Abstract Summary/Description
In this exploratory study, a convenience sample of Atlanta's unhoused youth is examined to uncover misconceptions about the most needed support for youth experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, Georgia. The study uses secondary data from the 2015 Atlanta Youth Count and Needs Assessment (AYCNA), a community-based field survey of Atlanta's unhoused youth aged 14 to 25. Participants were asked about their contact with homeless service providers in the thirty days before being surveyed, with specific providers such as "Covenant House" and “Chris Kids” being listed. The study aims to explore Atlanta's homelessness efforts for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth using minority stress theory and an intersectional approach. Descriptive and bivariate statistics, along with logistic regression, are used to measure the connection between participants' demographics and their contact with service providers. The study seeks to understand how participants interact with different service provider agencies and highlight which youth demographics are most in contact with treatment services in metro Atlanta, Georgia. The findings suggest a need for further research to enhance service providers' outreach capabilities.
