Public Sector Consultants is a woman-owned small business consulting firm with a mission to improve the quality of life for residents of Michigan and beyond through the development and implementation of innovative, actionable public policies. They received the Preschool Development Grant for Michigan which included a strategic plan to address early childhood homelessness in addition to this work with shelters and early childhood programs to strengthen services for children experiencing homelessness.

Partners for Impact has worked with Public Sector Consultants on two engagements centered on homelessness supports for children, youth and families. 

2025 Engagement

What is the problem the we are trying to solve?

In 2025, Partners for Impact subcontracted with Public Sector Consultants to conducted a needs assessment for The Mid and Southeast Michigan Youth Homelessness Regional Partnership (MSEMI YHRP). The project sought to address gaps in data and understanding that limited the region’s ability to effectively prevent and respond to homelessness, particularly among young adults ages 18–24 across a ten-county region of Michigan who often face barriers related to housing affordability, income, education, employment, and family instability.

What was our Process and Outcomes?

The assessment combined analysis of public datasets, homelessness program data, and interviews and focus groups with service providers, system partners, and young adults with lived experience of housing instability. The process identified key drivers of youth homelessness, including economic hardship, limited affordable housing, transportation challenges, fragmented systems, and unmet family and behavioral health needs. Findings also highlighted significant service gaps—especially for young adults ages 18–24—and informed recommendations to strengthen coordination, expand youth-specific life skills development, and improve and promote the region’s overall response to youth homelessness.

Full Report 

2023 Engagement 

In January 2023, Partners for Impact began work with Public Sector Consultants in Michigan to support family shelters in strengthening services for young children experiencing homelessness and child care centers in strengthening services for these same children and their families.

The Process:

Building on our work with Child Care Services Association through the Preschool Development Grant, we utilized the Early Childhood Self Assessment Tool for family shelters, providing technical assistance with staff from four shelters as they assessed their environments and practices and built improvement plans. Similarly, we supported the work of two child care centers in utilizing the Self Assessment Tool for Early Childhood Programs Serving Families Experiencing Homelessness.