U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs for homeless youth aim to help them return home when possible or to live independently when that is not an option, and to minimize exposure to risk and risky behaviors. The following programs for Runaway and Homeless Youth are administered by HHS’s Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB):
- The Basic Center Program provides up to 21 days of emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and health care referrals for youth up to age 18. This program aims to reunite youth with their families if possible.[1]
- The Transitional Living Program provides supportive services and long-term housing in a group home, maternity home, host family home, or supervised apartment for youth ages 16 to 22. The program is focused on building self-sufficiency among youth experiencing homelessness and helping them to successfully transition to independent living or another appropriate living arrangement. Participants receive service coordination and referrals and individual and/or group counseling, as well as assistance building basic life skills.[2]
- The Maternity Group Homes for Pregnant and Parenting Youth Program supplements services available through the Transitional Living Program with additional supportive services focused on parenting skills, child development, family budgeting, and health and nutrition. Eligibility is limited to pregnant and/or parenting youth and their dependent children. [3]
- The Street Outreach Program aims to prevent the sexual abuse or exploitation of youth experiencing homelessness through street-based education and outreach by local grantees. Youth have access to emergency shelter, crisis intervention and counseling, referrals, and other services to enable them to get off the street.[4]
- Demonstration Grants for Domestic Victims of Severe Forms of Human Trafficking is a new grant program, created in 2013 in support of recommendations in the Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States. Three demonstration grants have been issued so far, with the goals of providing case management and comprehensive assistance to survivors of domestic trafficking as well as preventing trafficking among runaway and homeless youth and other at-risk populations. [5]
Beginning in FY2015, all Runaway and Homeless Youth program grantees began using their local Homeless Management Information System to enter and report data. The integration of the HHS and HUD data systems will enable agencies and service providers to develop a better picture of youth homelessness in their communities.[6]
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[1] Basic Center Program Fact Sheet. National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. February 2017.
[2] Transitional Living Program Fact Sheet web page. Updated June 2016. Accessed March 13, 2017.
[3] Maternity Group Homes Fact Sheet. National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. June 2016.
[4] Street Outreach Program. National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. February 2017.
[5] Demonstration Grants for Domestic Victims of Severe Forms of Human Trafficking Fact Sheet. National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth. August 2014.
[6] The 2015 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Part 2: Estimates of Homelessness in the United States. October 2016. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.