2007 Minnesota Statutes

256K.35 AT-RISK YOUTH OUT-OF-WEDLOCK PREGNANCY PREVENTION
PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment and purpose. The commissioner shall establish a statewide
grant program to prevent or reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies among homeless,
runaway, or thrown-away youth who are at risk of being prostituted or currently being used in
prostitution. The goal of the out-of-wedlock pregnancy prevention program is to significantly
increase the number of existing short-term shelter beds for these youth in the state. By providing
street outreach and supportive services for emergency shelter, transitional housing, and services
to reconnect the youth with their families where appropriate, the number of youth at risk of
being sexually exploited or actually being sexually exploited, and thus at risk of experiencing an
out-of-wedlock pregnancy, will be reduced.
    Subd. 2. Funds available. The commissioner shall make funds for street outreach and
supportive services for emergency shelter and transitional housing for out-of-wedlock pregnancy
prevention available to eligible nonprofit corporations or government agencies to provide
supportive services for emergency and transitional housing for at-risk youth. The commissioner
shall consider the need for emergency and transitional housing supportive services throughout the
state, and must give priority to applicants who offer 24-hour emergency facilities.
    Subd. 3. Application; eligibility. (a) A nonprofit corporation or government agency must
submit an application to the commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner establishes.
The application must describe how the applicant meets the eligibility criteria under paragraph (b).
The commissioner may also require an applicant to provide additional information.
(b) To be eligible for funding under this section, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
(1) the applicant must have a commitment to helping the community, children, and
preventing juvenile prostitution. If the applicant does not have any past experience with youth
involved in or at risk of being used in prostitution, the applicant must demonstrate knowledge of
best practices in this area and develop a plan to follow those practices;
(2) the applicant must present a plan to communicate with local law enforcement officials,
social services, and the commissioner consistent with state and federal law; and
(3) the applicant must present a plan to encourage homeless, runaway, or thrown-away youth
to either reconnect with family or to transition into long-term housing.
    Subd. 4. Uses of funds. (a) Funds available under this section must be used to create
and maintain supportive services for emergency shelter and transitional housing for homeless,
runaway, and thrown-away youth. Federal TANF funds must be used to serve youth and their
families with household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. If other
funds are available, services may be provided to youth outside of TANF-eligible families.
(b) Funds available under this section shall not be used to conduct general education or
awareness programs unrelated to the operation of an emergency shelter or transitional housing.
History: 2000 c 488 art 10 s 27