Fact Sheet: Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth

History

Thousands of young people run away from their homes, are asked to leave their homes, or become homeless in the United States each year. Since 1975, the Federal Government has funded emergency shelter programs for runaway and homeless youth that provide for the immediate needs of these youth and their families and promote family reunification. Unfortunately, many homeless young people cannot return to their families. Some have escaped abusive situations; others are the victims of neglect, abandonment, or severe family conflict.

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

Today, FYSB continues to fund TLP under the provisions of the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-378). In FY 2008, 218 programs received funding totaling $41.0 million.

Purpose

FYSB’s mission is to provide national leadership on youth and family issues. The Bureau promotes positive outcomes for children, youth, and families by supporting a wide range of comprehensive services and collaborations at the local, Tribal, State, and national levels. The goals of FYSB programs are to provide positive alternatives for youth, ensure their safety, and maximize their potential to take advantage of available opportunities. 

Through the TLP, FYSB supports projects that provide longer-term residential services to homeless youth ages 16-22. Services are provided for up to 21 months, or until a young person turns 18 years old. These services are designed to help youth who are homeless make a successful transition to self-sufficient living.

TLP grantees are required to provide youth with stable, safe living accommodations and services that help them develop the skills necessary to move to independence. Living accommodations may be host family homes, group homes, maternity group homes, or supervised apartments owned by the TLP or rented in the community.

Services Provided

TLP grantees are required to offer the following services, either directly or by referral: 

• Safe, stable living accommodations
  
  
• Basic life-skill building, including consumer education and instruction in budgeting, using credit, housekeeping, menu planning, food preparation, and parenting skills
  
  
• Interpersonal skill building, including enhancing young people’s abilities to establish positive relationships with peers and adults, make decisions, and manage stress
  
  
• Educational opportunities, such as GED preparation, postsecondary training, or vocational education
  
  
• Assistance in job preparation and attainment, such as career counseling and job placement
  
  
• Education, information, and counseling to prevent, treat, and reduce substance abuse
  
  
• Mental health care, including individual and group counseling
  
  
• Physical health care, including routine physicals, health assessments, and emergency treatment

In addition, FYSB requires grantees to incorporate elements of Positive Youth Development. The approach suggests that the best way to prevent risky behavior is to help young people achieve their full potential. Youth development strategies focus on giving young people the chance to exercise leadership, build skills, and become involved in their communities.

FYSB’s Grant Award Process

FYSB solicits applications for the Transitional Living Program through funding announcements on the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov. Applications are competitively reviewed by peer panels, and successful applicants receive 5-year grants.

For More Information

For further information about FYSB’s TLP, contact the National Clearinghouse on
Families & Youth, P.O. Box 13505, Silver Spring, MD  20911-3505; (301) 608-8098;
fax:  (301) 608-8721; e-mail: ncfy@acf.hhs.gov; Web site: http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov.