Blog

By Graham Bowman, Youth Health Attorney

A new policy enacted by the state of Illinois clarifies that homeless and unaccompanied minors can apply for their own public benefits without parental permission.

Youth Futures attorneys at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless advocated for this policy, in collaboration with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

When a young person loses housing, s/he risks losing many benefits of the social safety net as well. Rules for programs such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and TANF (cash assistance) allow unaccompanied minors and older youth to obtain these basic benefits. Yet homeless youth are routinely turned away by caseworkers when they attempt to apply at public benefits offices. These benefits are critical to the well-being of youth who are often disconnected from other systems of support.  Continue reading New state policy: Unaccompanied and homeless minors can apply for own public benefits without parental permission

Written by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, this blog article was first posted on NAEHCY’s website.

Our Law Project works with NAEHCY, advocating with members of the Illinois congressional delegation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) via the Every Student Succeeds Act.

BACKGROUND | EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The largest and most significant intervention for homeless children and youth is the public school system, which provides both basic services as well as the education that is necessary to avoid poverty as adults. The reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program and Title I Part A is an opportunity to make the law more effective by refining and improving key provisions, including identification, school stability, enrollment, and support for academic achievement.

Continue reading NAEHCY guest blog: U.S. Senate approves ‘Every Student Succeeds Act,’ goes to Pres. Obama for signing

December 16 update:

We’re awaiting final word, but it appears CCH was top vote-getter in this contest.

Thank you for your support during the week-long contest!

We’re grateful to report that the Yelp Foundation launched an online contest to award grants to local charities, including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The contest runs through Tuesday, December 15.

Please consider supporting CCH by voting here. A new vote can be cast every 24 hours.

Three non-profits in the Chicago area have been nominated to win grants of $2,000 to $5,000.

Also nominated for grants are After School Matters and the Red Door Animal Shelter.

The contest is also promoted on Twitter via the hashtag, #YFGivesLocal

Thanks for your help! If you have a minute, please ask friends to join you in supporting the work done by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Law Project Associate Director Beth Malik has been appointed by the Illinois Governor’s Office to the new Illinois (School) Attendance Commission.

The commission was created by legislators to work with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to recommend strategies to improve attendance and prevent chronic student absenteeism.

The commission is comprised of various stakeholders, including representatives from ISBE, other state agencies and education advocates. Beth was appointed to represent the interests of students and families who cope with “temporary living situations” due to homelessness.

Last school year, Illinois school districts identified more than 54,000 homeless students, with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) identifying more than 20,000. Many more students are not identified and therefore, not receiving services that may address attendance issues that they may have.  Continue reading Youth attorney named to new Illinois school attendance commission

Nov. 30 – Dollie Brewer retired Monday.

And it seemed a little too quiet this week without her upbeat personality in the office.

A senior community organizer, Mrs. Brewer staffed the Women’s Empowerment Project for almost 19 years. Over the years, Dollie reached thousands of homeless mothers with young children or single women. In recent years, she also helped mobilize low-wage men for the Fight for $15.

A staff breakfast honored Dollie and Executive Director Ed Shurna, who also retired Monday.  Continue reading Our Dollie Brewer retires

By Rachel Ramirez, Reentry Organizer

The Reentry Project Committee at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is pleased that the federal housing agency has announced it favors providing “second chances” that reduce barriers to public housing for people with criminal records.

In a “guidance” issued November 2 to public housing authorities, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said that arrest records can no longer be used to deny an applicant or evict a tenant from public housing or Housing Choice Vouchers. HUD said the rule change is being implemented because arrest records do not prove criminal activity.

President Obama also announced executive actions to help former prisoners rejoin society, including new policies impacting access to jobs, training and housing.  Continue reading HUD praises reentry pilots like those advocated by CCH’s Reentry Project