Order Code RL34483
Runaway and Homeless Youth: Reauthorization
Legislation and Issues in the 110th Congress
Updated October 14, 2008
Adrienne L. Fernandes
Analyst in Social Policy
Domestic Social Policy Division

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Reauthorization
Legislation and Issues in the 110th Congress
Summary
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) was signed into law in 1974
as Title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (P.L. 93-415).
RHYA authorizes funding for programs to support runaway and homeless youth, as
well as related training, research, and other activities. These programs and activities
are administered by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in the
Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and
Families.
In the second session of the 110th Congress, Congress passed and the President
signed into law the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-
378) to extend existing programs and establish new activities under RHYA for
FY2009 through FY2013. The law represents a compromise between provisions that
were included in two bills introduced in the 110th Congress: H.R. 5524 and S. 2982.
On March 4, 2008, Representative John Yarmuth introduced H.R. 5524, the
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008, which passed the House on June 9,
2008. On May 6, 2008, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced S. 2982, the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Protection Act, which passed the Senate on September 25, 2008.
The House approved S. 2982 on September 26, and the President signed it into law
as P.L. 110-378 on October 8, 2008.
This report discusses P.L. 110-378 and includes a table with a side-by-side
comparison of its provisions to those in H.R. 5524, as well as to the law and
regulations as they existed prior to the enactment of S. 2982. P.L. 110-378 amends
and adds provisions related to program funding, requirements, and accountability.
P.L. 110-378 extends the authorization of appropriations for the three programs
under RHYA that provide direct services to youth: the Basic Center Program (BCP),
Transitional Living Program (TLP), and Street Outreach Program (SOP). Unlike
prior law, P.L. 110-378 enables HHS to reallot any unused BCP funds from one state
to other states and permits youth to remain in BCP and TLP shelters for a longer
period. Another change made by the law requires HHS to regularly submit a report
to Congress that describes the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless
youth. The law also directs the Government Accountability Office to report to
Congress on the process by which HHS awards BCP, TLP, and SOP grants.
The provisions of P.L. 110-378 reflect issues raised by policymakers and
advocates about RHYA during the reauthorization process. One issue was the
amount of funding allocated to grantees under the three direct-service programs.
Grantees expressed the concern that although Congress has periodically increased
funding authorization for these programs, funding for individual grantees has
remained relatively stable over time. A second issue was the lack of outcome data
for youth who run away or experience homelessness. Finally, the bill addresses issues
related to the educational and workforce needs of runaway and homeless youth.
This report will not be updated.

Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Authorization of Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Allocation for the Basic Center Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Length of Stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Definition of “Homeless Youth” and “Runaway Youth” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BCP and TLP Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Priority Applicants for the SOP and Research Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Accountability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Performance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Existing Performance Review Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Oversight of Grant Review Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Existing Grant Review Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Prevalence and Incidence Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Youth Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Evaluation of TLP Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Education and Employment Outcomes for Runaway and
Homeless Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
List of Tables
Table A-1: Comparison of Changes Enacted by S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
with the Previous Law, Current Regulation (Where Applicable),
and H.R. 5524 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Runaway and Homeless Youth:
Reauthorization Legislation and Issues
in the 110th Congress
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) was enacted in 1974 as Title
III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (P.L. 93-415). RHYA
authorizes funding for grant programs that provide direct services to youth — the
Basic Center Program (BCP), Transitional Living Program (TLP), and Street
Outreach Program (SOP) — and related training, research, and other activities.
These programs and activities are administered by the Family and Youth Services
Bureau in the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for
Children and Families. The Basic Center Program provides temporary shelter,
counseling, and after care services to runaway and homeless youth under age 18 and
their families, while the Transitional Living Program is targeted to older youth ages
16 to 21. Youth who use the TLP receive longer-term housing with supportive
services. The Street Outreach Program provides education, treatment, counseling,
and referrals for runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to or
are at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation.1
RHYA has been reauthorized approximately every five years since the 1970s.
Most recently, in the second session of the 110th Congress, the President signed into
law the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act (P.L. 110-378) to extend
existing programs and authorize new activities under RHYA for FY2009 through
FY2013. P.L. 110-378 represents a compromise between provisions that were
included in two bills — H.R. 5524 and S. 2982 — to reauthorize RHYA.2 On March
4, 2008, Representative John Yarmuth introduced H.R. 5524, the Reconnecting
Homeless Youth Act of 2008. The bill was referred to the House Education and
Labor Committee, but was not taken up by the committee. On June 9, 2008, the
House approved the bill by voice vote under suspension of the rules. The version of
the bill that was passed contained most of the same provisions as the original version.
On May 6, 2008, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced S. 2982, the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Protection Act. On May 22, 2008, the Senate Judiciary Committee
passed S. 2982, which included an amendment that substituted the introduced version
with a similar version of the bill. On September 25, 2008, S. 2982 was approved by
1 For detailed program information, see CRS Report RL33785, Runaway and Homeless
Youth: Demographics, Programs, and Emerging Issues
, by Adrienne L. Fernandes.
2 A third bill, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Reauthorization of 2008 was
introduced on August 3, 2007, by Representative Raul Grijalva as Title II, Subtitle A of A
Place to Call Home Act (H.R. 3409), an omnibus youth policy and child welfare bill.
However, the bill was not voted on by the House Education and Labor Committee or the full
House.

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the Senate. The Senate-passed version is different from the version that passed the
Judiciary Committee and includes many of the same provisions as those in H.R.
5524. The House approved S. 2982 on September 26, 2008, and the President signed
it into law as P.L. 110-378 on October 8, 2008.
This report first provides a broad overview of P.L. 110-378, followed by a more
detailed summary of the law’s provisions. The second section discusses the issues
that were raised during hearings in the 110th Congress about runaway and homeless
youth, and the provisions in P.L. 110-378 that, in part, address these issues. Table
A-1
at the end of the report provides a side-by-side comparison of P.L. 110-378 with
prior law, current regulation, and H.R. 5524. As shown in the table, notable
differences include funding authorization levels, the authorization for a national
homeless youth awareness campaign (as proposed by H.R. 5524), length of stay at
RHYA-funded programs, and the definitions of runaway youth and homeless youth.
Overview
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-378)
reauthorizes programs for runaway and homeless youth, expands congressional
oversight of these programs, and establishes new activities. The major provisions of
the law relate to funding for the Basic Center Program, Transitional Living Program,
and Street Outreach Program; requirements for grantees that receive BCP and TLP
grants; and accountability of programs and activities authorized under RHYA.
! Funding. P.L. 110-378 authorizes FY2009 appropriation levels for
the BCP, TLP, and related activities that exceed the levels
authorized for FY2004 by $35 million (these are the only recent
years for which Congress has specified authorized appropriation
levels). The law also increases the authorized annual minimum
levels of BCP funding available for states and territories. It further
requires HHS to reallocate unused BCP funds from one state to
another. The amount allocated to states for FY2009 and FY2010
may not be lower than the amount appropriated to the states in
FY2008.
! Requirements. P.L. 110-378 allows youth to remain in a program
funded under the BCP and TLP longer they were able to under the
prior law, although the law imposes additional criteria for youth who
stay longer at TLP-funded programs. The law also changes the
definition of “homeless youth” to permit youth older than age 18 and
22 to stay at BCP- and TLP-funded programs, respectively, but only
under certain circumstances. Another change made by the law
specifies that in funding grants for research and other projects
related to runaway and homeless youth, HHS is to give priority to
applicants that serve diverse youth and represent diverse geographic
regions of the U.S. (The term “diverse” is not defined.) Other
requirements pertain to BCP and TLP plans submitted by grant
applicants.

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! Accountability. P.L. 110-378 requires HHS to promulgate
regulations that specify performance standards for public and non-
profit entities that receive BCP, TLP, and SOP grants. The law
further requires HHS to periodically submit to Congress an
incidence and prevalence study of runaway and homeless youth ages
13 to 26, as well as the characteristics of a representative sample of
these youth. HHS must consult with the U.S. Interagency Council
on Homelessness in developing the study. The law also directs the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the process by
which organizations apply for BCP, TLP, and SOP, including HHS’s
response to these applicants. GAO is to submit a report on its
findings to Congress.
The discussion below provides more details of these provisions.
Funding
Authorization of Appropriations
The prior law (P.L. 108-96) to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act authorized funding for all parts3 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act,
except the Street Outreach Program, at $105 million for FY2004 and such sums as
may be necessary for FY2005 through FY2008. The Street Outreach Program was
authorized to receive such sums as may be necessary for FY2004 through FY2008.
For all parts of RHYA, except the SOP and the new incidence and prevalence
study provisions, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008
authorizes $140 million for FY2009 and such sums as may be necessary for FY2010
through FY2013. The law authorizes $25 million for the SOP for FY2009 and such
sums as may be necessary for FY2010 through FY2013. Finally, the law authorizes
such sums as may be necessary for the study for FY2009 through FY2013.
Allocation for the Basic Center Program
Funding for the Basic Center Program and related training and other activities
is allocated among states (including the District of Columbia) and the territories, and
is distributed by HHS on a competitive basis to community-based organizations. As
the law existed prior to the enactment of P.L. 110-378, each state and territory
received a minimum annual allotment of $100,000 and $45,000, respectively, in BCP
funds. P.L. 110-378 increases the annual minimum funding available for each state
to $200,000 and for each territory to $70,000. The law also provides that funding for
each state in FY2009 and FY2010 is to be no less than the amount allotted to that
3 Part A pertains to the BCP; Part B pertains to the TLP; Part C pertains to the National
Communication System; Part D pertains to coordinating, training, research, and other
activities; Part E pertains to the SOP; and Part F pertains to general provisions, such as
assistance to potential grantees, lease of surplus federal facilities, reports, records,
definitions, and authorization of appropriations, among other provisions.

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state for FY2008 (the bill is silent on a minimum for territories in those years).
Further, unlike prior law, P.L. 110-378 enables the HHS Secretary to reallot any
funds that have not been obligated before the end of a fiscal year for a state to the
other states. The law does not specify the criteria for re-allotting the funds.
The new law does not change the funding structure for the Transitional Living
Program and Street Outreach Program. Funds for these programs are allocated
competitively by HHS to community-based organizations.
Requirements
P.L. 110-378 changes program requirements related to (1) the length of time that
youth are eligible to stay in Basic Center Program and Transitional Living Program
facilities; (2) the definition of homeless youth and runaway youth; (3) BCP and TLP
plans submitted by applicants; and (4) applicants that are to be prioritized under the
Street Outreach Program.
Length of Stay
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 authorizes longer
periods in which a youth may stay at a program funded by the BCP or TLP. Current
regulation specifies that youth may remain at a BCP shelter for up to 15 days.
However, P.L. 110-378 permits youth to stay at a shelter for up to 21 days. The new
law continues to allow youth to remain at TLP projects for up to 540 days (18
months) or longer for youth under age 18 and adds that a youth may remain in the
program for a continuous period of 635 days (approximately 21 months) under
“exceptional circumstances.” This term means circumstances in which a youth would
benefit to an unusual extent from additional time in the program. The new law
further authorizes that a youth in a TLP who has not reached age 18 on the last day
of the 635-day period may, in exceptional circumstances and if otherwise qualified
for the program, remain in the program until his or her 18th birthday.
Definition of “Homeless Youth” and “Runaway Youth”
Under the law as it existed prior to the enactment of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Protection Act of 2008, “homeless youth” for purposes of the BCP was
defined as an individual younger than age 18 for whom it is not possible to live in a
safe environment with a relative and for whom no other safe alternative living
arrangement exists. P.L. 110-378 amends the first clause to define “homeless youth”
as an individual younger than age 18, or an older maximum age if the BCP center is
located in a state or locality with a law or regulation that permits this higher age.
For purposes of the TLP, the prior law defined “homeless youth” as an
individual age 16 through 21 for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment
with a relative and for whom no other safe alternative living arrangement exists. P.L.
110-378 changes the first clause of the definition to include an individual ages 16
through 22, or an age exceeding 22 years old on the last day the youth is permitted
under law to be at the shelter, so long as the participant enters the TLP project prior

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to reaching age 22. (As mentioned above, P.L. 110-378 permits a stay of 540 days,
or up to 635 days if the youth would greatly benefit from being in the program.)
Finally, under current regulation, a “runaway youth” is defined as a person under
age 18 who absents himself or herself from home or place of legal residence without
the permission of his or her family. P.L. 110-378 enacts similar language that defines
“runaway youth” as an individual who leaves home or place of residence without the
permission of his or her parent or legal guardian.
BCP and TLP Plans
As required under the previous law, applicants for TLP funding were required
to submit a plan to the HHS Secretary specifying that they would provide, directly
or indirectly,
shelter and services, among other types of assistance. The Runaway
and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 amends the law to require that
applicants provide, by a grant, agreement, or contract, shelter, services, and other
assistance.4 Also under P.L. 110-378, applicants for TLP and BCP grants must
develop an adequate emergency preparedness and management plan.5
Priority Applicants for the SOP and Research Projects
Under the law as it existed prior to enactment of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Protection Act of 2008, HHS was to prioritize non-profit private agencies with
experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth, including youth
living on the street, when awarding grants under the Street Outreach Program. P.L.
110-378 requires that HHS also give priority to public agencies with experience in
serving runaway and homeless youth.
P.L. 110-378 also makes changes to the priority areas for awarding grants for
research, evaluation, demonstration, and service projects concerning runaway and
homeless youth. Under the prior law, HHS could prioritize projects that addressed
one of nine priority areas. P.L. 110-378 modifies the language regarding two of these
priority areas. For one of the priority areas, regarding access to quality health care,
the law changes the reference from projects addressing mental health care to projects
addressing behavioral health care. For the other priority area, regarding access to
education, the law adds that the projects should decrease high school dropout rates,
increase rates of attaining a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent,
or increase placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced
workforce training programs. The law also inserts as a tenth priority area projects that
assist youth in obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing. Finally, P.L. 110-
378 makes a change pertaining to applicants that apply for grants to implement
projects in one of the priority areas. Under the previous law, HHS was to give
4 It is not clear whether the language will change the way TLP applicants sub-contract
services for runaway and homeless youth, if at all. Prior grant applications for the BCP,
TLP, and SOP have asked applicants to submit information about any sub-grants or
contracts with other entities that provide services to runaway and homeless youth.
5 The law does not define how this plan should be carried out, or what is considered
“adequate.”

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priority consideration to applicants with experience working with runaway and
homeless youth. P.L. 110-378 adds that HHS is to ensure selected applicants
represent diverse geographic regions of the U.S. and carry out projects that serve
diverse youth. “Diverse” is not defined in the law.6
Accountability
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 includes provisions
that seek to improve accountability of programs and activities authorized by RHYA,
including requiring HHS to establish performance standards for BCP, TLP, and SOP
grantees; directing GAO to evaluate the process by which grants are awarded under
the three programs; and requiring HHS to periodically submit a report to Congress
that contains estimates of runaway and homeless youth and certain characteristics of
the population.
Performance Standards
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 requires that within
one year after its enactment (October 8, 2009), HHS is to issue rules that specify
performance standards for public and non-profit entities that receive BCP, TLP, and
SOP grants. In developing the regulations, HHS is to consult with stakeholders in
the runaway and homeless youth policy community. The law further requires that
HHS integrate the performance standards into the grantmaking, monitoring, and
evaluations processes for the BCP, TLP, and SOP.
Existing Performance Review Processes. As they existed prior to the
enactment of P.L. 110-378, the RHYA statute and accompanying regulations did not
explicitly set forth performance standards for the grantees. However, grantees were
(and are) collectively expected to meet certain performance measures established by
the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Program Assessment Rating Tool
(PART) process.7 The performance measures are as follows:
! achieve the proportion of youth served in the TLP entering safe and
appropriate settings directly after exiting care at 85% by FY2008 and
6 The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Family and Youth Services
Bureau, has defined diversity in runaway and homeless youth programs to include
characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic and educational status, sexual
orientation, physical capacity, age, personality type, religious and spiritual beliefs, regional
customs, and immigrant status. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, A Guide to
Enhancing Cultural Competence of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
, January 1994,
pp. 5-7.
7 U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Detailed Assessment on the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Assessment
, 2003 and U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Detailed
Assessment on the Runaway and Homeless Youth Assessment
, 2007, available at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary/10001064.2006.html]. (Hereafter
PART 2003 or PART 2007.)

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maintain this level through FY2010 (this is known as a long-term
outcome measure);
! improve funding efficiency by increasing the percentage of youth
who complete the TLP by graduating or who leave ahead of schedule
because of other opportunities (this is known as a long-term
efficiency measure);
! increase the percentage of TLP youth participants who are engaged
in community service and service learning activities while in the
program (this is known as a outcome measure); and
! increase the proportion of youth who are prevented from running
away through BCP in-home or off-site services (this is known as an
outcome measure).
Data for these outcome measures are collected from each grantee through the
NEO-RHYMIS (National Extranet Optimized Runaway and Homeless Youth
Management Information System) reporting system, which includes a range of data
elements on the characteristics and short-term outcomes of youth receiving services
through the BCP, TLP, and SOP.8 Further, during the grant application process,
described below, applicants must discuss the results or benefits expected from their
programs. For example, applicants are advised to identify quantitative outcomes for
their proposed projects that will fulfill the program purpose and scope of services, as
described in RHYA and the grant announcement.
Oversight of Grant Review Process
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 directs the
Government Accountability Office to examine the process by which organizations
apply for BCP, TLP, and SOP grants. Specifically, GAO is to submit to Congress
findings and recommendations relating to (1) HHS’s written responses to and other
communications with unsuccessful applicants to determine if the information in the
responses is conveyed clearly; (2) the content of the grant applications and other
associated documents to determine if these materials are presented in a way that gives
an applicant a clear understanding of the information that is to be provided and the
terminology used in the materials; (c) the peer review process (if any) for the grants;
(d) the typical time frame for responding to applicants and the efforts made by HHS
to communicate about delayed funding decisions; and (e) the plans for
implementation of technical assistance and training authorized under RHYA, and the
effect of such programs on the application process for the grantees.9
8 For additional information about NEO-RHYMIS, see [https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/rhymis/
custom_reports.html].
9 For information about recent changes to the training and technical assistance programs, see
CRS Report RL33785, Runaway and Homeless Youth: Demographics and Programs, by
Adrienne L. Fernandes.

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Existing Grant Review Process. Applicants for BCP, TLP, and SOP
grants are currently evaluated and rated by an independent review panel made up of
non-federal reviewers who are experts in the field of runaway and homeless youth
issues.10 The review panel uses evaluation criteria to assign a score up to 100 for
each applicant and to identify the application’s strengths and weaknesses. The
criteria are established in regulation11 and described in greater detail in the grant
announcements.
As set forth in the grant announcements, these criteria include the extent to
which the application
! identifies the services that will be provided, as required by and
consistent with RHYA, among other requirements;
! demonstrates the organizational capacity necessary to oversee
federal grants through an explanation of the organization’s fiscal
controls and governance structure, among other requirements;
! identifies quantitative outcomes for the proposed project that will
fulfill the program purpose and scope of services as described in
RHYA and the grant announcement, among other requirements;
! describes clear and appropriate program objectives that will fulfill
the program purpose, as well as a clear need for the proposed project
through a discussion of the conditions of youth and families in the
area to be served, among other requirements;
! includes an organizational chart that demonstrates the relationship
between all positions, including consultants, sub-grants and/or
contractors, to be funded through the grant, among other
requirements; and
! includes a detailed line-item budget for the federal and non-federal
share of project costs and demonstrates how cost estimates were
derived.
As further described in the grant announcements, the review panel’s assigned
scores assist the FYSB Associate Commissioner and program staff in considering
applications. Applications are generally ranked in order of the average scores
assigned by reviewers; however, the scores, in combination with other factors,
determine whether an application is funded. These other factors include, but are not
limited to, comments of reviewers and government officials, HHS staff evaluation
and input, geographic distribution, previous program performance of applicants,
compliance with grant terms under previous HHS grants, audit reports, investigative
reports, and an applicant’s progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on
10 For additional information about the grant review process, see archived grant funding
announcements for the program, [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_archive.html].
11 45 C.F.R. 1351.81.

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previous FYSB or other federal agency grants. According to HHS, because RHYA
grants are highly competitive, well-qualified applicants may not receive funding.12
Further, in some years, applicants with scores in the 90s have not been awarded
grants because such a large number of applicants receive scores of 100 or close to
100.
HHS does not have an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants. However,
in accordance with HHS’s Awarding Agency Grants Administration Manual
(AAGAM), unsuccessful applicants are notified by letter that they were not awarded
funding, with a full explanation of the reasons the application was not funded.13 The
letter contains a compilation of review comments outlining the strengths and
weaknesses of their application as identified by the panel of non-federal reviewers.
Compilations are also available for successful applications, however, they are only
sent at the request of these applicants. Scores are not automatically sent to any
applicants but are available upon request.
Prevalence and Incidence Studies
The precise number of homeless and runaway youth is unknown due to their
residential mobility and other factors, and RHYA, as authorized through FY2008,
was silent on whether HHS or any other entity was to approximate this number.
Runaway and homeless youth often eschew the shelter system for locations or areas
that are not easily accessible to shelter workers and others who count the homeless
and runaways.14 Determining the number of homeless and runaway youth is further
complicated by the lack of a standardized methodology for counting the population
and inconsistent definitions of what it means to be homeless or a runaway.15 In
response to a 2002 congressional request through the appropriations process,16 HHS
submitted a report to Congress in 2003 that discusses a plan for developing estimates
of the incidences of runaway, throwaway,17 homeless, and street experiences among
youth, as well as a plan for regularly monitoring incidence trends.18
12 Based on correspondence with the Department of Health and Human Services on
September 21, 2007.
13 Ibid, February 26, 2008.
14 Christopher L. Ringwalt et al., “The Prevalence of Homelessness Among Adolescents in
the United States,” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 88, no. 9 (September 1998), p.
1325.
15 Ibid.
16 The Senate Appropriations Committee made this request in S.Rept. 107-84 to accompany
the Senate version of the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill for 2002 (S. 1536).
Companion legislation (H.R. 3061) was signed into law as P.L. 107-116.
17 “Throwaway youth” (or “push outs”) generally refer to runaway and homeless youth who
have been abandoned by their parents or have been told to leave their households.
18 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Planning and Evaluation, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for
Children and Families, Incidence and Prevalence of Homeless and Runaway Youth, May
(continued...)

CRS-10
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 seeks to determine
the number of youth who have run away or are homeless by requiring HHS to
estimate at five year intervals, beginning within two years of the enactment of P.L.
110-378 (October 8, 2010), the incidence and prevalence of the runaway and
homeless youth population ages 13 to 26. The law also directs HHS to assess the
characteristics of these youth. HHS is required to conduct a survey of and direct
interviews with a representative sample of homeless youth ages 13 to 26 to determine
past and current socioeconomic characteristics; barriers to obtaining housing and
other services; and other information HHS determines useful, in consultation with
states and other entities concerned with youth homelessness. HHS is to consult with
the federal Interagency Council on Homelessness about the studies overall. The new
law does not specify the methodology for carrying out the studies, except to say that
HHS should make the estimate based on the best quantitative and qualitative social
science research methods available. Further, if HHS enters into an agreement with
a non-federal entity to carry out the assessment, the entity is to be a non-
governmental organization or individual determined by HHS to have expertise in this
type of research. As mentioned above, the law authorized such sums as may be
necessary for FY2009 through FY2013 to conduct the study.
The studies must be submitted to the House Education and Labor Committee
and Senate Judiciary Committee, and made available to the public.
Issues
During the 110th Congress, the House and Senate conducted hearings on the
challenges facing runaway and homeless youth and the federally funded services to
assist the population.19 The issues raised included inadequate levels of funding for
RHYA grantees, limited information about the outcomes of runaway and homeless
youth, and the need for greater education and workforce opportunities for these
youth. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 incorporates
provisions that, in part, address the three issues.
18 (...continued)
9, 2003; available at [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/fys/design_opt/reports/
incidence/incidence.pdf].
19 U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Education and Labor. Subcommittee on Healthy
Families and Communities. Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children: Perspectives on
Helping the Nation’s Vulnerable Youth
. Hearings. 110th Congress, 1st session, July 24,
2007. Transcript available at [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=
110_house_hearings&docid=f:36729.pdf]. U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and
Means. Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support. Disconnected and
Disadvantaged Youth.
Hearings. 110th Congress, 1st session, June 19, 2007. Written
testimony available at [http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hea
ring=569]. U.S. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Living on the Street: Finding
Solutions to Protect Runaway and Homeless Youth
. 110th Congress, 2nd session, April 29,
2008. Written testimony available at [http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=3312].

CRS-11
Funding
At a hearing conducted by the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 29, 2008,
service providers and advocates for runaway and homeless youth raised concerns that
funds appropriated under RHYA have not been adjusted for increases in the cost of
living. A provider in Vermont explained that his RHYA-funded programs have been
level-funded since 1994, while costs have risen significantly. These same concerns
were highlighted at a July 24, 2007, hearing on runaway, homeless, and missing
children, conducted by the House Education and Labor Committee Subcommittee on
Healthy Families and Communities. Further, the Government Accountability Office
described in its February 2008 report on disconnected youth that funding has
remained stagnant for federal youth programs, including those funded by RHYA.
The report states: “While overall Transitional Living Program funding increased in
FY2002 to support a greater number of programs, the amount available to individual
local programs — capped at $200,000 — has not changed since 1992. One [runaway
and homeless] program director explained that considering increases in the cost of
operation, this amount funds only part of one staff rather than three as in previous
years.”20
An analysis of per grantee award amounts from FY2004 through FY2007
indicates that BCP and TLP funding has remained stable or has declined slightly.21
For example, $44.4 million in BCP funds was awarded to 345 grantees for FY2004,
resulting in an average grant of $128,734. For FY2007, approximately $43.3 million
was awarded to 336 grantees, with an average grant amount of about $128,821.
Average TLP award amounts declined over the period from FY2004 through
FY2007. For FY2004, 194 grantees shared $36,744,000 in TLP funds, resulting in
an average grant of $189,402. The average grant award decreased to $181,558 for
FY2007, when 190 grantees shared $34,496,000 in TLP funds.
In response to concerns about funding, the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Protection Act of 2008 increases the authorization of appropriations in at least one
year (FY2009) for the BCP, TLP, and SOP, and increases the minimum BCP awards
for states and territories. However, for most programs — including those authorized
under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act — Congress has passed, and the
President has enacted, a continuing resolution for FY2009 (P.L. 110-329), which in
most cases, provides for the same level of funding as in FY2008. The resolution
extends until March 9, 2009, and does not reflect final funding levels for FY2009.
20 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Disconnected Youth: Federal Action Could
Address Some of the Challenges Faced by Local Programs That Reconnect Youth to
Education and Employment
, GAO-08-313, February 2008, p. 29.
21 Based on a Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysis of appropriation information
and the reported number of grantees, as provided in the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Justification of Estimates for
Appropriations Committees, FY2006 through FY2009
.

CRS-12
Youth Outcomes
At the hearings held by the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Education
and Labor Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, former runaway
and homeless youth discussed the challenges of living on the street, such as the
inability to find work and connect to school. One witness at the Senate Judiciary
hearing described the assistance he received at a TLP-funded program that now
employs him as a manager for the program. He explained that through intensive case
management, he was empowered to stop using drugs and to live independently. Yet
little is known about the outcomes of runaway and homeless youth generally. Local
grantee organizations have limited information about youth after they receive
services, and research on whether youth experience homelessness as adults is dated.
Some grantees may decide to follow up with youth who received services, but HHS
does not require longitudinal data collection. HHS’s 2007 report to Congress,
Promising Strategies to End Youth Homelessness, states that longer-term studies of
runaway and homeless youth are challenging because of the youth’s transient
nature.22 Further, knowledge about effective strategies for serving these youth is
limited23 and few, if any, studies appear to have been conducted to determine the
costs and benefits of these interventions.
To glean more information about the runaway and homeless youth population,
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 requires HHS to determine
the incidence and prevalence of runaway and homeless youth and to report on the
socio-demographic and other characteristics of the population. Although not a
specified goal of the act, this information may help practitioners and social science
researchers develop effective interventions for the population.
Evaluation of TLP Sites. Efforts are currently underway at HHS to learn
more about the youth who are served by the Transitional Living Program. In August
2007, HHS approved a sub-contract to Abt Associates to conduct an evaluation of the
TLP at select grantee sites.24 The study seeks to describe the outcomes of youth who
participate in the program and to isolate and describe factors that may have
contributed to their successes or challenges, including service delivery approaches,
personal characteristics, and local circumstances. HHS (through the Family and
Youth Services Bureau) and Abt researchers have conducted three site visits to TLP
22 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Promising Strategies to End Youth
Homelessness, Report to Congress
, 2007. Available at [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
fysb/content/docs/reporttocongress_youthhomelessness.pdf]. This report was required
under P.L. 108-96. See 42 U.S.C. 5701.
23 Interventions can include case management, working with the youth’s family, and social
skills training, among other areas. For a review of research on intervention and prevention
of homeless and runaway situations, see Paul A. Toro, Amy Dworsky, and Patrick J. Fowler,
Homeless Youth in the United States: Recent Research Findings and Intervention
Approaches
, 2007 National Symposium on Homelesness Research, March 2007. Available
at [http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/homelessness/symposium07/toro/index.htm].
24 Based on correspondence with the Department Health and Human Services on March 28,
2008.

CRS-13
grantees (in Dallas, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Wichita, Kansas) and a series of
consultations with HHS and outside experts to inform the design of the study.
FYSB has not yet selected the TLP survey sites for the study itself; however, the
sites will likely have extensive experience working with runaway and homeless youth
and have been awarded continuous TLP funding for at least three years after the
survey commences. These sites will work to ensure that after receiving training, staff
will be sufficiently capable of administering the survey instruments. The sites will
also need to be large enough to capture an adequate sample size.
Youth participants will complete surveys at entry and while receiving services
through a survey administered by their TLP programs. They will also complete
surveys for up to one year after leaving the program. Youth will self-report the data
to a website six months and twelve months after exiting. Evaluators will compare the
individual outcomes of each youth to his or her benchmark data. The youth surveys
are pending executive branch review, and FYSB expects to begin collecting the data
by the end of calendar year 2008. FYSB anticipates making preliminary information
available before the last surveys are completed. Further, FYSB expects to maintain
the self-reporting website indefinitely as a means of tracking TLP graduates after the
formal study is complete.
HHS issued a proposed information collection request for public comment about
the evaluation in the Federal Register on August 25, 2008.25
Education and Employment Outcomes for Runaway and
Homeless Youth

On June 19, 2007, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income
Security and Family Support held a hearing on disconnected and disadvantaged
youth, with a focus on runaway youth. Witnesses described “disconnected youth” as
those youth who have weak social networks of family, friends, and communities that
can provide assistance such as employment connections, health insurance coverage,
housing, tuition and other financial assistance, and emotional support. They also
discussed measurable characteristics to indicate whether youth are disconnected, such
as the lack of high school or college attendance coupled with not having a job over
a specific period of time (e.g., one year).26
Runaway and homeless youth are vulnerable to becoming disconnected because
of separation from their families, absence from school, and non-participation in the
economy.27 Family conflict — rooted in abuse and neglect, school problems, and
25 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and
Families, “Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request,” 73 Federal
Register 50022, August 25, 2008. Comments are due October 25, 2008.
26 For additional information about disconnected and other vulnerable youth, see CRS
Report RL33975, Vulnerable Youth: Background and Policies, by Adrienne L. Fernandes.
27 Bob Reeg, “The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and Disconnected Youth,” in Jodie
(continued...)

CRS-14
drug and alcohol abuse — can compel youth to leave home. Family
disconnectedness is also evident among many runaway and homeless youth involved
in the foster care system. These youth are brought to the attention of child welfare
services because of incidents of abuse and neglect. Further, youth “aging out” of the
foster care system experience homelessness at a greater rate than their counterparts
in the general population due, in part, to family disconnectedness. Some gay and
lesbian youth also experience family disassociation when they come out about their
sexuality.
Some runaway and homeless youth spend time out of school while they are
away from a permanent home. The FY2007 NEO-RHYMIS survey indicated that
about 20% of youth were not attending school regularly before entering the Basic
Center Program.28 Of youth in the Transitional Living Program, 21% had dropped
out of school. Some homeless youth face barriers to attending school because of
transportation problems and the absence of parents and guardians who can provide
records and permission for youth to participate in school activities. Finally, some
runaway and homeless youth are removed from the formal economy and resort to
illegal activity, including stealing and selling drugs in exchange for cash. Other such
youth are too young to work legally or experience mental health and other challenges
that make working difficult.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act of 2008 seeks to fund
research projects that focus on connecting youth to work and school. The act amends
RHYA to require HHS to give priority to research, evaluation, demonstration, and
service projects that increase access to education and career pathways for runaway
and homeless youth. These projects must be intended to help decrease high school
dropout rates, increase rates of attaining a secondary school diploma or its equivalent,
or increase placement and retention in postsecondary education or advanced
workforce training programs.
27 (...continued)
Levin-Epstein and Mark H. Greenburg, eds., Leave No Youth Behind: Opportunities for
Congress to Reach Disconnected Youth
(July 2003), pp. 56-63.
28 These figures were derived from the report, “Grade Completed at Exit.” See
[https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/rhymis/].

CRS-15
Appendix
Table A-1: Comparison of Changes Enacted by S. 2982/P.L. 110-378 with the Previous Law,
Current Regulation (Where Applicable), and H.R. 5524

Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 1. Short Title
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of
(Sec. 1)
Act.
2008 (to amend the Runaway and
Same as H.R. 5524.
Homeless Youth Act).
Sec. 2. Findings
Finding About Positive
No provision.
Adds as a purpose that services for
(Sec. 2)
Youth Development
runaway and homeless youth should
Same as H.R. 5524.
be developed and provided using a
Amends Sec. 302
positive youth development approach
(42 U.S.C. 5701)
that ensures a young person a sense of
(a) safety and structure; (b) belonging
and membership; (c) self-worth and
social contribution; (d) independence
and control over one’s life; and (e)
closeness in interpersonal
relationships.
Sec. 3. Grants for Centers and Services
Youth’s Length of Stay
No provision related to length
1351.1(a)
Safe and appropriate shelter not to
(Sec. 3)
of stay. However, the law
“Temporary shelter” under the Basic
exceed 15 days, or not to exceed 21
Safe and appropriate shelter
Amends Sec. 311(a)
specifies that services provided
Center Program is defined as “the
days, if the center is “located in a state
not to exceed 21 days.
(42 U.S.C. 5711)
by BCP projects include “safe
provision of short term (maximum of
or locality with an applicable law or
and appropriate shelter.”
15 days) room and board and core
regulation that permits a length of stay
crisis intervention services, on a
in excess of 15 days in compliance
24-hour basis, by a runaway and
with licensure requirements for child
homeless youth project.”
and youth serving facilities.”

CRS-16
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Grants for States and
An annual minimum of
To the extent that sufficient funds are
(Sec. 3)
Territories
$100,000 for each state and an
available, and subject to the provision
subject to the provision about
annual minimum of $45,000
about funding for FY2009 and
funding for FY2009 and
Amends Sec. 311(b)
for each territory.
FY2010 (below), an annual minimum
FY2010 (below), an annual
(42 U.S.C. 5711)
of $150,000 for each state and an
minimum of $200,000 for each
annual minimum of $70,000 for each
state and an annual minimum
territory.
of $70,000 for each territory.
Minimum Funding for
No provision.
Funding for each state in FY2009 and
(Sec. 3)
FY2009 and FY2010
FY2010 is to be no less than the
Same as H.R. 5524.
amount allotted to that state for
Amends Sec. 311(b)
FY2008.
(42 U.S.C. 5711)
Reallocation of Unused
No provision.
The Secretary shall reallot any funds
(Sec. 3)
Funds
from one state to other states that will
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
not be obligated before the end of a
minor, non-substantive
Amends Sec. 311(b)
fiscal year.
differences in the text.
(42 U.S.C. 5711)
Sec. 4. Basic Center Grant Program Eligibility
Adequate Emergency
No provision.
Projects must develop an adequate
(Sec. 3)
Preparedness and
emergency preparedness and
Same as H.R. 5524.
Management Plan
management plan.
Amends Sec. 312(b)
(42 U.S.C. 5712(b))
Sec. 5. Transitional Living Grant Program Eligibility
Provision of Shelter,
To qualify for funding,
Applicants must specify in their plans
(Sec. 4)
Services, and Other
applicants must agree in their
that they will provide, directly or by
Applicants must specify in
Assistance
plan submitted to the Secretary
contract, shelter and services related
their plans that they will
that they will provide, directly
to basic life skills and other services.
provide, by grant, agreement,
Amends Sec. 322(a)
or indirectly, shelter and
or contract, shelter and
(42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a))
services related to basic life
services related to basic life
skills and other services.
skills and other services.

CRS-17
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Youth’s Length of Stay in
Not to exceed a continuous
Adds that youth may remain in the
(Sec. 4)
Program
period of 540 days, except that
program for a continuous period of up
Not to exceed a continuous
youth under age 18 may remain
to 635 days if they are in a project
period of 540 days, or 635
Amends Sec. 322(a)
in the program until their 18th
“located in a state that has an
days in exceptional
(42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a))
birthday or the 180th day after
applicable state or local law or
circumstances, except that a
the end of the 540-day period,
regulation that permits a length of stay
youth under age 18 may
whichever comes first.
in excess of the 540-day period in
remain in the program beyond
compliance with licensure
the 635 days (if otherwise
requirements for child and youth
qualified for the program and
serving facilities.”
under exceptional
circumstances) until his or her
18th birthday.
Definition of “Exceptional
No provision
No provision.
(Sec. 4)
Circumstances”
Circumstances in which a
youth would benefit to an
Amends Sec. 322(c)
unusual extent from additional
(42 U.S.C. 5714-2(c))
time in the program.
Emergency Preparedness
No provision.
Transitional Living Program projects
(Sec. 4)
and Management Plan
must develop an adequate emergency
Same as H.R. 5524.
preparedness and management plan.
Amends Sec. 322(a)
(42 U.S.C. 5714-2(a))

CRS-18
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 6. Research, Evaluation, Demonstration, and Service Projects
Selection of Grantees
The Secretary is to give special
The Secretary is to give priority to
(Sec. 5)
consideration to proposed
projects focused on the nine priority
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
Amends Sec. 343(b)
projects relating to research,
areas in current law (with some
minor, non-substantive
(42 U.S.C. 5714-23)
evaluations, and
modifications to the descriptions of
differences in the text.
demonstrations in nine priority
the projects listed under paragraphs
areas, including (1) youth who
(8) and (9) in current law) as well an
repeatedly leave and remain
additional project under a new
away from their homes; (2)
paragraph (10): (8) increasing access
transportation related to
to quality health care (including
services provided under
behavioral health care) for youth; (9)
RHYA; (3) runaway and
increasing access to education for
homeless youth in rural areas;
runaway and homeless youth,
(4) programs that place
including access to educational and
runaway and homeless youth
workforce programs to achieve
with host families; (5) staff
outcomes such as decreasing high
training in sexual assault and
school dropout rates, increasing rates
victimization; (6) innovative
of attaining a secondary school
methods of developing
diploma or its recognized equivalent,
resources that enhance runaway
or increasing placement and retention
and homeless youth centers; (7)
in postsecondary education or
training for staff and youth
advanced workforce training
about the Human
programs; and (10) providing
Immunodeficiency Virus
programs, including innovative
(HIV); (8) increasing access to
programs, that assist youth in
health care (including mental
obtaining and maintaining safe and
health care) for youth; and (9)
stable housing, and which may include
increasing access to education
programs with supportive services that
for runaway and homeless
continue after the youth complete the
youth.
remainder of the programs.

CRS-19
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Priority Selection of
The Secretary is to give priority
Adds that the Secretary is to give
(Sec. 5)
Grantees
consideration to applicants with
priority consideration to applicants
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
experience working with
with experience working with
minor, non-substantive
Amends Sec. 343(c)
runaway and homeless youth.
runaway and homeless youth and
differences in the text.
(42 U.S.C. 5714-23)
ensure that applicants selected
represent diverse geographic regions
of the U.S. and carry out projects that
serve diverse youth.
Sec. 7. Estimate of Incidence and Prevalence of Youth Homelessness
Adds a new Section 345 under Part D (42 U.S.C. 5714-21 — 5714-24)
Periodic Estimate of
The Senate Appropriations
Not later than two years after this
(Sec. 6)
Incidence and Prevalence
Committee requested, through
provision becomes effective, and at
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
of Youth Homelessness
S.Rept. 107-84 (to accompany
subsequent five-year intervals, the
minor, non-substantive
S. 1536), that HHS submit a
Secretary, in coordination with the
differences in the text.
Adds new subsection
report to Congress that
U.S. Interagency Council on
Sec. 345(a)
discusses a plan for developing
Homelessness, shall prepare a written
estimates of the incidences of
report for the House Education and
runaway, throwaway,
Labor Committee and Senate Judiciary
homeless, and street
Committee that contains an estimate,
experiences among youth, as
obtained using the best quantitative
well as a plan for regularly
and qualitative social science research
monitoring incidence trends.
methods available, of the incidence
This report was submitted in
and prevalence of runaway and
2003.
homeless youth ages 13 to 26, and
includes an assessment of the
characteristics of these youth.

CRS-20
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Content of Incidence and
No provision.
Each assessment must contain the
(Sec. 6)
Prevalence Assessment
results of a survey of and direct
Same as H.R. 5524.
interviews with, a representative
Adds new subsection
sample of runaway and homeless
Sec. 345(b)
youth ages 13 to 26 to determine past
and current (a) socioeconomic
characteristics; (b) barriers to
obtaining safe, quality, and affordable
housing; comprehensive and
affordable health insurance and health
services; and incomes, public benefits,
supportive services, and connections
to caring adults; and (c) other
information that the Secretary
determines may be useful, in
consultation with states, local units of
government, and national non-
governmental organizations concerned
with homelessness.
Implementation of
No provision.
If the Secretary enters into any
(Sec. 6)
Assessment
agreement with a non-federal entity to
Same as H.R. 5524.
carry out the assessment, such entity
Adds new subsection
shall be a non-governmental
(Sec. 345(c))
organization, or an individual,
determined by the Secretary to have
appropriate expertise in quantitative
and qualitative social science research.

CRS-21
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 8. Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (Note: also known as the Street Outreach Program)
Priorities in Selecting
In selecting applicants to
Same as current law, except that the
(Sec. 7)
Applicants
receive grants, the Secretary
Secretary is to also give priority to
Same as H.R. 5524.
shall give priority to non-profit
public agencies that have experience
Amends Sec. 351(b)
private agencies that have
in providing services to runaway,
(42 U.S.C. 5714-41(b))
experience in providing
homeless, and street youth.
services to runaway, homeless,
and street youth.
Sec. 9. National Homeless Youth Awareness Campaign
H.R. 5524 would have redesignated current Part F as Part G and added a new Sec. 361 under a new Part F
Purpose
No provision.
The Secretary shall, directly or
No provision.
through grants or contracts, conduct a
H.R. 5524 would have
national homeless youth awareness
added a new subsection
campaign for the purposes of (a)
361(a)
increasing awareness among
individuals of all ages, socioeconomic
backgrounds, and geographic
locations about the issues facing
runaway and homeless youth, the
resources available for these youth,
and the tools available for the
prevention of youth runaway and
homeless situations; and (b)
encouraging parents, guardians,
educators, health care professionals,
social service professionals, law
enforcement officials, and other
community members to assist youth in
averting or resolving runaway and
homeless situations.

CRS-22
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Use of Funds
No provision.
Funds made available for the
No provision.
campaign may be used only for the
H.R. 5524 would have
following: (a) dissemination of
added a new subsection
educational information and materials
361(b)
through various media, including
television, radio, the Internet, and
related technologies; (b) partnerships
with national and other organizations
concerned with homelessness; (c) in
accordance with applicable laws and
regulations, development and
placement in media of public service
announcements that educate the public
on the issues facing runaway and
homeless youth and the opportunities
adults have to assist these youth; and
(d) evaluation of the effectiveness of
the campaign.
Prohibitions on Use of
No provision.
Prohibits the use of funds for the
No provision.
Funds
national awareness campaign: (a) to
supplant pro bono service time
H.R. 5524 would have
donated by national or local
added a new subsection
broadcasting networks, advertising
361(c)
agencies, or production companies for
the campaign, or other pro bono work
for the campaign; (b) for partisan
political purposes, or to express
advocacy in support of or opposition
to any clearly identified candidate,
ballot initiative or regulatory proposal;
(c) to fund advertising that features
any elected official, person seeking
office, cabinet level official, or other
federal employee employed pursuant
to Section 213 of Section C of Title 5

CRS-23
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
of the Code of Federal Regulations, as
amended; (d) to fund advertising that
does not contain a primary message
intended to educate the public on the
issues facing runaway and homeless
youth (or youth considering running
away) or the opportunities for adults to
help such youth; and (e) to fund
advertising that solicits contributions
from both public and private sources
to support the national awareness
campaign.
Financial and Performance
No provision.
The Secretary is to conduct (a) audits
No provision.
Accountability
and reviews of costs of the national
awareness campaign pursuant to
H.R. 5524 would have
Section 304C of the Federal Property
added a new subsection
and Administrative Services Act of
361(d)
1949 (41 U.S.C. 254d); and (b) an
audit to determine whether the costs of
the national awareness campaign are
allowable under Section 306 of that
act (41 U.S.C. 256).
Report to Congress
No provision relating to a
The Secretary is to include in the
No provision.
report on a national awareness
report to Congress (as currently
Would have added a new
campaign. However, current
required under law) — a summary of
Section 361(e)
law (Sec. 382(a)) requires the
the national awareness campaign that
Secretary to submit a report to
describes (a) the activities undertaken
Congress biennially on the
by the campaign; (b) steps to ensure
status, activities, and
that the campaign operates in an
accomplishments of entities
effective and efficient manner
that receive grants under
consistent with the overall strategy and
RHYA.a
focus of the campaign; and (c) each
grant entered into with a corporation,
partnership, or individual working on
the campaign.

CRS-24
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 10. Definitions
Definition of “Homeless
“Homeless youth” is defined as
Amends the first clause of the current
(Sec. 10)
Youth” (for the Basic
an individual who is not more
definition to include an individual who
Same as H.R. 5524.
Center Program only)
than 18 years old; for whom it
is less than 18 years old, or an older
is not possible to live in a safe
maximum age if the BCP center is
Amends Sec. 387(3)
environment with a relative;
located in a state or locality with a law
(42 U.S.C. 5732a)
and who has no other safe
or regulation that permits a higher
alternative living arrangement.
maximum age, in compliance with
licensure requirements for child and
youth serving facilities.
Definition of “Homeless
“Homeless youth” is defined as
Amends the first clause of the current
(Sec. 10)
Youth” (for the
an individual between the ages
definition to include an individual
Same as H.R. 5524.
Transitional Living
of 16 and 21; for whom it is not
between the ages of 16 and 22 or an
Program only)
possible to live in a safe
age exceeding 22 years old upon
environment with a relative;
exiting the TLP project (as permitted
Amends Sec. 387(3)
and who has no other safe
under Sec. 322(a))b so long as the
(42 U.S.C. 5732a)
alternative living arrangement.
participant entered the TLP project
prior to reaching age 22.
Definition of “Runaway
“Runaway youth” is defined as a
No provision.
(Sec. 10)
Youth” (for the
person under age 18 who absents
Same as regulation, except that
Transitional Living
himself or herself from home or
the individual absents himself
Program only)
place of legal residence without the
or herself from home or place
permission of his or her family.
of legal residence without the
Amends Sec. 387(3)
permission of a parent or legal
(42 U.S.C. 5732a)
guardian.

CRS-25
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 11. Authorization of Appropriations
RHYA (other than select
$105 million for FY2004 and
$150 million for FY2009 and “such
(Sec. 11)
parts)
“such sums as may be
sums as may be necessary” for each of
$140 million for FY2009 and
necessary” for FY2005 through
FY2010 through FY2013, except for
“such sums as may be
Amends Sec. 388(a)
FY2008, except for Part E
Part E (Street Outreach Program) and
necessary” for each of FY2010
(42 U.S.C. 5751(a))
(Street Outreach Program).
proposed Part F (National Homeless
through FY2013, except for
Youth Awareness Campaign).
Part E (Street Outreach
Program and Sec. 345 under
Part D (Periodic Estimate
Assessment).
Part E (Street Outreach
“Such sums as may be
$30 million for FY2009 and “such
(Sec. 11)
Program)
necessary” for FY2004 through
sums as may be necessary” for each of
$25 million for FY2009 and
FY2008.
FY2010 through FY2013.
“such sums as may be
Amends Section 388(a)
necessary” for each of FY2010
(42 U.S.C. 5751(a))
through FY2013.
Part F (National Homeless
No provision.
$3 million for each of FY2009
No provision.
Youth Awareness
through FY2013.
Campaign)
H.R. 5524 would have
redesignated Part F from
General Provisions to the
National Homeless Youth
Awareness Campaign

Part C (National
In each fiscal year, after
No provision.
(Sec. 11)
Communications System)
reserving the amounts required
Conforming amendment to
and Part D (Coordinating,
for Parts A and B (BCP and
exclude Sec. 345 from
Training, Research, and
TLP, respectively), the
receiving funding that is
Other Activities)
Secretary shall use the
allocated for Part C or Part D.
remaining amount (if any) to
Sec. 388(a)
carry out Parts C and D.
(42 U.S.C. 5751 (a))

CRS-26
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Sec. 345 (Periodic
No provision.
“Such sums as may be necessary” for
(Sec. 11)
Estimate Assessment)
each of FY2009 through FY2013.
Same as H.R. 5524, with minor
differences in the text.
Sec. 388(a)
(42 U.S.C. 5751(a))
Sec. 12. Performance Standards
H.R. 5524 would have added a new Sec. 390; S. 2982/P.L. 110-378 adds a new Sec. 386A under Part F (General Provisions)
Establishment of
No provision.
Not later than one year after this
(Sec. 8)
Performance Standards
section becomes effective, the
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
Secretary is to issue rules that specify
minor, non-substantive
Adds a new subsection
performance standards for public and
differences in the text.
386A(a)
non-profit entities that receive BCP,
TLP, and SOP grants.
Implementation of
No provision.
The Secretary shall integrate the
(Sec. 8)
Performance Standards
performance standards into the
Same as H.R. 5524,with a few
grantmaking, monitoring, and
minor, non-substantive
Adds a new subsection
evaluations processes for the BCP,
differences in the text.
386A(c)
TLP, and SOP.
Consultation
No provision.
In developing performance standards,
(Sec. 8)
the Secretary shall consult with
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
Adds a new subsection
representatives of public and nonprofit
minor, non-substantive
386A(b)
private entities that receive grants
differences in the text.
under RHYA, including statewide and
regional nonprofit organizations
(including combinations of such
organizations), and national nonprofit
organizations concerned with youth
homelessness.

CRS-27
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
Public Comment
No provision.
Before issuing rules to establish
No provision.
performance standards, the Secretary
H.R. 5524 would have
is to provide an opportunity for public
added a new subsection
comment concerning the standards and
390(d)
maintain an official record of such
comment.
Sec. 13. GAO Study and Report
H.R. 5524 and S. 2982 do not specify the section of RHYA in which this language would be inserted
Study
No provision.
The Government Accountability
(Sec. 11)
Office (GAO) is to conduct a study,
Same as H.R. 5524, with a few
and make findings and
minor, non-substantive
recommendations, relating to the
differences in the text.
process for awarding grants under
Parts A, B, and E of RHYA, including
(a) the Secretary’s written responses to
(and any other methods for
communicating with) applicants that
do not receive a grant under Part A, B,
or E, to determine if the information in
the response is conveyed clearly; (b)
the structure of the grant application
and associated documents (including
announcements that grants are
available under such parts), to
determine if these materials are
structured so that the applicant has a
clear understanding of what is
required in each provision to
successfully complete the application,
including a clear explanation of
terminology required to be used by the
applicant; (c) the peer review process
(if any) used to review the grants
(including the selection of peer

CRS-28
Bill Provision and
Amendments Made by
Previous Law
S. 2982/P.L. 110-378
S. 2982/ P.L. 110-378 to
(as it existed prior to the
Current Regulation
H.R. 5524
(as signed by the President
RHYA (and U.S. Code)
enactment of S. 2982/
(where applicable)
(as passed by the House June 9, 2008)
on October 8, 2008)
(The section numbers
P.L. 110-378)
refer to H.R. 5524)
reviewers) and the oversight of the
peer review process by HHS
employees, as well as to the extent to
which these employees make funding
determinations based on the comments
and scores of the peer reviewers; (d)
the typical time frame and process
used by HHS employees, including
employee responsibilities, for
responding to applicants and the
efforts made by HHS staff to
communicate with applicants when
funding decisions are delayed or not
appropriated before the beginning of
the current fiscal year; and (e) the
plans for, and implementation of,
where applicable, RHYA-authorized
technical assistance and training
programs (authorized under Sec.
342),c and the effect of such programs
on the grant application process.
Report
No provision.
GAO is to prepare and submit a report
(Sec. 11)
to Congress on its findings and
Same as H.R. 5524.
recommendations no later than a year
after the bill is enacted.
Source: Table prepared by the Congressional Research Service.
a. Section 382(a) pertains to the biennial report to Congress on the status, activities, and accomplishments of entities that receive grants under Parts A, B, C, D, and E of RHYA.
b. Section 322(a) pertains to eligibility for grants under the Transitional Living Program. As amended by S. 2982/P.L. 110-378, youth may remain in the program for a continuous
period of 635 days (approximately 21 months) under “exceptional circumstances,” or circumstances in which a youth would benefit to an unusual extent from additional time
in the program.
c. Section 342 pertains to grants for technical assistance and training made to statewide and regional nonprofit organizations (and combinations of such organizations) to provide
assistance to entities eligible to carry out programs, projects, and activities under RHYA.
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