b'|Suicide Prevention Workplan - Los Angleles |45|46 |Suicide Prevention Workplan - Los Angleles|47 Homeless Youth In addition to the stress of separation from parents, caregivers, and natural supports, youth in foster care Young people experiencing homelessness often struggle with self-esteem, which puts them at risk forA large-scale study ofmay experience ongoing stressors including multiple substance use, suicide, and other negative outcomes. Youth with multiple minority identities (e.g. ethnic andyouth in the foster careplacements and frequent moves, feelings of loss and LGNTB) have higher suicide rates than those with single minority status (53). system in LA county foundshame, disruption of normal routines and challenges in that a disproportionatedeveloping and establishing social support networks. Among those experiencing homelessness, transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-24, LGBTQ individuals, andpercentage identied asIn some cases abuse or neglect in their foster ethnic minorities represent groups of elevated need. TAY who are also sexual minorities become homelesslesbian, gay, bisexual,placement occurs, multiplying the trauma some foster at twice the rate of heterosexual peers, often due to social and family conict. It is estimated that gay,youth experience. lesbian, bisexual, and transgender homeless adolescents are more than 8 times more likely to attempttransgender or questioning, suicide than hetereosexual peers. and the majority of LGBTQThe time during and after transition from foster care youth in foster care wherecan also be a perilous one for youth aging out of the also youth of color. Withinsystem. The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth is a large-scale Suicide Prevention Strategies for Homeless Populationsthis group, LBGTQ youthlongitudinal study from the University of Chicago that had a higher than averagefollowed a cohort of former foster youth at the time of Suicide prevention strategies such as gatekeeper training, screening, interventions to support thosenumber of placements,leaving the foster system and for several years after. thinking about suicide, and reducing access to lethal means, have demonstrated effectiveness within the dominant population within specic populations (such as veterans, NA/AN populations, youth inwere more likely to beOne third to one half of transition age youth (TAY) schools, and older adults). These strategies have not been tested in populations of homelessliving in a group home,leaving foster care had not received any assistance individuals, including youth, TAY, or those in diverse cultural and sexual identity groups, which areand reported more negativewith independent living skills and services; nearly one overrepresented in the homeless population. How these strategies would be implemented amongexperiences with the childthird met diagnostic criteria for one or more mental or homeless and culturally diverse groups are less explored. Training programs and interventions towelfare system (59).behavioral health disorders; many had struggled in address suicide risk as well as strategies to reduce risk specically in homeless and culturally diverseschool; and two-thirds of young men and one half of populations are needed (54). young women had been involved in some way with the juvenile justice or criminal justice system (60).Many of the youth in this study continued to struggle with education, housing, employment, behavioral Youth in Foster Care health, and criminal justice involvement for years after exiting the system. When comparing states with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) including abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) or neglect;different age limits for foster care, some outcomes were improved when foster care was extended parental death, incarceration, or substance abuse; and family suicidality can increase the risk of suicidefrom 18 to 21 years of age to increase the amount of time young people have to learn skills they need ideation and attempts by 1.4 to 2.7 times, and this risk carries into adulthood (55). Associations of adversefor self-sufciency (61).childhood experiences and suicidal behaviors in adulthood in a U.S. nationally representative sample. Child: Care, Health and Development, Vol.45(1): 121-128). The negative impacts of ACEs are cumulative,Strategies for preventing suicide among youth in foster meaning the greater the number of adverse experiences, the higher the risk. By denition, every child in foster care has experienced at least one ACE, and studies have shown that they are far more likely to havecare and transitioning from foster care include experienced at least 4 ACEs (56). Educating and training foster parents and foster caregivers about Youth in foster care are at higher risk for attempting or seriously considering suicide (57). Mental health andthe warning signs of suicide and how to help; planning for safety including reducing substance abuse disorders are risk factors for suicide among youth, and youth in foster care are more likelyaccess to lethal means (including rearms, medications, and alcohol) in the home or to have mental health and substance abuse disorders than those who have never been in foster care (58).group setting; and trauma.Youth in foster care are about 2.5 times more likely to have seriously considered suicide and almost 4 times Helping foster care agencies and group home settings have crisis more likely to have attempted suicide than other youth (58). and postvention plans to support youth at risk as well as their peers. Ensuring foster youth and young adults leaving foster care have access to and continuity of behavioral health care, as well as other supports to promote crucial life skills (62).Draft 3.3.2020 Not For Distribution Draft 3.3.2020 Not For Distribution'