1. Chris-Ann met with:
2. Ebonii Warren-Watts – Resource Advocacy Manager, Resource Advocacy, Managers, Team Leaders and Supervisors
3. Julio Flores – Resource Advocacy Coordinator, Resource Advocacy
4. Arcadia Rom-Frank – Resource Advocacy- was not present/at work

General Info about Resource Advocacy 

A typical young person coming to BYC is:

1. – Most folks from the age 13-24 – we turn no one within age restriction away
2. – Homeless or at the risk of homelessness
3. – Folks who have low to no income, who are looking to get housing
4. – Folks who are seeking resources such as client assistance (a fund used for emergency services). We never give folks cash but we help apply the funds to whatever the emergency is such as I was locked out of my apartment and I need a new key to access my apartment. Funds could be used in the form of a money order to help client procure keys or rental assistance (one time use per year).
5. – New moms, parents.
6. – Formerly incarcerated young people.
7. – You people with mental health issues.
8. – Trans and gender non-conforming.

Resource Advocacy team sees every BYC client except individuals who are coming in for medical services only.

Clients coming in for “drop in” for the first time see Resource Advocacy team first for orientation and intake before they can get into the drop-in space. Resource Advocacy Team is first point of contact for new BYC client.

Resource Advocacy Team are last contact with BYC – when clients are aging out of program. Advocacy group provides “age out” plan when clients are nearing 25. Team works with them to plan on what they need; resources and services they will have access at 25. IDs, securing housing etc. Advocacy Team are the only team who still works with some clients who age out at 25 (but only for a few months).

Resource Advocacy Team are basically case managers without the case load. We advocate for services for our clients.  The AR team’s focus is mainly housing however AR covers all services (getting documents such as IDs, birth certificates etc).

1. – Average session 20-30 mins
2. – Intake session 45-60mins
3. – Housing assessments 40mins

An unusual day: AR team was able to see all clients at even pace, were able to take a lunch/self-care break, no escalation episodes and complete session notes

9am is the busiest and most intense time at BYC. 9-3pm is busy. BYC is slower paced between 3-7pm.

BYC is open on Saturdays from noon-5pm for clients 20 y/o and younger. Currently one AR staff member is on deck. The team is not sure how many AR staff will be on deck Saturdays in the new building when the staff number increases to eight (8).

Drop-in currently caps capacity at 15 clients.  Those who can’t make it to Drop-In stay in the Waiting Area while waiting to see AR team. Sometimes they really need to see the AR team other times clients don’t want to go back to “the streets” and sign up as way staying in the building.

Logjam occurs in the Waiting Room when Session/Huddle rooms are not available because they are not dedicated to AR use only. Friday is a “slow day” for an unknown reason.

1. The most rewarding part of work at BYC:
2. – Ebonii: At first when I got into this work (I have 10 years’ experience) it was because I identified with the community- I came from spaces like this as a young person – I wanted to make sure that people had access to all the resources they needed – resources I wasn’t able to access.  It was more to make a difference and help folks out. Now it’s still the same – I am a little burnt out.

Why is AR part of BYC?
– We are re-building trust with clients. Clients may have had awful experiences with former case managers. The AR program is unique – a lot of other drop in centers don’t offer rental assistance, client assistance, assessments or housing assistance. A lot of outside agencies/programs refer clients to BYC’s AR team.  We offer solutions to help clients build and maintain life skills and help keep clients housed if they are housed.

• How:
• – BYC clients: Folks feel great and at home because they are provided with services, they were not aware of HOWEVER this current space over time can be overwhelming.
• – BYC staff: When the center began it was an LGBT center serving an LGBT youth population. Now that we are serving a more heteronormative population some staff members feel discouraged by this because this is not what they signed up for.

Staff Quantity:

• – Current Staff: Ebonii, Julio, Arcadia and two (2) interns. The team currently has one (1) intern, LaQuan, but are planning on hiring one (1) full time person who will be shared with another team. The new staff member will service clients up to age 29, transgender/gender non-confirming, and will be shared with V.O.I.C.E.S.
• – Staff goal with new space: 8 total staff. One new staff member will work with TGNC drop-in doing the same resource advocacy and another will assist Arcadia with assessments and intake.

Staff Roles:

• – Ebonii: minimally client facing, mainly administrative – reports, budgeting, making sure programs are running well.
• – Juilo: services coordinator – working on the structure of the team, staff training, making connections with outside agencies (collaborating with others outside “drop-in” centers) specifically housing; also filling in doing client intake (sessions, assessments, services plan, progress notes etc).
• – Arcadia: assessments and sessions with BYC clients, service plans, progress notes – she’s working the floor in “Drop in”
• – Intern: Main role is administrative – data collecting; may fill in doing client intake if Arcadia isn’t available- but only when necessary.

Programs within BYC Resource Advocacy team collaborates with:

• – All programs except medical team and sexual reproductive team: Drop in, V.O.I.C.E.S, Education/vocational, violence prevention and behavioral health.
• – They don’t work with volunteers, but mainly interns. Interns are mainly AmeriCorp and SSA (social services administrative).

Current Capacity and Space:

The need is so great. They would like more time, space and staff for more private 1:1 session with clients.

Currently working with two (2) session rooms which were meant to be dedicated to Resource Advocacy team but not – rooms are often not available when needed.

1. – Ebonii: Home base is the admin office from 11:30am/noon-7:30/8pm.
2. – Arcadia: Home base is the Drop-In/Session Room from 9am-3pm and the Admin or Session Room from 3-5pm.
3. – Julio: Home base is the Admin Office; Reception (for intake); and Session Room from 9am-5/8pm.

Spaces We Discussed 

Drop-In Lounge

“Drop-in” is the heart of the center. Because BYC is understaff, staff members from every Team are helping out.

Julio: Drop-In space should be on first floor in the back away from street with access to daylight and privacy.

Ebonii: Drop in space should be on upper floors with access to daylight and privacy.

Client Peace Room/De-Escalation Space 

• Client waiting in “Drop-in” or reception must have quick and easy access. Space should be available to client for “unlimited” time – as long as needed to get through “issue”.

A lot of the escalation occurs at “Drop in” and the space has to be cleared of clients immediately.

A space for de-escalating and quiet space for meditation for clients – Peace Room? Garden?

Session/Huddle Rooms Dedicated to AR Team

Four (4) needed; 1:1 relationship between staff Resource Advocacy in-take member and session room.

One (1) Resource Advocacy team member with access to a dedicated HUDDLE ROOM for intake session – adjacent to the Waiting Area (if this is an initial contact point for everyone accessing BYC services).

Two (2) Resource Advocacy team members with access to dedicated HUDDLE ROOMS (2) for intake session adjacent to Drop-In Lounge.

One (1) Resource Advocacy team member with access to a dedicated HUDDLE ROOM for intake session adjacent to TGNC Space.

Roof 

Two spaces needed – one (1) client only and one (1) staff only.

For staff, a space is needed for “self-care” away from clients; need to be able to access space without passing through client space. Should not be able to see/hear etc. clients who may be using space as well.

Smoking/Outdoor Break Area

For staff, a space needed for smoke breaks away from clients not on sidewalk. Could be the garden space?

For clients, a space is needed for smoking that is not on street.

Staff Spaces 

RA staff need a private admin space dedicated to Resource Advocacy Team only.

• – One (1) Huddle room within space for “1:1 check-in” with Ebonii and a staff member (would be ok with sharing this space with another BYC admin team)
• – One (1) Private office for Manager and Coordinator (Ebonii and Julio)
• – Open office for six (6)
• RA staff need a staff lounge space for “self-care” (should be able to watch Netflix, play video games – whatever one’s self care method) away from clients; need to be able to access space without passing through client space.

Staff Peace Room/Meditation Space 

• RA staff need a Peace Room that is dedicated to staff. A space for meditation away from clients – Peace Room? Garden?

Storage Specific to AR Team 

Need storage for “starting kits”-air mattress, home supplies, cleaning supplies etc.

Storage for winter coats, boots, hats etc. provided by AID team.

Would love if a client store could be set up in basement – AR team would take clients down to shop for supplies, clothing etc.

Currently AR team member walks 2 blocks to storage unit for client supplies. The storage unit is currently full and shared with Drop- in. The storage unit is not accessible because items aren’t organized.

Programming (3-5pm and 5-7pm)

AR Team does not currently provide programming because there’s not enough staff. Arcadia participates in programming with another Team twice per week. In new space AR Team wants to provide programming focused on “life-skills”. A large wide-open space such as Event space, Multipurpose, Auditorium (any space large enough for big group). A space with windows and daylight – does not want the space to feel clinical.

Does not want pedestrians to be able to see into space from the street or train- privacy needed.