First step program provides temporary shelter and essential services to runaway and homeless youth. - the basic center program (BCP) (CY) provides temporary shelter and counseling services to youth…

Tumbleweed Runaway Program, Inc. received a $350,000 Project Grant award from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) under the Basic Center Program (CFDA 93.623), effective September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. The organization delivers emergency shelter and crisis intervention services to runaway and homeless youth under age 18 in Montana. Core services include up to 21 days of emergency shelter, meals, clothing, individual and family counseling, case management, and referrals for health care. The program emphasizes family reunification whenever safe to do so, or identifies appropriate alternative placements for youth who cannot safely return home.

The Basic Center Program operates as a three-year project period with annual 12-month budget cycles. Tumbleweed's grant-funded services target youth experiencing housing instability due to running away, being forced from home, unsafe family conditions, or lack of safe alternative arrangements. By providing immediate stabilization and supportive services, the program aims to prevent vulnerable youth from entering law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems. This award represents a typical funding level within the program's standard range of $165,000 to $772,140 for emergency shelter operations nationwide.

First step program provides temporary shelter and essential services to runaway and homeless youth. - the basic center program (BCP) (CY) provides temporary shelter and counseling services to youth who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians, have been forced to leave home, or other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in the law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems. Bcps work to establish or strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Bcps provide youth under 18 years of age with emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling and referrals for health care. Bcps can provide up to 21 days of shelter for youth and seek to reunite young people with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate alternative placements.