Connecting Youth to Services 

Coordinated Entry is a process developed to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to housing services and assistance. Through Coordinated Entry, households in need of assistance are quickly identified, assessed for, referred, and connected to housing and assistance based on their strengths and needs.

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In Madison/Dane County until 2023, our young people experiencing homelessness were being coordinated with the older adult population, who had very different needs. Because of this, and lack of youth-specific programs, young people were prioritized low on the Coordinated Entry List. This meant that it was not likely that a young person would be connected quickly to resources or support.

In 2021 prior to YHDP, it was reported that roughly 20% of young people who enter shelter were later connected to programs, many of them after waiting long times on the Coordinated Entry List. 

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But now, we have a New Youth Specific Coordinated Entry Process!