Dear colleagues:
What?: This tool may be used by educators, homeless response service providers, and other community partners working with youth and young adults (YYA) experiencing homelessness to guide YYA clients through a discussion of their interests and skills. The tool
- uses motivational interviewing questions to help determine YYA’s interest in pursuing further education,
- provides online resources to help YYA explore education and career pathways and determine possible pathway options in areas of interest,
- includes information on how to pay for higher education, and
- recommends next steps towards the YYA’s goals.
When? The tool can be used during the intake process/at the time of identification of the YYA, or later after the YYA’s basic needs, such as housing and food, have been met.
Why?: Many YYA experiencing homelessness have shared that they are interested in pursuing education and training despite the challenges of housing instability, but often are not aware of the options available to them. Educators, case managers, navigators, and other service providers have shared that they’d like to have more intentional conversations with YYA experiencing homelessness about their education goals but aren’t sure how to go about it. NCHE’s hope is that this tool will help address these needs.
By working together, YYA experiencing homelessness and their adult allies can help YYA make informed decisions about their future, and get the education and training they need to secure living-wage employment and make a sustainable exit from homelessness. Download NCHE’s
Education Goals and Supports: A Guided Discussion Tool and begin using it now! Also, feel free to share this new resource with interested colleagues.
Shout out to NCHE’s Megan Johnson for her hard work on this tool, and to the Youth Action Board members and community partners who shared their feedback during the tool’s development.
Best regards,
Christina Dukes
Deputy Director, Partnerships and Policy
National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) | 
