This bill aims to enhance the services provided to homeless youth through street outreach, basic center shelters, and transitional living programs. It amends existing legislation to ensure that these programs consider the age, gender, and social and developmental needs of homeless youth, while also being culturally and linguistically appropriate. Key additions include the requirement for programs to assist youth in completing financial aid applications and to provide trauma-informed services specifically for survivors of human trafficking or sexual exploitation. The age range for transitional living programs is expanded from 16-21 to 16-25 years, with provisions for additional services for those aged 22-25, including crisis intervention and referrals to support services.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that all staff members in these programs complete a training program developed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in collaboration with the Commission on Human Trafficking. This training will focus on the connections between human trafficking, childhood trauma, and youth homelessness. The DCF is also tasked with periodically reviewing the training content to ensure it remains relevant to current laws and service delivery needs. Overall, the bill seeks to provide a more comprehensive and supportive framework for addressing the challenges faced by homeless youth in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:12A-6, 9:12A-7, 9:12A-8