NE1: Care For Those In Need Act (Signed)

[Blair]

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Sponsor is Winfield. He has 36 hours to advocate for this bill

[Blair]

Fully support this bill, in fact I'd be happy to see it being expanded

[Blair]

Didn't have time to make my comments earlier today so I'd expand here.

I'd want to see specific care for LGBTQ teens, whilst we've done a lot to help LGBTQ citizens they still face challenges especially at that age.

In regards to women with 'young children' what's the age cut off?

[Blair]

Didn't have time to make my comments earlier today so I'd expand here.

I'd want to see specific care for LGBTQ teens, whilst we've done a lot to help LGBTQ citizens they still face challenges especially at that age.

Community kitchens and homeless shelters are open to all, so I really do not see the need to have specific facilities for LGBTQ teens.

We could have counselling services for LGBTQ teens, but these counselling services would not be LGBTQ specific, but for all in need of these counselling services.

Allow me to clarify.

I recognize that LGBTQ teens face many challenges, however, there are many teens, be they  straight, gay, bi, or whatever, who are facing challenges at this time in their lives.

My idea would be to have specific shelters geared toward homeless teens, teens who have left home due to whatever circumstances, abusive parent or parents, or have been kicked out of their homes.  

These facilities would have the resources and the personnel to deal specifically with this age group.

These facilities would be in a position to provide a safe place for these teens, where they could receive proper meals, have a warm and comfortable place to sleep, so they are not sleeping under a bridge or in a vacant, cold building somewhere.

These facilities would as well have qualified counsellors to help these teens navigate through these difficult times.

But my idea would be to have these facilities open to all teens, like I say, be they straight, gay, bi or whatever.  

These facilities would as well accept teens who are not homeless, but who just need a place to come to during the day, as long as they are not skipping school, a place to meet and talk with other teens, a place to talk to a counsellor perhaps, a place to participate in recreational activities with other teens.

I agree with that, but the thing is is that LGBTQ teens need a safe environment to go to. It's something that's being talked about more, and it's basically to ensure that their physical and mental health isn't at risk. I can't see a one size fits all approach being beneficial

[Blair]

Didn't have time to make my comments earlier today so I'd expand here.

I'd want to see specific care for LGBTQ teens, whilst we've done a lot to help LGBTQ citizens they still face challenges especially at that age.

Community kitchens and homeless shelters are open to all, so I really do not see the need to have specific facilities for LGBTQ teens.

We could have counselling services for LGBTQ teens, but these counselling services would not be LGBTQ specific, but for all in need of these counselling services.

Allow me to clarify.

I recognize that LGBTQ teens face many challenges, however, there are many teens, be they  straight, gay, bi, or whatever, who are facing challenges at this time in their lives.

My idea would be to have specific shelters geared toward homeless teens, teens who have left home due to whatever circumstances, abusive parent or parents, or have been kicked out of their homes.  

These facilities would have the resources and the personnel to deal specifically with this age group.

These facilities would be in a position to provide a safe place for these teens, where they could receive proper meals, have a warm and comfortable place to sleep, so they are not sleeping under a bridge or in a vacant, cold building somewhere.

These facilities would as well have qualified counsellors to help these teens navigate through these difficult times.

But my idea would be to have these facilities open to all teens, like I say, be they straight, gay, bi or whatever.  

These facilities would as well accept teens who are not homeless, but who just need a place to come to during the day, as long as they are not skipping school, a place to meet and talk with other teens, a place to talk to a counsellor perhaps, a place to participate in recreational activities with other teens.

I agree with that, but the thing is is that LGBTQ teens need a safe environment to go to. It's something that's being talked about more, and it's basically to ensure that their physical and mental health isn't at risk. I can't see a one size fits all approach being beneficial

OK, but the LGBTQ issue can be dealt with in a separate bill.

If it's given a separate bill then I'd support a funding cut on this bill to support it

[Blair]

Didn't have time to make my comments earlier today so I'd expand here.

I'd want to see specific care for LGBTQ teens, whilst we've done a lot to help LGBTQ citizens they still face challenges especially at that age.

Community kitchens and homeless shelters are open to all, so I really do not see the need to have specific facilities for LGBTQ teens.

We could have counselling services for LGBTQ teens, but these counselling services would not be LGBTQ specific, but for all in need of these counselling services.

Allow me to clarify.

I recognize that LGBTQ teens face many challenges, however, there are many teens, be they  straight, gay, bi, or whatever, who are facing challenges at this time in their lives.

My idea would be to have specific shelters geared toward homeless teens, teens who have left home due to whatever circumstances, abusive parent or parents, or have been kicked out of their homes.  

These facilities would have the resources and the personnel to deal specifically with this age group.

These facilities would be in a position to provide a safe place for these teens, where they could receive proper meals, have a warm and comfortable place to sleep, so they are not sleeping under a bridge or in a vacant, cold building somewhere.

These facilities would as well have qualified counsellors to help these teens navigate through these difficult times.

But my idea would be to have these facilities open to all teens, like I say, be they straight, gay, bi or whatever.  

These facilities would as well accept teens who are not homeless, but who just need a place to come to during the day, as long as they are not skipping school, a place to meet and talk with other teens, a place to talk to a counsellor perhaps, a place to participate in recreational activities with other teens.

I agree with that, but the thing is is that LGBTQ teens need a safe environment to go to. It's something that's being talked about more, and it's basically to ensure that their physical and mental health isn't at risk. I can't see a one size fits all approach being beneficial

OK, but the LGBTQ issue can be dealt with in a separate bill.

If it's given a separate bill then I'd support a funding cut on this bill to support it

No.  The funding can be provided separately.

It seems stupid to include funding for one protected minority in this bill (Abused Partners) without providing for another. I don't understand why we can't provide safe spaces to LGBTQ teenagers when suicide rates are much higher, and they're under much greater risk. 40% of homeless youths are LGBTQ, and we need to protect these people just as much as we need to protect abused partners

I'm not asking to make it a LGBTQ only facility, I'm simply asking for a provision in the bill to allow them separate protection-something you've put in for another minority

[Blair]

Much appreciated

[Blair]

Yeah it all looks good, the funding idea is good as it ensures that every program has equal provisions. I appreciate Winfield's efforts to get a bi-partisan bill, and I fully support it

[Blair]

Any thoughts on this from other members?

[Blair]

Well the budget was increased for those two provisions wasn't it?

[Blair]

Yeah those numbers look good

[Blair]

I reject that amendment, this sounds like something from the 1980's.

The whole point of government is to protect the most vulnerable in society. LGBT shelters per head will cost more money, because of the nature of them. LGBT teens are 4x more likely to end up homeless, they're more likely to be assaulted, they're more likely to get HIV and they're more likely to be turned away from shelters.

http://www.childtrends.org/homelessness-among-lgbt-youth-a-national-concern/

[Blair]

Okay lets vote on the final bill. All members have 48 hours to vote Aye, Nay or Abstain

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[Blair]

Aye

[Blair]

By 5-0 this bill has passed the Assembly, and will be sent to the Governor to sign