The bill reauthorizes the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Among other things, it would significantly improve the quality of services available to help disconnected youth and would expand access to those programs – so that fewer runaway and homeless children are turned away from shelters. More than a million children experience homelessness each year; in many cases these children flee because of situations of abuse and neglect. Studies show that runaway and homeless youth are at greater risk of behavioral and mental health problems.

In addition, the bill would also increase transparency at the Department of Health and Human Services and provide funding for local community programs that help homeless and runaway youth. In 2005, these programs served more than 500,000 homeless and runaway children.

“We must protect our nation’s most vulnerable children, especially those who have been pushed out and are living on the streets. This legislation will give them the physical shelter and emotional support they need to start rebuilding their lives.  I commend Rep. Yarmuth for his leadership and dedication to providing runaway and homeless children across the country with the attention, stability, and hope they deserve.” -- Chairman George Miller

“This legislation will bring us significantly closer to ensuring that, in America, no child ever has to grow up without a home.  For more than a million children each year, this legislation could mean the difference between continuing to live on the streets without hope and finding a path to successful adulthood.” -- Rep. Yarmuth

“I would like to congratulate Rep. Yarmuth on this bill and commend him for his commitment to helping our nation’s runaway and homeless youth.  It is crucial that we do everything in our power to help the thousands of vulnerable young people in this country that are without a home.  The programs that are reauthorized in this bill will give runaway and homeless children a real chance at getting a new start in life and help them get on track to a better future.” -- Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities 

Social workers provide critical services across rural, urban and suburban areas.  They work with a wide variety of people, from children, families and the elderly, to those with mental health problems or substance abuse issues, to those who are incarcerated.  As baby boomers age, they will increasingly require more social work services, said Gary Bailey, associate professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at Simmons College in Boston, MA.

A master's degree in social work or a related field is now standard for many positions.  Dr. Robin Mama, dean of the School of Social Work at Monmouth University in Monmouth, NJ, said recruitment is the biggest challenge facing undergraduate social work programs, in part because of negative associations.  Mama also said there is a need for bilingual and trilingual social workers and cultural awareness and sensitivity.  More »