Transitional Living for Older Homeless Youth

In the United States, Transitional Living Programs usually refer to programs and efforts to teach independent living skills to homeless youth and help them transition to adulthood. The United States government supports a grant program to fund such efforts.

The Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth (often referred to as TLP), funded by the [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/ Family and Youth Services Bureau] of the [http://www.hhs.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] , provides residential services for up to 18 months for homeless youth ages 16 to 21. [ [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/tlpfactsheet.htm Fact Sheet: Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth] , Retrieved March 31, 2008]

Often older runaway, thrownaway, and homeless youth either have no home or are unable to return home because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or severe family conflict. These youth must transition to adulthood without the support of family, leaving the youth to learn to cook and care for themselves, find jobs (often without a high school degree), and apply to college on their own. Many of these youth end up using drugs and alcohol or participating in prostitution to earn money. [ [ http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/publications/exchange/0603.pdf The Exchange, "Transitional Living Programs Move Homeless Youth Closer to Independence", March 2006] ]

TLPs provide youth with safe and stable living arrangements, which can be in the form of host family homes, group homes, maternity group homes, or supervised apartments. [ [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/tlpfactsheet.htm Fact Sheet: Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth] , Retrieved March 31, 2008]

TLPs also provide training and services, either directly or by referral, for youth to develop life skills to gain independence and live on their own. Types of services include: life skill training, including financial planning and responsibility, food preparation, and parenting skills; educational opportunities, including GED preparation and vocational training; employment opportunities and assistance like career counseling, resume writing, and interview skills; substance abuse treatment or prevention; group or individual counseling; and medical care, including routine physicals and emergency treatment. [Ibid.]

The United States Congress authorized funding for the Transitional Living Program through the 1988 Amendments to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. The program is currently funded through the [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/aboutfysb/RHYComp.pdf Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act of 2003] , which also authorizes funding for maternity group homes. Maternity group homes provide the same services as TLPs, but also provide parenting instruction and child care. [ [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/mghfactsheet.htm Fact Sheet: Maternity Group Homes Program] , Retrieved March 31, 2008]

ee also

*Runaway youth
*United States Department of Health and Human Services
*National Runaway Switchboard

References

External links

* [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/ Family and Youth Services Bureau]
* [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/locate.htm Locate a TLP Program]
* [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/tlpfactsheet.htm Fact Sheet: Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth]
* [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/youthdivision/programs/mghfactsheet.htm Fact Sheet: Maternity Group Homes Program]