Runaway/Homeless Youth Resources

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) was adopted in 1978 in response to the unmet needs of a growing number of runaway and homeless youth. In New York State, the Office of Children and Family Services is responsible for administering RHYA. This is implemented through the state's network of County Youth Bureaus and public and private youth service agencies.

In New York State a runaway youth is defined as a person under the age of 18 years who is absent from his/her legal residence without the consent of his/her parent, legal guardian or custodian. A homeless youth is defined as a person under the age of 21 who is in need of services and is without a place of shelter where supervision and care are available.

For information about local resources that can help runaway and homeless youth please download the form below.


Homeless Resources In Broome County

Collecting data about children and youth experiencing homelessness is an ongoing goal of ours. Please help us by completing the form below each time you are working with a young person in need.

RHY Data Survey Form

Educational Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
During the 1980s, the federal government recognized the magnitude of the problem of homelessness within our country and, more specifically, the increasing incidences of homelessness among families with children and unaccompanied youth. As a result, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Act, reauthorized most recently as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:

  • The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment.
  • The right to attend school in his/her school of origin, if requested any feasible, OR in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.
  • The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin.
  • The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
  • The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness.
  • The posting of all homeless students’ rights in all schools and other places around the community.

In addition, every school district must designate an appropriate staff person as a Homeless Liaison within their respective district to assist and identify homeless students.

For a listing of our local Broome County School District Homeless Liaisons, please download the file below.

Broome County School District Homeless Liaisons

Youth Bureau Directory


Catholic Charities of Broome County: Teen Transitional Living Program 

Teen Transitional Living Program (TTLP) provides a safe, stable and supportive living environment to youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who meet the criteria for being a runaway or homeless youth. TTLP offers intensive case management and provides an array of services and programming to empower youth and teach skills they will need as they move from crisis to transitional to independence, self-sufficiency and sustainable living.

Services offered: basic needs, educational/vocational and career planning, community service, recreational activities, transportation, assistance in the development of needed skills including independent living skill (ILS) building, decision making, social skills, coping/problem solving skills, menu planning and grocery shopping, money management, time management skills, parenting skills, and housing and community awareness

Payment: No fee for our program. We are grant funded. All youth apply for DSS temporary assistance.

Support Services Provided: Vocational, academic, independent living skills, counseling, job stipend program, parenting services

Eligibility: Youth eligible for this program must be between the ages of 16 and 20 and be runaways or homeless

232 Main Street Binghamton, NY 13905 Phone (607) 729-9166   E-mail


The NYS Technical & Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS TEACHS) provides free technical assistance to school districts, social service providers, shelters, families, youth and others about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  

If you have a school related question or concern about a young person experiencing homelessness call the NYS TEACHS Toll-Free Helpline at 1-800-388-2014