The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness has renewed its partnership with VoYC to build on the lessons learned during the Orange County Youth Count in 2016. The continuing engagement of communities like central Florida is growing the impact of the VoYC youth-centered approach and strengthening local efforts to prevent and end youth experiences of homelessness.

VoYC conducted a survey of homeless and unstably housed youth in Orange County, FL in the summer of 2016. VoYC partnered with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness in the 2016 Youth Count.

Orange County stakeholders, led by the Commission, will use that experience to grow the VoYC Youth Count approach into an effort addressing Central Florida’s specific needs. The Commission is now spearheading the planning of a new iteration of the youth count approach for the Fall 2017 count, with the support of VoYC.

Changes to the Youth Count methodology include extending the count to cover the entire Central Florida Continuum of Care, including Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Moving the count from summer to fall will aid in capturing more youth in school than the 2016 VoYC Youth Count.

Matt Morton (left) and Alison Chrisler (right) of Chapin Hall with Shelley Lauten, CEO of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness. 

VoYC welcomes this opportunity to continue working with our partners in central Florida and other interested communities to expand and improve on the Youth Count. Explore our Tool Kit for further information and materials on the VoYC Youth Count methodology.