2012 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 256K. SERVICES FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES AND YOUTH

256K.01 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.015 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.02 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.03 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.04 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.05 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.06 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.07 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.08 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.09 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 16 s 3]

256K.25 [Repealed, 2008 c 361 art 5 s 4]

LONG-TERM HOMELESS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

256K.26 LONG-TERM HOMELESS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

Subdivision 1.Establishment and purpose.

The commissioner shall establish the long-term homeless supportive services fund to provide integrated services needed to stabilize individuals, families, and youth living in supportive housing developed to further the goals set forth in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 15, section 9.

Subd. 2.Implementation.

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of the Department of Corrections and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, counties, providers and funders of supportive housing and services, shall develop application requirements and make funds available according to this section, with the goal of providing maximum flexibility in program design.

Subd. 3.Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:

(1) "long-term homelessness" means lacking a permanent place to live continuously for one year or more or at least four times in the past three years; and

(2) "household" means an individual, family, or unaccompanied minor experiencing long-term homelessness.

Subd. 4.County eligibility.

Counties are eligible for funding under this section. Priority will be given to proposals submitted on behalf of multicounty partnerships.

Subd. 5.Content of proposals.

Proposals will be evaluated on the extent to which they:

(1) include partnerships with providers of services or other partners;

(2) develop strategies to enhance housing stability for people experiencing long-term homelessness by integrating services and establishing consistent services and procedures across jurisdictions as appropriate;

(3) evidence a commitment to working with the commissioners of human services, corrections, and the Housing Finance Agency to identify appropriate households to be served under this section and serve households as defined in subdivision 3. The commissioner may also set criteria for serving people at significant risk of experiencing long-term homelessness, with a priority on serving families with minor children;

(4) ensure that projects make maximum use of mainstream resources, including employment, social, and health services, and leverage additional public and private resources in order to serve the maximum number of households;

(5) demonstrate cost-effectiveness by identifying and prioritizing those services most necessary for housing stability; and

(6) evaluate and report on outcomes of the projects according to protocols developed by the commissioner of human services in cooperation with the commissioners of corrections and the Housing Finance Agency. Evaluation would include methods for determining the quality of the integrated service approach, improvement in outcomes, cost savings, or reduction in service disparities that may result.

Subd. 6.Outcomes.

Projects will be selected to further the following outcomes:

(1) reduce the number of Minnesota individuals and families that experience long-term homelessness;

(2) increase the number of housing opportunities with supportive services;

(3) develop integrated, cost-effective service models that address the multiple barriers to obtaining housing stability faced by people experiencing long-term homelessness, including abuse, neglect, chemical dependency, disability, chronic health problems, or other factors including ethnicity and race that may result in poor outcomes or service disparities;

(4) encourage partnerships among counties, community agencies, schools, and other providers so that the service delivery system is seamless for people experiencing long-term homelessness;

(5) increase employability, self-sufficiency, and other social outcomes for individuals and families experiencing long-term homelessness; and

(6) reduce inappropriate use of emergency health care, shelter, chemical dependency, foster care, child protection, corrections, and similar services used by people experiencing long-term homelessness.

Subd. 7.Eligible services.

Services eligible for funding under this section are all services needed to maintain households in permanent supportive housing, as determined by the county or counties administering the project or projects.

Subd. 8.Families experiencing long-term homelessness.

The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of housing finance and corrections, shall assess whether the definition of long-term homelessness impacts the ability of families with minor children experiencing homelessness to obtain services necessary to support housing stability.

History:

1Sp2005 c 4 art 3 s 16

256K.30 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 1 s 107]

AT-RISK YOUTH OUT-OF-WEDLOCK
PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM

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

RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT

256K.45 RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

(c) "Homeless youth" means a person 21 years of age or younger who is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian and is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision are available, whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care, or who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The following are not fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residences:

(1) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations;

(2) an institution or a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations;

(3) transitional housing;

(4) a temporary placement with a peer, friend, or family member that has not offered permanent residence, a residential lease, or temporary lodging for more than 30 days; or

(5) a public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

Homeless youth does not include persons incarcerated or otherwise detained under federal or state law.

(d) "Youth at risk of homelessness" means a person 21 years of age or younger whose status or circumstances indicate a significant danger of experiencing homelessness in the near future. Status or circumstances that indicate a significant danger may include: (1) youth exiting out-of-home placements; (2) youth who previously were homeless; (3) youth whose parents or primary caregivers are or were previously homeless; (4) youth who are exposed to abuse and neglect in their homes; (5) youth who experience conflict with parents due to chemical or alcohol dependency, mental health disabilities, or other disabilities; and (6) runaways.

(e) "Runaway" means an unmarried child under the age of 18 years who is absent from the home of a parent or guardian or other lawful placement without the consent of the parent, guardian, or lawful custodian.

Subd. 2.Homeless and runaway youth report.

The commissioner shall develop a report for homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways. The report shall include coordination of services as defined under subdivisions 3 to 5.

Subd. 3.Street and community outreach and drop-in program.

Youth drop-in centers must provide walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis. Street and community outreach programs must locate, contact, and provide information, referrals, and services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways. Information, referrals, and services provided may include, but are not limited to:

(1) family reunification services;

(2) conflict resolution or mediation counseling;

(3) assistance in obtaining temporary emergency shelter;

(4) assistance in obtaining food, clothing, medical care, or mental health counseling;

(5) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy;

(6) referrals to other agencies that provide support services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness, and runaways;

(7) assistance with education, employment, and independent living skills;

(8) aftercare services;

(9) specialized services for highly vulnerable runaways and homeless youth, including teen parents, emotionally disturbed and mentally ill youth, and sexually exploited youth; and

(10) homelessness prevention.

Subd. 4.Emergency shelter program.

(a) Emergency shelter programs must provide homeless youth and runaways with referral and walk-in access to emergency, short-term residential care. The program shall provide homeless youth and runaways with safe, dignified shelter, including private shower facilities, beds, and at least one meal each day; and shall assist a runaway with reunification with the family or legal guardian when required or appropriate.

(b) The services provided at emergency shelters may include, but are not limited to:

(1) family reunification services;

(2) individual, family, and group counseling;

(3) assistance obtaining clothing;

(4) access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling;

(5) education and employment services;

(6) recreational activities;

(7) advocacy and referral services;

(8) independent living skills training;

(9) aftercare and follow-up services;

(10) transportation; and

(11) homelessness prevention.

Subd. 5.Supportive housing and transitional living programs.

Transitional living programs must help homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness to find and maintain safe, dignified housing. The program may also provide rental assistance and related supportive services, or refer youth to other organizations or agencies that provide such services. Services provided may include, but are not limited to:

(1) educational assessment and referrals to educational programs;

(2) career planning, employment, work skill training, and independent living skills training;

(3) job placement;

(4) budgeting and money management;

(5) assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income;

(6) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy;

(7) referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment;

(8) parenting skills;

(9) self-sufficiency support services or life skill training;

(10) aftercare and follow-up services; and

(11) homelessness prevention.

Subd. 6.Funding.

Any funds appropriated for this section may be expended on programs described under subdivisions 3 to 5, technical assistance, and capacity building. Up to four percent of funds appropriated may be used for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating runaway and homeless youth programs receiving funding under this section. Funding shall be directed to meet the greatest need, with a significant share of the funding focused on homeless youth providers in greater Minnesota.

History:

2006 c 264 s 13; 2007 c 147 art 2 s 49