Introduction
The Administration for Children and Families’ Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), in coordination with the Manhattan Strategy Group, has released the final report for the Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth (SSRHY) Demonstration Projects.
FYSB awarded demonstration grants to six states — Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Vermont — to implement projects designed to improve support for rural homeless youth by enhancing their connections to supportive services, the community, education, and employment.
The report outlines the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of their projects, best practices, and promising approaches to assist FYSB and RHY organizations with offering comprehensive and collaborative support and services for rural homeless youth.
According to the results, at the completion of the projects, 94% of youth in Colorado exited to a safe place; 90% of youth in Iowa are now receiving work readiness and job placement services; 91% of youth in Minnesota made safe exits; 50% of youth in Nebraska live with a parent/guardian, relative or friend, and 25% live independently; 101 youth in Oklahoma were provided a multitude of resources; and 18 of 55 youth in Vermont gained and sustained fulltime employment.
Each state was able to effectively collaborate with local partners to develop and deliver their SSRHY demonstration projects, which contributed to each project’s success.