Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY)

RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT (RHYA/FEDERAL)

Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act

THE NEW JERSEY HOMELESS YOUTH ACT (HYA/NEW JERSEY)

The New Jersey Homeless Youth Act focuses on the needs of homeless youth and provides funds for expanding services to this vulnerable population. Youth advocates from throughout New Jersey came together to help craft a law that would give kids in crisis the "right" to seek safety from the streets. The "New Jersey Homeless Youth Act" (NJHYA) emerged and was adopted by the New Jersey legislature then signed into law by Governor Whitman. New Jersey has now become the 21st state to adopt such a law. Mirrored after the federal "Runaway and Homeless Youth Act", the "New Jersey Homeless Youth Act" (NJHYA) provides youth the ability to access shelters (basic centers) without a court order. The law provides $1 million annually and allows for shelters (basic centers), transitional living programs and street outreach programs to be funded.

The New York Times: Young and Homeless Lured by Atlantic City's Riches, They End Up in the Underbelly, February 7, 1999

NJ Homeless Youth Act - FINAL

RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH PUBLISHED REPORTS

Bridges to Independence
The Garden State Coalition for Youth and Family Concerns, 2001

Many Faces, No Voice
The Garden State Coalition for Youth and Family Concerns, 1995

The 1998 National Symposium on Homelessness Research-Homeless Youth: Research, Intervention and Policy

TUITION WAIVER PROGRAM

The tuition waiver law provides assistance to foster care youth who wish to attend state college or vocational school. Participants must be between 16 and 23 years old and must have been under the supervision of DYFS for at least nine months before their 16th birthday.

Click here for more information about the New Jersey Foster Care Scholars (NJFC) program.

SAVE ON BULK PURCHASING

Nonprofit agencies who contract with the NJ Department of Human Services and NJ Dept of Children and Families can find a variety of insurance products, goods and services for which reflect bulk purchasing prices at the Social Services Purchasing Alliance.

HORNBY ZELLER STUDY

Hornby Zeller Associates (HZA), consultants were hired by DYFS in 2001 to study shelter rates statewide. The study recommended methods to maximize federal reimbursement The final report suggests a two-year implementation phase-in period. Rates to Shelters would be raised more than double the base rate and fully financed by the increase in federal funding. Shelter Care Rate Setting Final Report