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Blau, Joel. Abramovitz, Mimi. (2014). The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy. 4th Edition. Oxford                                 University press.

Esparza, Nicole. (2009). Community factors influencing the prevalence of homeless youth services. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(12), 1321-1329

Family and Youth Services Bureau. (2012). 40 Years of  Serving Runaway and Homeless Youth:  Timeline. Retrieved from https://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/book/export/html/18382

Family & Youth Services Bureau. (2015, June 23). RHYA Programs . Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth/programs

Family and Youth Services Bureau . (2017, August 16). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/tlp-fact-sheet Hunger

Homelessness Awareness Week . (2017, August 16). Retrieved from https://hhweek.org/ Quoting Eve Parker <parkerev@msu.edu>:

National Network for Youth. (2013). Runaway Homeless Youth Act: Reauthorization. Retrieved from:     http://www.nn4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/NN4Y-RHYA-Fact-Sheet-2013.pdf

True Colors Fund. (2016). Our Issue in True Colors Fund. Retrieved August 17, 2017.

US Department of Health and Human Services. (2012, April 18). Runaway and Homeless Youth Program  Authorizing Legislation. Family and youth services Bureau. Retrieved                                        from:https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/rhy-act

US Department of Health and Human Services. (2012, April 18). Runaway and Homeless Youth. Family                   and youth services Bureau. Retrieved  from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/runaway-          homeless-youth

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The runaway and homeless youth act was passed in 2008. This was at the end of the bush administration which was a republican administration. It is a common belief of the conservative party that the status of a person’s well-being is depended on the abilities of that person. This is what makes it surprising that the bill passes while under a conservative party however the bill has aspects that reflect the views of the republican party. As discussed in the economy section, The Runaway and homeless youth act provided children with vocational training as well as therapy focused on self-worth (USDHHS, 2012). This would mean that the bill focused on giving people the tools they need to be successful just as much as it gives “handouts” (housing).

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The economy is a huge factor is the runaway and homeless youth act. Homeless youth are often faced with a lack of employment and job skills when they are on their own. In 2000 unemployment reached 4%, a 31-year low (Blau, 2014, pg. 98). A lack of employment creates a situation where homeless youth are unable to get on their feet and earn money to be able to afford housing. This is what lead the Runaway and Homeless Youth act to provide vocational training for homeless youth making them employable when they complete the program and giving them a leg up on the competition (USDHHS, 2012). In turn, this makes it easier to find a job when they reach the job market and get ahead.

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The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act addresses the problem of youth homelessness effectively and on many fronts. The policy provides immediate shelter to youth, family counseling, and after-care services. This is done through different types of programs, including Street Outreach Programs. Street Outreach Programs entail those employed under this act to go out into the public and interact with homeless youth and/or families to provide them with the basic needs or education that they may be lacking. Basic Center Programs are also provided from this policy, which is an emergency shelter program which provides youth with shelter, clothing, trauma informed counseling, and aftercare for the youth after their time in the program. The final type of program offered within this policy is the Transitional Living Programs. These are long term housing programs which work with the youth to teach them basic living skills so that they may be able to succeed after their time in the program. These TLP's also connect the youth with educational assistance, employment opportunities, and also mental and physical health care.
This policy also helps to prevent these youth being exploited in any way regarding trafficking, drug, and substance abuse.

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The process of forming a policy for homeless and runaway youth began in 1973 with the tireless efforts of a dozen youth workers.

Brian Slattery was one of the youth workers that began working towards this policy.  Brian was initially contacted by the chief of staff for the Criminal Justice Committee on Juvenile Justice because he was the manager of Huckleberry House at the time.

Homeless youth are at risk for developing serious health, behavioral and emotional problems, as well as becoming a burden on society instead of a new contributor.

Homeless youth came to speak to give their personal stories to the senators about the circumstances that led them to living on the streets.

Feminism view for need

Radicalism view for work

The participation of youth in these services will help youth become positive contributors to society.

(Family and Youth Services Bureau, 2012)
(Blau, 2014)
(NN4Y, 2013)

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Thousands of young people run away or are forced to leave their homes each year. Since 1975, the Federal Government has funded emergency shelter programs for runaway and homeless youth to provide for their immediate needs and promote family reunification. Unfortunately, many homeless young people can’t go home (Family and Youth Services Bureau , 2017).

In response to growing concern for youth in need of long-term, supportive assistance that emergency shelter programs were not designed to provide, Congress created the Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth as part of the 1988 Amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) funded the first transitional living programs in 1990 (Family and Youth Services Bureau , 2017).

State Policy Options:
* Early Intervention and Prevention Programs
* Intervene with Already-Homeless Youth
* Independent Housing Options

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National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events.

* Founded in 1975 at Villanova University
* Held at more than 700 locations
* Hundreds of thousands of participants
* Millions of dollars raised for local service providers

For more information visit:
https://hhweek.org/

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The problem that the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act hopes to address is that of youth homelessness, which as RHYA defines, individuals under the age of 18 for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment with a relative and lack safe alternative living arrangements. Although it is somewhat hard to track the actual number of homeless youth, it is estimated that youth in America make up about 12% of the homeless population (Esparza, 2009). This vulnerable population of youth, while being homeless, can be exposed to human trafficking, addiction and substance abuse, and much of the time, lack from education which can continue their cycle of homelessness. These youth often suffer from mental illness as well which goes undocumented or untreated as they do not have the means for this to be assessed.
It is also worth mentioning that LGBTQ youth make up about 7% of the entire youth population in the USA. However, these youth make up 40% of the homeless youth population. This particular part of the problem of youth homelessness is another component of what the RHYA hopes to address and fix to the best of its ability (True Colors Fund. 2016).