughout Contra Costa County, most of them cater to either single adult males or single adult females, or entire families, Giacalone said. Available living options for youth include group homes, foster care or emergency shelters.

Others practice what is known as "couch surfing," where individuals stay overnight at friends' houses, Giacalone said.

Contra Costa College health and human services department Chairwoman Aminta Mickles said homeless youth, referred to as "transitional aid youth," are often overlooked, because a majority of people associate homelessness as a problem mostly among older adults.

"A lot of (youth) get lost in the cracks and are in need of services, because they run away from whatever their living arrangements are," CCC health and human services professor Steven Greer said.

One of the few shelters in the county that provides specifically for youth is the Calli House in Richmond, an emergency shelter which provides hot meals, a place to stay overnight and other professional help.

Another is JR's North Star, a group home with locations in both Pinole and Richmond. This is where Greer, a licensed therapist, provides counseling to various youths between the ages of 13 and 18.

Greer said that as a result of the slumping economy, even the shelters and other programs that provide assistance for the homeless have been affected.

"The resources (to help people) are not there, and it's just sad when people are not able to take care of themselves," he said.

Mickles agreed, and said she hopes more people become interested in going into the helping profession.

As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was enacted in January 2002, requiring all of the nation's children to attend school.

Within the schools located in the Contra Costa County districts, there were 1,624 students identified as homeless during the 2008-09 school year, Clarke said.

Giacalone said that although organizations work with the schools within the county to raise awareness about the issues of homelessness, identifying students who are homeless can sometimes be a challenge.

"(A lot of them would rather) stay under the radar and not be identified," she said. "They often feel embarrassed and don't want the school to know they're homeless."

Aside from a sense of shame, others may not reach out for aid, because they do not know where to go.

Once the families are identified, this is where YDS takes over.

Giacalone said that if the children are of preschool age, they are placed on the priority list at preschools funded by the state.

This is to ensure they are enrolled into a "quality childhood education experience," she said.

Giacalone said that homeless youths are generally invisible to society, partially because they do not want to be seen.

"It's a lot of transition to deal with for anyone — let alone a child," she said.

Contact Lauren Shiraishi at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com