National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program

The National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Family and Youth Services Bureau and its Division of Runaway and Homeless Youth. This program is designed to support a nationwide system that assists youth who are considering running away, have already run away, or are experiencing homelessness. The initiative focuses on providing immediate communication access between youth and their families, while also connecting them to shelters, counseling, and critical community-based services. The funding will support a single organization through a cooperative agreement to operate this national system, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to coordinated, accessible crisis intervention and prevention services. The core purpose of this grant is to maintain and enhance a 24 hour, seven days a week communication and referral system that serves youth and their families across the United States and its territories. This includes operating toll free hotline services as well as digital communication channels such as text, chat, and email. The program emphasizes crisis intervention, family reunification when appropriate, and prevention of youth homelessness. In addition, the selected recipient must provide technical assistance, information dissemination, and outreach to increase awareness of available services. The system must be capable of handling high volumes of contacts annually and must incorporate trauma informed and youth centered practices to address complex challenges such as mental health issues, substance use, abuse, and trafficking risks. Funding for this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement with an expected total program funding of 1800000 dollars for the first budget period, and a project period of three years divided into annual budget cycles. Only one award is expected, with a minimum award of 1000000 dollars and a maximum of 1800000 dollars for the initial year. The program requires a cost sharing contribution of 10 percent of the total project cost, which can be met through cash or in kind contributions. Funds may not be used for certain restricted activities such as construction, fundraising, or purchase of real property. The recipient must also adhere to federal regulations and demonstrate strong financial management and program integrity. Eligibility for this grant is broad but limited to public and private nonprofit entities, state and local governments, tribal governments, institutions of higher education, school districts, and public housing authorities. For profit entities and individuals are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate experience in providing communication services to vulnerable youth populations, particularly through hotline or digital platforms. The program prioritizes organizations with the capacity to operate nationwide services, manage high demand, and maintain uninterrupted operations. Faith based and community organizations are eligible provided they meet all requirements. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation. Applicants must be registered in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The project narrative must detail the proposed communication system, crisis intervention model, referral database, outreach strategies, and evaluation plan. Additional attachments include organizational capacity documentation, proof of nonprofit status, and third party agreements. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including approach, impact, organizational capacity, budget justification, and alignment with agency priorities. The evaluation process involves an initial screening for compliance followed by a merit based review scored across multiple criteria totaling 110 points. Reviewers assess the applicant’s ability to implement program components, deliver measurable outcomes, manage resources effectively, and align with federal priorities related to youth well being and family stability. The selected recipient will work closely with a federal project officer, reflecting the cooperative agreement structure, and must meet ongoing reporting and performance requirements including monthly and annual reporting metrics. Applications for this funding opportunity are due by August 19, 2026, with an expected project start date of September 30, 2026. The program does not indicate recurring cycles, suggesting a single competitive opportunity tied to available appropriations. The timeline includes preparatory steps such as registration and application development, followed by review, award notification, and project implementation. Contact and support information is provided within the notice for technical assistance. Overall, this grant represents a significant federal investment in national infrastructure to support runaway and homeless youth through coordinated communication, intervention, and prevention services.

Demonstrate nationwide operational capacity and high volume service readiness; clearly align proposal with crisis intervention and communication system requirements; provide strong data and evaluation plan; ensure compliance with federal priorities