Guidance in Addressing COVID-19

Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees are encouraged to work closely with state and local public health authorities on issues related to addressing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their organization and community. Click here to access information and resources, such as the resources listed below, for RHY programs.

• Children Coping Factsheet
• Coping with Stress During an Infectious Disease (SAMSHA)
• COVID-19 Parent Handout
• Non-Congregate Approaches to Sheltering for COVID-19 | Homeless Response
• Shelter Management during an Infectious Disease Outbreak
• Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation

RHY COVID-19 FAQs

FYSB developed RHY COVID-19 FAQs for RHY grantees seeking additional information on flexibilities available specific to the administration of grants funded under the RHY Program. In addition, FYSB hosted a listening session for representatives of FYSB-funded RHY programs to review these FAQs. You may access the listening session here. 

RHY grantees are encouraged to contact their Federal Project Officer (FPO) to discuss individual programmatic, administrative, or financial questions their organization may have should they need further clarification or direction regarding guidance provided thus far. Learn more about the FAQs and access additional COVID-19 resources here.

RHY Grantee COVID-19 Flexibilities

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is sharing Information Memorandum IM-ACF-OA-2020-01 providing information on grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by the COVID-19. Learn more about the RHY Grantee COVID-19 Flexibilities here.

Welcome to RHYTTAC

The purpose of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) is to provide training and technical assistance to the FYSB RHY Program grantees and allied professionals by:

• Developing effective approaches to serving RHY;
• Accessing new resources to enhance grantee's ability to serve RHY and;
• Establishing linkages with other programs with similar interests and concerns.

RHYTTAC is here to ensure effective interventions are in place by grantees to build skills and capacities that contribute to the healthy, positive, and productive functioning of children and youth into adulthood.

Please contact the RHYTTAC training and technical assistance team at [email protected] with your questions, training needs, ideas, and other requests for assistance.

Building Trauma-Informed Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

FYSB and RHYTTAC are pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive interactive learning module series, Building Trauma-Informed Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Programs. This two-part, online module series is designed to support RHY grantees and all youth-serving agencies in adopting a universal, trauma-informed approach to serving youth experiencing unsafe or unstable living situations, homeless youth, and youth who are at risk of becoming homeless. Learn more and access these learning modules here.

RHY FAQs Available

Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs are funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) to provide specific services, as defined by federal legislation, regulations, and language included in applicable funding opportunity announcements. RHY grantees have shared questions, and to the extent possible, these questions have been categorized and corresponding guidance has been provided by FYSB. Access this information here.

Resources from the 2019 National RHY Grantees Training Available

FYSB and RHYTTAC are pleased to announce the release of the 2019 National Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Grantees Training post-event webpage. 

This page provides access to:

• 2019 National RHY Grantees Training program;
• 45^th Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) timeline;
• Videos of the general sessions; and
• Workshop resources.

The webpage may be accessed here.

Missed Opportunities: Evidence on Interventions for Addressing Youth Homelessness

To effectively address youth homelessness, policy makers and human service providers need research-based evidence to guide their decisions. New report by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Missed Opportunities: Evidence on Interventions for Addressing Youth Homelessness, summarizes what experts learned from a rigorous synthesis of research evidence on youth homelessness programs and practices.  Learn more here.

Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth: A Collaborative State and Local Demonstration Final Report

The Administration for Children and Families’ Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), in coordination with the Manhattan Strategy Group, has released the final report for the Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth (SSRHY) Demonstration Projects. Learn more and access the report here.

"Here For Good: Sustaining Your RHY Program with Local Support" is Available

The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) and Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) are pleased to release “Here For Good: Sustaining Your RHY Program with Local Support” – a sustainability resource for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Programs.

Feedback from the 2018 Runaway and Homeless Youth Grantee Assessment, 2018 National RHY Grantees Training, 2018 Regional Meetings, and other sources continues to emphasize sustainability as a key priority for grantees of FYSB’s RHY Program. While the population of youth needing RHY services has grown and the communities where such services are available have expanded, funding for programs has become increasingly competitive and limited. RHY programs are exceedingly challenged to engage community partners, develop diverse sources of funding and support, and eliminate dependence on federal funds. This resource includes strategies, case studies, and exercises to facilitate team exploration of strengths and opportunities. 

To view this resource, click here.