Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) provides training and technical assistance to recipients of grants under the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)  Runaway and Homeless Youth programs, specifically the Street Outreach Program, Basic Center Program, Transitional Living Program, and Maternity Group Home Program.

RHYTTAC, which is sponsored by FYSB, supports grantees’ work with runaway and homeless youth by offering training and technical assistance on a large variety of topics ranging from implementing evidence-based approaches to fulfilling grant requirements. For example, RHYTTAC is the source for information and technical assistance related to the Runaway and Homeless Youth-Homeless Management Information System, the federally mandated data-collection system for homeless youth grantees.

Grantees can access RHYTTAC’s continually updated collection of on-demand training — recorded webinars and e-learning courses — developed and presented by subject matter experts and experienced trainers. In addition, RHYTTAC provides regularly scheduled facilitated webinars and regional trainings. The schedule for these trainings is available on the RHYTTAC event calendar.

RHYTTAC also supports Runaway and Homeless Youth Program grantees through an annual grantee training, typically held during National Runaway Prevention Month in November. The multi-day training features a variety of speakers, plenary sessions, and workshops that address all aspects of RHY work as well as opportunities to network and collaborate with other grantees and FYSB staff.

In addition to training, RHYTTAC also supports grantees with technical assistance (TA). TA services include assessments and consultations to address program-specific needs. TA services can be provided by telephone, email, or on site. RHYTTAC also offers TA clinics. These regionally-based events — also listed on the RHYTTAC event calendar — provide participants with opportunities to address issues identified by the field and/or by federal project officers. Grantees can request training or technical assistance to meet specific needs by contacting RHYTTAC.

In addition to training and technical assistance, RHYTTAC offers a wide selection of toolkits and other resources to assist grantees in implementing best practices in their programs.

Through RHYTTAC, grantees can also register to participate in the Communities of Practice. After registering at the RHYTTAC website, grantee staff can connect and collaborate with others in organizations doing similar work. Participants share knowledge and experience, pose questions, and discuss topics of interest to the group.

RHYTTAC is operated by the National Safe Place Network.

Contact the RHYTTAC training and technical assistance team at info@rhyttac.net  or call 888-290-7233 with your questions, training needs, ideas, and other requests for assistance.

National Runaway Safeline

The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a national, toll-free hotline for youth who are homeless, have run away, or are at risk of running away or becoming homeless and their families and friends. NRS, which is sponsored by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), is the only federally designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth. NRS is staffed by crisis hotline counselors and trained volunteers. Young people and concerned families and friends can contact NRS 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for personalized, confidential and non-judgmental support and connection to resources. NRS can be reached by phone, text, or chat and many of the resources available can also be found at the website. A discussion forum also offers answers to questions that multiple users may have.

NRS offers a variety of services for young people who are homeless, have run away, or are considering running away. Families and friends who are trying to prevent their children from running away or locate ones who have can also get support from NRS and help locating or contacting runaway youth. Staff and volunteers draw on a database of 7,000 youth and family resources to provide local options for callers, including shelter services, counseling, alcohol/drug treatment assistance, and child protective services. If young people request it, NRS staff can facilitate and moderate conference calls with parents, relay messages to parents while maintaining youth confidentiality, or arrange a free ride home through a partnership with Greyhound Bus Lines.

NRS also has resources for educators, such as  Let’s Talk, a free, evidence-based, interactive curriculum intended to educate young people about alternatives to running away. Let’s Talk, which is also available in Spanish as Hablemos, builds life skills to empower young people and help them solve personal problems. The curriculum has been used in youth groups, schools, and other settings. Also for schools and community organizations, free runaway prevention materials are available for display and dissemination.

For more information, visit 1800runaway.org, call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929), or text 66008.

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