Hawai‘i Youth Services Network
Providing Leadership
Encouraging Collaboration
Creating Partnerships
Homeless & Runaway Youth Services
Youth Homeless Systems Improvement Project
The Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) Project is a statewide initiative led by Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network (HYSN) to strengthen how Hawaiʻi prevents and responds to youth and young adult homelessness.
Rather than providing direct services, YHSI focuses on improving the overall system—bringing together partners, data, and youth voice to ensure young people can access the support they need in a coordinated, effective, and culturally responsive way.
Our Goal
To reduce youth and young adult homelessness in Hawaiʻi by building a coordinated, youth-informed, and evidence-based system of care that improves access, equity, and outcomes for young people.
What We Do
Youth Voice & Leadership
Youth are at the center of this work. YHSI supports youth leadership through advisory boards, trainings, and statewide engagement opportunities, including the Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit. Youth with lived experience help shape solutions, policies, and system improvements
Statewide Collaboration
YHSI brings together government agencies, nonprofits, and community partners across Hawaiʻi to strengthen coordination and reduce gaps in services. Through regular meetings, trainings, and shared communication systems, partners work together to improve outcomes for youth.
Data & Research
In partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Center on the Family, YHSI collects and analyzes data to better understand the needs of youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This includes surveys, focus groups, and ongoing data sharing to inform planning and decision-making.
System Improvement
YHSI works to improve key parts of the youth homelessness response system, including Coordinated Entry Systems (CES), to make them more accessible, youth-friendly, and effective.
Our Approach
YHSI is built on three key principles:
Youth-informed: Youth voices guide planning and decision-making
Evidence-based: Data and research drive strategy
Culturally grounded: Solutions reflect Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities
Our Partners
This work is made possible through collaboration with a statewide network of partners, including service providers, government agencies, and community organizations working together to improve outcomes for youth.
Our Vision
We are working toward a Hawaiʻi where no young person experiences homelessness—and every youth has access to the support, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Youth Street Outreach
Hawai‘i Youth Services Network leads a collaborative partnership across the state of Hawai‘i to provide Youth Street Outreach services to young people experiencing homelessness utilizing funding from the Federal Government's Department of Health and Human Services.
Due to changes in funding this partnership is currently being restructured. Check back in the coming weeks as we continue to update additional program information available online.
Transitional Living
Hawai‘i Youth Services Network leads a collaborative partnership across the state of Hawai‘i to provide Transitional Living services to young people transitioning to independent living from the foster care system or working out of houseless situations.
Due to changes in funding, this partnership is currently being restructured. Check back in the coming weeks as we continue to update additional program information available online.
Basic Center Program
Hawai‘i Youth Services Network leads a collaborative partnership across the state of Hawai‘i to provide the Basic Center Program, providing essential services to unsheltered young people in Hawai‘i utilizing funding from the Federal Government's Department of Health and Human Services.
Due to changes in funding, this partnership is currently being restructured. Check back in the coming weeks as we continue to update additional program information available online.