Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Public Policy Update Presentation to National Safe Place March 10, 2010 by Bob Reeg Public Policy Director National Network for Youth

Presentation Outline Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness Contact Information: Bob Reeg, Public Policy Director, National Network for Youth,

Acronym Glossary BCPBasic Center Program FSPFederal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness GAOU.S. Government Accountability Office HHSU.S. Department of Health and Human Services P.L.Public Law NN4YNational Network for Youth REDSResearch, Evaluation, Demonstration, Services RHYARunaway and Homeless Youth Act SOPStreet Outreach Program TLPTransitional Living Program USICHUS Interagency Council on Homelessness

Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act

Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act Fast Facts P.L Enacted October 8, Reauthorizes and strengthens federal RHYA programs. Component of NN4Y’s Place to Call Home policy blueprint.

P.L Provisions Funding. Admission and Length of Stay Criteria. Applicant Eligibility, Use of Funds, and Funding Conditions. Federal Program Management. National Activities.

Funding Reauthorizes and increases authorization levels for RHYA programs. RHY consolidated account at $140 million. RHY street outreach account at $25 million. Authorization period through FY 2013.

Funding Increases BCP minimum state allotment to $200,000 (from $100,000). Increases BCP minimum territory allotment to $70,000 (from $45,000). Permits HHS to redistribute unexpended BCP funds to BCP applicants in other states, for a one-year period.

Project Admission and Length of Stay Criteria Limits BCPs to providing shelter services to individuals less than 18 years of age. Allows TLP to serve youth up until their 22 nd birthday. Allows extensions in length of stay in BCP to 21 days (from 15 days). Allows extensions in length of stay in TLP to 21 months (from 18 months).

Applicant Eligibility, Use of Funds, Funding Conditions Adds public entities as eligible applicants for SOP funds. Clarifies that RHYA funds are to be distributed to organizations, and not directly to program participants. Requires BCP and TLP projects to have written emergency management and crisis response plans.

Federal Program Management Requires HHS to develop performance standards for RHYA grantees. Requires GAO to assess grant-making process. Adds a finding on positive youth development. Adds statutory definition of “runaway youth.”

National Activities Authorizes HHS to develop a periodic national estimate of the incidence and prevalence of youth homelessness. Requires HHS to establish REDS priorities each two years.

National Activities Includes education and workforce projects as eligible REDS projects. Includes innovative housing projects as eligible REDS projects.

FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations

FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations Fast Facts RHYA programs organized into two appropriations accounts: –consolidated account (BCP, TLP, national activities) –prevention account (SOP) $115 million for RHYA in FY $ 750,000 increase over FY 2009.

FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations NN4Y Recommendation $165 million for RHYA in FY $50 million increase over FY For additional information, visit policy/policy-platform/rhya- appropriations.

FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations Opportunities for Action Ask Senators and Representatives to include RHYA in their annual program request letters to appropriators. Ask Representatives to add their name to a forthcoming “Dear Colleague letter on RHYA funding.

FY 2011 RHYA Appropriations Opportunities for Action Take Action on RHYA appropriations at the NN4Y Youth Policy Action Network. Visit policy/NCYP/youth-policy-action-network.

Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness

Federal Strategic Plan Fast Facts USICH required to develop a federal strategic plan to end homelessness. Plan to be submitted to Congress by May USICH is organizing the strategic plan by homeless subpopulation, including homeless youth.

Federal Strategic Plan NN4Y Recommendation FSP must detail a national strategy to prevent and end homelessness for all Americans. NN4Y supports federal response to unique needs of unaccompanied homeless youth. NN4Y’s Place to Call Home Campaign provides a blueprint for a federal youth homelessness plan.

Federal Strategic Plan NN4Y Recommendation NN4Y offers recommendations in the areas of: –Prevention of youth homelessness. –Interventions for homeless youth. –National capacity-building. NN4Y recommendations will be posted soon at

Federal Strategic Plan Opportunities for Action USICH receiving public comment on FSP through electronic input. Opportunity to submit a comment OR to vote on comments submitted by others. Public comment period closes March 15, 2010.

Federal Strategic Plan Opportunities for Action To submit comments or to vote on others’ comments (including NN4Y comments), visit: can-we-prevent-and-end-homelessness- for-youth-