A new rule to improve performance standards and program requirements for runaway and homeless youth is announced today by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), at the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF).
The new rule builds upon existing policies and guidance to better support runaway and homeless youth by improving nondiscrimination protections for youth, strengthening training and professional development for service providers, define safe and appropriate exits from homelessness and require aftercare planning for all youth exiting programs. The rule also clarifies statutory changes made to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 2008.
The new rule specifically prohibits discriminatory exclusion from programs and services on the basis of gender identity/expression and sexual orientation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth cannot be discriminated against or excluded from RHY programs and services. The new guidelines also prohibit youth in care from being treated or referred to treatment to conversion or reparative therapies that aim to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
In July 2015, HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) along with a panel of experts from the American Psychological Association released a comprehensive report that found such therapies are not effective, are harmful, and are not appropriate therapeutic practices.
As a result of the final rule, runaway and homeless youth program grantees will be required to:
According to the recently released Street Outreach Program Data Collection Study, a survey of a subset of homeless youth served by FYSB grantees, more than half of the youth became homeless because they were asked to leave home by a parent or caregiver.
Runaway and homeless youth programs serve and protect nearly 30,000 youth experiencing homelessness each year through the Street Outreach Program, Basic Center Program, Transitioning Living Program and Maternity Group Homes for Pregnant and Parenting Youth. The RHY programs also provide funding to grantees to improve the quality of services to runaway and homeless youth through research, demonstration projects, the National Runaway Safeline, training and technical assistance.
“The Obama Administration has worked toward a goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020.”
“This rule supports that effort by establishing new requirements for programs that serve runaway and homeless youth, including performance standards, background check requirements for staff, requirements for equitable and non-discriminatory treatment, and requirements for “after-care” plans for youth leaving programs.”
“It is estimated that up to 40 percent of youth who are homeless in our country identify as LGBTQ. These regulations continue our commitment to serving all youth experiencing homelessness—regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”
“We want to ensure that all runaway and homeless youth have access to high quality housing and supportive services. We want our youth to be respected for who they are and to receive the help they need, when they need it.”
Administration for Children & Families
Office of Communications
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: (202) 401-9215
Fax: (202) 205-9688
Email: media@acf.hhs.gov