Public Service Clinics Topics

Rising Out of the Shadows (ROOTS) #2

Agency/Program Overview

Rising Out of the Shadows (ROOTS) is a University District organization providing critical services to street-involved, homeless and other low-income persons. Its principal programs are:

• Young Adult Shelter providing emergency services 365-nights-per-year to homeless young persons between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five (over 8000 bednights per year, showers and hygiene facilities, meals and access to case management).
   
• Friday Feast meal program, providing over 10,000 restaurant-quality meals per year on site and delivered to Tent City
   
• Staffed largely by homeless volunteers.

The current paid staff of ROOTS consists of a full time Executive Director and Shelter Director, supported by a half-time shelter Coordinator and quarter-time Meal Coordinator. Additionally, ROOTS employs two full-time National Service workers (ReadyCorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps), and three UW Work Study students who serve as Overnight Shelter Supervisors. Over one hundred volunteers support our shelter and meal programs.

Specific Research Question

We would like a network analysis of the continuum of care for homeless youth and young adults in the University District, with comparative analysis of similar networks of care in other cities. This will include:

• An annotated review of the policy and research literature on homelessness among youth and young adults, with emphasis on underlying factors related to homelessness (e.g., mental health and substance abuse issues, foster care).
   
• How well integrated is the continuum of care in the University District with other homeless services in the Seattle metropolitan area? How does collaboration occur among various agencies? Is there duplication of services?
   
• How does Seattle's network of services for homeless youth and young adults (emergency shelter and supportive services) compare with other cities of similar size?
   
• Needs assessment: Where are the gaps in the system and how best could these gaps be filled? How are these needs met in other communities? What factors need to be in place for a network of care to be successful?
   
• How can the network of care in the U District be made both more comprehensive and more efficient? What other communities have models to be emulated?

Key Steps

1. Review of secondary research literature pertinent to the study
2. Interviews with agency staff and community stakeholders
3. Interviews with policy makers and representatives of other social service agencies, and perusal of their program literature (brochures, annual reports, etc.)
4. Write final report

Additional Research Resources

Data sources: Earlier studies of homeless youth and young adults in Seattle and other communities, websites and program literature, secondary research literature, interviews with agency staff, policy makers, clients and other community stakeholders.

If you have questions about this topic or would like additional information, please contact Sinan Demirel at sinan@rootsinfo.org.