256E.115 Safe houses, transitional housing, and independent living assistance services for youth.
Subdivision 1. Definitions; commissioner duties. (a) The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) "Targeted youth" means children who are ages 16 to 21 and who are in out-of-home placement, leaving out-of-home placement, at risk of becoming homeless, or homeless.
(2) "Safe house" means a facility providing emergency housing for homeless targeted youth with the goal of reuniting the family if appropriate and possible.
(3) "Transitional housing" means congregate or cooperative housing for targeted youth who are transitioning to independent living.
(4) "Independent living assistance" means services provided to assist targeted youth who are not living in a safe house or transitional housing to make the transition to independent living.
(b) The commissioner shall issue a request for proposals from organizations that are knowledgeable about the needs of targeted youth for the purpose of establishing a system of safe houses, transitional housing, and independent living assistance for such youth. The commissioner shall appoint a review committee of up to eight members to evaluate the proposals. The review panel must include representation from communities of color, youth, and other community providers and agency representatives who understand the needs and problems of targeted youth. The commissioner shall also assist in coordinating funding from federal and state grant programs and funding available from a variety of sources for efforts to promote a continuum of services for targeted youth through a consolidated grant application. The commissioner shall analyze the needs of targeted youth and gaps in services throughout the state and determine how to best serve those needs within the available funding.
Subd. 2. Program service requirements; participation requirements; licensure of independent living assistance providers. (a) The following services, or adequate access to referrals for the following services, must be made available to the targeted youth participating in the programs described in subdivision 1:
(1) counseling services for the youth, and their families, if appropriate, on site, to help with problems that contributed to the homelessness or could impede making the transition to independent living;
(2) job services to help youth find employment in addition to creating jobs on site, including food service, maintenance, child care, and tutoring;
(3) health services that are confidential and provide preventive care services, crisis referrals, and other necessary health care services;
(4) living skills training to help youth learn how to care for themselves; and
(5) education services that help youth enroll in academic programs, if they are currently not in a program.
(b)(1) Targeted youth who have current drug or alcohol problems, a recent history of violent behaviors, or a mental health disorder or issue that is not being resolved through counseling or treatment are not eligible to receive the services described in subdivision 1.
(2) Targeted youth who are not employed, participating in employment training, or enrolled in an academic program are not eligible to receive transitional housing or independent living assistance.
(c) Providers of independent living assistance services must be licensed under section 245A.22.
HIST: 1989 c 282 art 2 s 131; 1995 c 207 art 4 s 4; 1997 c 248 s 43
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes