The best way to end youth homelessness is to prevent it from happening or intervene as soon as possible. YouthCare’s early intervention and specialized services support young people who are at risk of homelessness, with a unique focus on populations disproportionately at risk: youth of color, youth who identify as LGBTQ+, youth who have been sexually exploited, and youth who have experienced the juvenile detention or child welfare system. Staff also work with the caring adults in young people’s lives to ensure each youth finds safe housing or returns home quickly.

Programs & Specialized Services

Bridge Collaborative

YouthCare coordinates the Bridge Collaborative, a multi-agency partnership across King County focused on providing case management, support, and resources to youth and young adults experiencing labor trafficking, sex trafficking, or sexual violence. The Bridge Collaborative was established through a historic partnership led by YouthCare and the City of Seattle in collaboration with municipal and county authorities, health professionals, service providers, foundations, and private donors.

School-based services

YouthCare’s Student Resource Navigators are based at Seattle Public Schools Interagency Academy, a network of community-based alternative high schools located throughout the city, as well as Shoreline Public Schools and Teen Centers. Navigators support students and families who are unstably housed to address barriers that impact school performance and attendance.

Detention-based services

YouthCare’s Transition Case Managers provide case management to young people inside detention and upon their release so that no young person exits detention into homelessness.

Family services

  • YouthCare’s Youth and Family Connection Network (YFCN), run in partnership with the YMCA, assists young people and their families who are experiencing homelessness or a crisis that could lead to homelessness. YFCN case managers help young people engage with the supports in their lives to find stability.
  • YouthCare’s Housing Stabilization Case Managers provide financial resources and community-based case management to youth and families at imminent risk of homelessness in King County so they can avoid homelessness and remain stably housed over time.

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