YHDP is a HUD funded program designed to drastically reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness.  Eligible youth populations include those youth ages 24 and under who are literally homeless, "couch surfing' youth, youth fleeing violence, as well youth who are at imminent risk of homelessness. In 2018, the Nebraska Balance of State CoC was selected as a Round 2 YHDP demonstration community, with an award amount of $3.28 million towards two years of funding. An annual amount of $1.64 million has been renewed under the Nebraska CoC program.  YHDP is currently available across the entire Nebraska Balance of State as well as City of Lincoln.

Offering opportunities for positive change to individuals, families & communities.

Central Plains offers two YHDP funded projects.  These projects include:

1) Coaching: Central Plains Center for Services provides one on one, youth-driven, strength-based Coaching to all eligible YHDP youth across the Nebraska Balance of State. This coaching model emphasizes each young person has a safe and reliable place to call home; healthy connections to family, community, school, and social networks; education, training, and employment opportunities; permanent connections; and social/emotional well being. The Coach works together with the youth to develop an individualized Independent Living Plan to identify those goals most important to the youth and their future. This plan is developed in partnership with the young person and guides the work between the youth and their coach. Goal areas include: Housing/Daily Living, Education, Employment, Personal/Community Engagement, Physical/Behavioral Health, Economic Stability, Transportation. 

2) Rapid Response:  Central Plains' provides a YHDP Rapid Response project that functions both as a diversion program, preventing youth that are not yet in a literally homeless situation from ever entering, and as a rapid rehousing program to quickly move those youth that are recently homeless into permanent housing. This allow us to specifically focus on those youth that need short-term but immediate rental assistance and support assistance in order to avoid entering a critical homeless situation.

Central Plains works collaboratively with all YHDP funded projects in Nebraska, which includes 7 housing projects that offer youth opportunities for housing navigation and on-going rental assistance. Eligible youth are identified through the All Doors Lead Home Coordinated Entry System. The Nebraska Balance of State has created and implemented the All Doors Lead Home Coordinated Entry System that is working to: • identify all youth who are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness through outreach and public doors access; • prevent or divert those individuals and/or families from becoming homeless, • properly assess needs and prioritization • effectively link all youth experiencing homelessness to housing and services solutions that are tailored to their needs in a timely manner Youth experience various situations prior to coming into contact with homeless service agencies and therefore, coordination is required with a wide variety of service providers to meet their needs of permanency.

Youth homeless demonstration program

Helping youth find permanent housing and personal sustainability

Program Contacts:

Andra White, Chief Executive Director

308-872-6595

Sara Shalon, Project Director

402-270-0807