Youth Shelter, Ages 12-17
Briarpatch Youth Services
(608) 251-1126
(800) 798-1126 (toll free)
(608) 285-2276 (text only)
In addition to other services, Briarpatch Youth Services, offers temporary shelter (1-27 days) to Dane County youth ages 12-17. Admissions to shelter are considered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An in-person intake must be completed before shelter can be offered, but does not guarantee placement. Please call ahead to check on intake process, bed availability and eligibility for shelter before coming directly to the agency Please note, the Briarpatch shelter program is voluntary and youth have a say in determining if a stay at shelter is best for them.
For shelter inquiries or questions, please call 608-251-1126 or toll free at 800-798-1126. Questions can be sent via text to 608-285-2276, which is checked Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Street Outreach Program, Ages 12-24
Briarpatch Youth Services
(608) 251-1126
Street Outreach Referral Form
In addition to other services, Briarpatch Youth Services provides Street Outreach services to youth ages 12-24 who are housing insecure or living on the street. Outreach staff work to connect youth/young adults to emergency shelter and/or safe housing, support services and provide culturally relevant information on sexually transmitted infections, prevention and referral for treatment services. Youth can complete the Street Outreach Referral Form to connect with services.
Drop-in Center & System Navigation, Ages 17.5-24
EverStrong Program
(608) 255-8582, ask to speak to a System Navigator
The EverStrong Program, operated by OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, provides a Drop-in Center and System Navigation Services.The EverStrong Drop-in Center is located at 2701 International Lane, Suite 100 in Madison, WI. They are open Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 6:00 PM. Youth ages 17.5 - 24 experiencing housing instability or homelessness can drop-in to use computers, relax in a safe space, and connect to System Navigation Services. System Navigators work with youth and young adults to create and achieve realistic and attainable goals that honor the participant’s individual identity. They provide support to participants on their journey to housing stability, including connection to Coordinated Entry.
Coordinated Entry - Youth Housing, Ages 17.5-24
Coordinated Entry is a system designed to create a more equitable and streamlined process for connecting and allocating our community’s limited homelessness related resources. Through Coordinated Entry, households in need of assistance are identified, assessed for, referred, and connected to housing and assistance based on their strengths and needs.
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Accessing Coordinated Entry
Youth and Young Adults access Coordinated Entry - YHDP Housing through EverStrong’s System Navigation Program and Briarpatch Youth Services Street Outreach Program.
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Assessment
System Navigators will talk with youth to learn about their current housing situation. Information will be gathered about where youth are currently staying, any safety concerns, strengths and needs. This information will be used to determine which level of service the youth needs to gain housing stability.
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Referral
Briarpatch Youth Services and Everstrong provide transitional housing and rapid rehousing services to youth ages 17 - 24 who are referred by Coordinated Entry. Transitional housing offers temporary rental lease support to those who need a safe, private place to stabilize on their way to their long-term housing solution. Rapid Rehousing offers assistance in locating housing, short- or long-term housing support which includes rental assistance and support services.
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When there is a housing opening, YHDP providers will meet to discuss the needs of Coordinated Entry participants and prioritize people for the opening.
