What is NCHYF?
I’m a young person looking for help. What should I do?
How do I help someone who might be a victim of human trafficking?
What types of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) programs does FYSB fund? 
Where can I get help as a new FYSB RHY program grantee?
How can I start a new Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) program in my community?
How can my organization help a youth apply for college?
Where can I find information about trauma-informed care?
Where can I find the latest research related to the runaway and homeless youth population?

Q: What is NCHYF?

A: NCHYF is the National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families, a national resource for organizations that support runaway and homeless youth and their families with programs and services. The clearinghouse launched in November 2017 and is a service of the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). For more information, read About Us.
 

Q: I’m a young person looking for help. What should I do?

A: Our website includes a list of hotlines available 24/7/365 for young people in need of help. Contact information for these organizations is also at the bottom of every page on our site, including this one.  
 

Q: How do I help someone who might be a victim of human trafficking?

A: Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice at https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking and https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/humantrafficking/.
 

Q: What types of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) programs does FYSB fund? 

A: FYSB supports street outreach, emergency shelters, and longer-term transitional living and maternity group homes through its Runway and Homeless Youth grant programs. FYSB generally issues Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) every January. You can get more information about the grant application process and FOAs at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto and https://www.grants.gov/. The National Safe Place Network also has information about the grant application process: www.nspnetwork.org/gearing-up-for-grants.
 

Q: Where can I get help as a new FYSB RHY program grantee?

A: Visit the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) website: https://www.rhyttac.net/tips-for-rhy-grantees.
 

Q: How can I start a new Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) program in my community?

A: First, determine what programs are already in your area. You can find the current Families and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees in your state at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/fysb-grantees. Also, search for other local youth-serving programs on Map My Community https://youth.gov/map-my-community. Once you’re ready to start, visit the FYSB Build a Youth Program training.
 

Q: How can my organization help a youth apply for college?

A: Visit the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth to download the Unaccompanied Youth Toolkit for Shelters and Service Providers.  School House Connection is another helpful resource on educational issues related to homeless youth. Recent webinars include Understanding Federal Student Aid Policy and Practice for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and Federal Legislation to Promote Access and Success in Higher Education for Youth in Foster Care and Experiencing Homelessness. Webinars are free of charge.
 

Q: Where can I find information about trauma-informed care?

A: You can download Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). In addition, NCTSN offers an 11-lesson Homeless Youth Online Training in collaboration with the Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership. A free online registration is required to access all NCTSN trainings and continuing education.
 

Q: Where can I find the latest research related to the runaway and homeless youth population?

A: The National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families (NCHYF) has a searchable database of research summaries containing records for around 12,000 materials. Each record includes an abstract, bibliographic citation, and where to obtain the material; many items are available free of charge. Other helpful searchable databases or research data:

Office of Justice Programs/Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Program Guide

Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness

Voices of Youth Count

Urban Institute