Recognizing Wilder Research’s findings that 71 percent of homeless youth had been in out-of-home placement, the Legislature passed $4.34 million over four years to assist youth in out-of-home placement with intensive independent living skills training, and to provide support services to youth ages 18 or older who experienced a county-approved placement after age 16.
A Request for Proposals, Preparing Youth for a Healthy Transition to Adulthood, has been released and is available on the DHS grants page.
Grant applications are due by January 13.
The funds will go to agencies on a performance-based contract to serve one or both of the following populations:
- Youth ages 16 or older in out-of-home placement, by preparing them for a healthy transition to self-sufficient adulthood — these services will focus on comprehensive assessments and intensive independent living programming.
- Youth ages 18 to 21 who have experienced county, tribal social services, or corrections placements after age 16, by providing them with Independent Living Skills training as a means to maintain stable housing; agencies providing services will accept youth who are either homeless or precariously housed and move them along a continuum of housing alternatives by providing comprehensive assessment and case management to maintain or improve their hosing status and ability to live independently.
It is anticipated that 60 percent of the funds will be distributed to metropolitan and/or urban areas, and the remainder will go to programs in Greater Minnesota, depending on the number of applications received and the proposed populations to be served.
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Beth Holger at beth.holger@state.mn.us or (651) 297-3634. Please also contact Beth if you are not applying but are interested in being a grant reviewer.