Chapter 417 — Interstate Compacts on Juveniles and Children; Children and Family

ORS 417.803 Host home project grants for youth experiencing homelessness; rules

(1)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Host home project” means a project that facilitates an arrangement under which a youth experiencing homelessness resides in the home of a private individual, pursuant to the terms of a contract between the private individual and the youth, for free or at below-market rent.

(b)

“Long-term host home project” means a host home project run by an organization that has a memorandum of understanding or a letter of agreement with one or more school districts and in which participating youth experiencing homelessness, on average during the most recent two years, resided in host homes for a minimum of 180 days, as reported by the relevant school district.

(c)

“Short-term host home project” means a host home project in which participating youth experiencing homelessness, on average during the most recent two years, resided in host homes for a maximum of 180 days, as reported by the relevant school district.

(d)

“Youth experiencing homelessness” means a person who is:

(A)

At least 16 years of age but not more than 21 years of age;

(B)

Not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian;

(C)

Not in the custody of the Department of Human Services;

(D)

Not a ward of the state; and

(E)

Homeless.

(2)

In addition to and not in lieu of any other scholarships or grants, the department may award two-year grants to organizations that operate host home projects for youth experiencing homelessness.

(3)

An organization is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the organization can demonstrate the ability to:

(a)

Continue the operation of existing host home projects;

(b)

Expand host home projects in communities in which the organization provides services;

(c)

Establish new long-term host home projects in communities that do not have long-term host home projects; or

(d)

Establish new short-term host home projects.

(4)

Recipients of grants awarded under this section shall work to achieve the following outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness:

(a)

Improved school attendance.

(b)

Participation in formal or informal mentoring.

(c)

Increased access to nutrition, health care, mental trauma-informed support and transportation services.

(5)

A recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall ensure all individuals of 18 years of age or older residing in the host home who are not the youth experiencing homelessness have an approved background check under ORS 181A.200 and 409.027.

(6)

A host home is not a child-caring agency as defined in ORS 418.205.

(7)

The department may adopt rules to administer the grant program described in this section.

(Office of Children’s Advocate)