Virtual Provider Learning Exchange: Understanding Outcomes, Data, and Effective Practices in Youth Homelessness Programs
Date Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time 2:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern (11:00 PM Central, 12:00 PM Mountain, 11:00 AM Pacific)
This is an invitation to youth homelessness services providers to join NN4Y and research partners from the Society for Social Work Research, Youth & Young Adult Homelessness Special Interest Group for a two-hour virtual learning exchange designed to explore how providers define and measure success, what outcomes they track, what data they collect and for whom, and the program components they believe are most critical to achieving positive outcomes for young people.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how other youth homelessness organizations are measuring impact, balancing data collection requirements, and identifying the interventions and supports that contribute most significantly to youth well-being, stability, and long-term success.
Meeting Objectives
- Learn what outcomes youth homelessness providers are tracking and why.
- Understand what data providers collect, how it is used, and for whom it is reported.
- Identify the core program components providers believe drive positive outcomes for youth.
- Surface common themes, challenges, and promising practices across diverse program models.
- Inform future efforts to strengthen outcome measurement and evidence-building in the youth homelessness sector.
Facilitators:
- Darla Bardine, Executive Director, National Network for Youth
- Dr. Sarah Narendorf, Ph.D., LCSW, Society for Social Work and Research
- Dr. Alex Wagaman, Ph.D., Society for Social Work and Research
Providers Presenting:
- Home Base, Wisconsin
- Larkin Street, California
- LifeWorks, Texas
- Preble Street, Maine
- Sasha Bruce Youthworks, DC
- Sea Haven, South Carolina
- Second Story, Virginia
- WestCare Pacific Islands, Guam
- Youth In Need, Missouri
Registration is required to receive the join link. For any questions, email member@nn4youth.org.
CEO as a Fundraiser: Don’t Build Your Organization on Sand
Date Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time 3:30 – 4:30 PM Eastern (2:30 PM Central, 1:30 PM Mountain, 12:30 PM Pacific)
Sustainable organizations are built on strong relationships, diversified revenue, and a CEO who embraces fundraising as a core leadership responsibility. This Executive Support Session will explore how nonprofit CEOs can create a culture of philanthropy, build authentic relationships with donors and funders, and avoid overreliance on any single funding source. Through candid discussion and practical examples, participants will gain strategies for strengthening their fundraising leadership, engaging their boards, and laying a solid foundation for long-term organizational stability. Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to elevate your approach, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to help ensure your organization is built to thrive—not on sand.
To ensure confidentiality, AI note-taking is not available. Registration is required to confirm membership and receive the join link. For any questions, contact member@nn4youth.org.
November Check-In for NN4Y Members
Date Tuesday, October 10, 2026
Time 1:00 – 1:30 PM Eastern (12:00 PM Central, 11:00 AM Mountain, 10:00 AM Pacific)
These informal, virtual sessions are a chance to connect with NN4Y staff, including our Executive Director, Director of Community Strategies, and Senior Policy Associate, to chat about youth homelessness policy, community strategies, youth action boards, and anything else relevant to our members.
These check-ins are open to all of our members, including anyone working at an organizational member.
To join, please complete this registration form. Once your membership is confirmed, you’ll get the join link by email. This join link will be the same link for all 2026 check-ins. You only need to complete registration once.
Building Systems That Work for Minors Experiencing Homelessness
Date Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time 3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern (2:00 – 3:00 PM Central, 1:00 – 2:00 PM Mountain, 12:00 – 1:00 PM Pacific)
Minors experiencing homelessness are often overlooked because their experiences are largely hidden from traditional homelessness systems and data. Many young people couch surf, move between temporary places to stay, or avoid systems altogether because they fear being separated from family or entering foster care or the juvenile legal system.
Join NN4Y for a webinar exploring key findings and recommendations from our latest policy brief on building systems that work for unaccompanied minors experiencing homelessness.
We’ll examine the unique pathways into homelessness and challenges faced by minors, discuss policy solutions, and highlight innovative strategies that providers are using across the country to build pathways to safety, housing, and support, whether or not a parent or guardian is available.
