Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth

The Service Connection for Youth on the Streets, also referred to as the Street Outreach Program (SOP), makes funding available to nonprofit agencies for the purpose of providing street-based services to runaway, homeless and street youth who have be

Street Outreach Programs provide street-based aid and prevention services to runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse, prostitution, sexual exploitation, and severe form of trafficking in persons.

Public (state and local) and private non-profit entities (including faith-based and community organizations) and coordinated networks of such entities, are eligible to apply for a RHY Program award unless they are part of the juvenile justice system. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. In selecting applications to receive awards under the SOP, priority will be given to public and non-profit private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards.

Runaway and homeless street youth 21 years of age or younger and their families are the beneficiaries.

The SOP provides outreach to runaway and homeless youth on the streets or in areas that increase the risk of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, the goal being to help young people get off the streets and into safe settings. The program also provides education and prevention services, directly or through collaboration with other agencies, to runaway, homeless and street youth that have been subjected to or are at risk of sexual exploitation or abuse.

Construction. Purchase of real property. Major renovation: Costs for renovation of existing structures may not normally exceed 15% of the federal award. Costs for acquisition is not allowable by statute.

Awards are made competitively for a project periods of three years, with three 12-month budget periods.

Consultation or assistance is available from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services. (NOTE: State/territory participation in the intergovernmental review process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance under a program. A potential applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to submitting an application to its State POC).

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO(s).

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for application deadlines.

Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals regarding disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.