05 May Funding Alert! Transitional Living Program & Maternity Group Home Grants for Runaway and Homeless Youth

Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Children & Families (ACYF)

Attention organizations and communities working to end youth homelessness, adolescent pregnancy, and domestic violence! The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)’s Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program is accepting applications for the transitional living program (TLP) and maternity group home (MGH) program, which will provide safe, stable and appropriate housing for youth ages 16 to under 22 years of age and their young families who are experiencing homelessness. This program was created in response to growing concern for youth in need of long-term, supportive assistance that emergency shelter programs were not equipped to provide.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public (state, local, and tribal) entities, private non-profit entities including faith-based organizations, community organizations, , non-profit private institutions of higher education, and coordinated networks. Organizations that are part of a state or local juvenile justice system are not eligible.

What is the program goal?

The primary goal of the TLP is to help runaway and homeless youth ages 16-22 establish sustainable living and well-being for themselves and, if applicable, their dependent children, so they can live healthy, productive, violence-free lives. The vision of the program is to successfully transition youth experiencing homelessness into adulthood through self-sufficient and sustainable living and skill development to promote economic independence, preventing long-term dependency on social services.

Similarly, the MGH program promotes long-term, economic independence and stability to ensure the well-being of youth and young families through supportive services, with a vision to successfully transition pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness into adulthood through learning parenting skills including child development, family budgeting, and health and nutrition.

The funding agency expects to award 83 grants for up to 36 months with a total award amount of $250,000. The total available funding pool is approximately $20.6 million. The program requires a 10% cost-share or matching funds of the total approved cost of the project. Initial grant awards will be for a 12-month budget period, with continuation awards beyond the initial period based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, and a determination that funding would be in the government’s best interest.

Projects must include the following components:

• Safe, stable, and appropriate shelter throughout a continuous period up to 540 days (635 for exceptional circumstances);
• Comprehensive youth-centered services model;
• Social and emotional well-being and strength-based approach;
• Outreach implementation strategy including education, awareness, youth engagement, and collaboration;
• Provision of basic needs;
• Screening and assessment;
• Case management including individualized service or treatment of the client and for dependents, and service coordination;
• Transition planning that consists of at least three months of aftercare; and
• Life skills training.

Additionally, MGH projects must provide child screening/assessment tools, childcare strategy, parenting skills, child development, financial literacy and budgeting, health and nutrition education, and parenting curricula.

See the full TLP notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) and the MGH NOFO for details of required components.

TLP proposals are due on Tuesday, June 21, 2022; MGH proposals are due June 26, 2022.

What makes a project a good fit?

TLP projects require applicants to provide safe and stable shelter to youth ages 16 to 22 years of age and their young families, if applicable. Qualifying applications will

• Include an agreement or linkage to an age-appropriate emergency shelter or temporary housing resource and a contingency plan for youth if the project age range does not fully reach 22 years of age;
• Have direct on-site supervision for housing facilities, support services for pregnant or parenting youth including space, equipment, and furnishings;
• Ensure staff are trained to interact with youth at-risk or experiencing trafficking, sexual exploitation, or similar traumatic experiences;
• Adhere to guidance provided in RHY regulations at 45 CFR 1351.18 for residential capacity;
• Engage youth in educational advancement, life skills training, job attainment skills, or work activities while in the program; and
• Ensure safe and appropriate exits with youth and young adults leave the program.

Similarly, MGH projects require applicants to provide safe and stable shelter to youth ages 16 to 22 years of age who are pregnant and/or parenting and their families. Qualifying applications will

• Include an agreement or linkage to an age-appropriate emergency shelter or temporary housing resource that can accommodate a pregnant or parenting youth and their dependent children and a contingency plan for youth if the project age range does not fully reach 22 years of age;
• Have direct on-site supervision for housing facilities, support services for pregnant or parenting youth including space, equipment, and furnishings;
• Ensure staff are trained to interact with youth at-risk or experiencing trafficking, sexual exploitation, or similar traumatic experiences;
• Adhere to guidance provided in RHY regulations at 45 CFR 1351.18 for residential capacity;
• Provide appropriate space, equipment, and furnishings including a separate bed for each youth and for each infant/child;
• Engage youth in educational advancement, life skills training, job attainment skills, or work activities while in the program; and
• Ensure safe and appropriate exits with youth and young adults leave the program.

What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:

• Review the full solicitations (TLP and MGH) for additional details and project activities.
• The ACF page has an overview of the programs and fact sheets.
• Check out the National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth & Families page, which includes news updates, resources, and other helpful information for organizations that support runaway and homeless youth and their families.
• Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have a Grants.gov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://sam.gov/content/status-tracker.

What if I need help with this application?

Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.

What if I am not ready to apply this year?

Start preparing for next year! HHS has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources, webinars, and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.

How do I learn more about federal grant proposal writing, so my application is more likely to be successful?

AGS is excited to offer a Federal Grants Training Series in 2022! The series is designed to support nonprofit leaders before and during the application process. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.

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Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs

Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy

Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization

Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs