This panel highlights the powerful collaboration between community organizations and university researchers in addressing youth homelessness in Hawai‘i. Through data-driven research, community engagement, and the use of findings to inform program development, panelists will discuss how these partnerships create impactful solutions for this vulnerable population.
I am a sociologist specializing in medical sociology, the demography of aging, and survey methodology. My work involves multidisciplinary research, community needs assessment, program evaluation, and community education, all aimed at creating and translating credible, research-based... Read More →
I am a social worker by training, now specializing in macro level practice related to child and family well-being. My work integrates research and extension activities and focuses on assessing and evaluating the conditions of children and families in Hawai‘i through the use of program... Read More →
Judith Clark, MPH, is the Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network (HYSN), a statewide coalition of youth-serving organizations and a Pacific Islands training and technical assistance center. HYSN is recognized nationally as a leader in efforts to adapt evidence-based... Read More →
Systems Coordinator, Partners in Care - Oahu Continuum
Efren Berrones is the Systems Coordinator at Partners in Care, the Continuum of Care organization responsible for coordinating homeless services on Oahu. In this role, he focuses on identifying service gaps for underserved populations, including individuals involved with the justice... Read More →
Kathleen Gauci is a Project Coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center on the Family with a background in educational psychology. She is involved in research that focuses on promoting the well-being of children and families while informing policies and programs that... Read More →
Abstract Youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness face unique challenges, compared to their adult counterparts, in their pathways to stable housing. There are misconceptions about youth homelessness and what service and policy changes are needed for our community to reach functional zero homelessness for youth. Over the years, homeless service providers have partnered with University of Hawai‘i Center on the Family (COF) to better understand the experiences and service needs of homeless and runaway youth through data and research. The Street Youth Survey, conducted in 2016 in partnership with Waikiki Health and Hale Kipa (two leading organizations serving this population), was instrumental in providing a snapshot of youth homelessness on O‘ahu and furthering our understanding of this population’s experiences and service needs. Findings have been used to inform programming for this population. COF is now partnering with the Hawaii Youth Services Network – a statewide coalition of youth-serving organizations – to expand the earlier research and conduct a community needs assessment of homeless youth across the state of Hawai‘i. Community and research panelists will discuss the use of research for data-driven advocacy and program planning, the engagement of youth voices in research and program development, and upcoming research aimed at informing youth homelessness systems improvement.
