Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY)

Runaway and Homeless Youth Act

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) provides foundational support to address youth and young adult homelessness across the country. These grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), began providing resources in 1974 and allowed local systems of care to be developed and shaped by the unique needs of each region, their available resources, and their local policy priorities. Remarkably similar systems of care emerged in local communities all over the U.S., including: street outreach, emergency shelter, aftercare, education and employment, health care, behavioral health, transitional housing, family intervention, and independent housing options. This continuum of care helps fully prepare youth to achieve successful outcomes: safe exit from homelessness, family reunification, establishment of permanent connection(s), employment, and sustainable independent living. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), funds three key pillars of intervention to help homeless youth:

• Street Outreach Programs provides education, treatment, counseling and referrals to vital services
• Basic Center Programs provide temporary shelter, counseling, family reunification services and aftercare services
• Transitional Living Programs & Maternity Group Homes provide longer-term housing with supportive services

View the full text of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

Ohio RHY Programs and Providers

Basic Center Program (BCP)

Basic Center Program (BCP) works to establish or strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. The programs provide youth up to age 18 with emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and referrals for health care. BCPs can provide 21 days of shelter for up to 20 youth and seek to reunite young people with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate alternative placements. In addition to emergency shelter, many BCP grantees provide out-of-shelter services, including street-based services and home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation from their families. There are exceptions for jurisdictions that have different standards for licensing.

Transitional Living Programs & Maternity Group Homes

The Transitional Living Program and Maternity Group Homes fund community-based programs that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Both programs aim to increase young people’s safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency and to help them build permanent connections with caring adults.

Transitional living programs provide runaway and homeless youth with safe and appropriate shelter (usually up to 18 months), along with basic life skills, like money management, interpersonal skills, job skills and parenting skills (as appropriate). Projects also offer mental and physical health care and support educational advancement.

Maternity group homes are specialized transitional living programs that help pregnant and parenting homeless youth and their children. Maternity group homes provide the same services as transitional living programs, as well as skill building in parenting, child development, and family budgeting. Additionally child care, transportation, nutrition and health services, family planning, and pregnancy prevention services are available.

Street Outreach Program (SOP)

The Street Outreach Program enables organizations around the country to help young people get off the streets. To that end, the program promotes efforts by its grantees to build relationships between street outreach workers and runaway, homeless, and street youth. Grantees also provide support services that aim to move youth into stable housing and prepare them for independence. The program’s ultimate goal is to prevent the sexual abuse or exploitation of young people living on the streets or in unstable housing.

The map below indicates county coverage of RHY providers. Counties shown in blue are in the service area of a provider. Click on a county below to find a provider and learn more about their services.

RHY Resources

Federal Guidance

RHY Act – Authorizing Legislation
RHY Rules and Regulations
RHY Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
RHY Report to Congress
Foster Care Runway Memorandum

FAQs/ Grantee Resources

General FAQ
COVID-19 FAQ
CE for Youth
RHY HMIS FAQ

RHY Grant Writing Tips
RHY Fact Sheet

General Resources

RHY Evidence Based Practices Tip Sheet
General RHY Fact Sheet
BCP Fact Sheet
TLP Fact Sheet
SOP Fact Sheet
Nurturing Happiness in RHY Programs
Creating a Culture of Self-Care in RHY Programs 
Building Career Pathways for RHY Staff 
Creative Compensation to Increase RHY Staff Retention
Hiring the Right People in RHY Programs 
Here for Good Sustaining Your RHY Program with Local Support