2010 Public Policy Recommendations Summary

SUMMARY OF 2010 PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Version 02.01.2010

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RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT APPROPRIATIONS

Appropriate $165 million in FY 2011 for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs. RHYA programs provide funds to community-based, faith-based, and public organizations to develop and expand comprehensive, cost-efficient, and effective street-based and center-based outreach and engagement, shelter, transitional housing, and support services for youth experiencing runaway situations or homelessness. Congress should appropriate at least $140 million for the consolidated runaway and homeless youth account and at least $25 million for the runaway prevention account.

ADOLESCENT FAMILY LIFE PROGRAM

Appropriate $35 million in FY 2011 for the Adolescent Family Life program. The AFL program provides funds to community-based, faith-based, and public organizations to develop and expand comprehensive, cost-efficient, and effective health and support services projects for expectant and parenting youth.

Reauthorize the Adolescent Family Life Act. AFLA should be extended through 2015 and its authorization level should be increased. AFLA should be strengthened to transition the program from a demonstration program to a permanent federal funding stream for community-based programs supporting the health and well-being of young families.

JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Appropriate $500 million in FY 2011 for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) programs. JJDPA programs ensure the availability of prevention and early intervention supports to youth at risk of delinquency and funding to states to transform their juvenile justice systems to place greater emphasis on prevention, treatment, and alternatives to incarceration.

Reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. JJDPA should be extended through 2015 and its authorization level should be increased. The JJDPA should be strengthened to reduce unaccompanied youth contact with the justice system by eliminating the valid court order exception to the deinstitutionalization of status offenders core requirement of the JJDPA. Further, the law should reduce youth recidivism to the juvenile justice system by better promoting transition planning, post-release housing, and other reentry strategies.

EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM

Appropriate at least $140 million in FY 2011 for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (ECHY) program. The EHCY program provides funds to states to assist communities in ensuring that young people experiencing homelessness may exercise their right to enroll, attend, and succeed in school.

Reauthorize the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. EHCY should be extended through 2015 and its authorization level should be increased. Improvements should be made to ensure homeless students’ access to transportation services and after school activities.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT YOUTH PROGRAMS

Appropriate at least $3 billion in FY 2011 for Workforce Investment Act Youth Activities program. The Workforce Investment Act provides funds to states and communities to organize and deliver workforce services to Americans seeking job training and employment. WIA youth activities funds are distributed to public and non-profit community-based agencies to deliver a range of workforce services to youth, including remedial and alternative education, job training, job search and job placement, career planning, life skills education, and supportive services.

Reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act. WIA should be extended through 2015 and its authorization level should be increased. Improvements should be made to ensure homeless youth access to WIA services, including by removing parent consent and financial eligibility barriers to participation.

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM

Improve Young Family Access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Congress should pass legislation to remove barriers that young families experience in securing temporary income through the TANF program. TANF program provisions requiring young parent participation in education and training and living with an adult relative as a condition of program participation have proven problematic for some young families to comply at the outset of applying to the program or during program participation.