This bill aims to enhance the services provided to homeless youth through street outreach, basic center shelter, and transitional living programs by amending existing legislation. Key amendments include requirements for programs to consider the age, gender, and social and developmental needs of homeless youth, ensuring services are culturally and linguistically appropriate. The bill introduces new services such as assistance in completing financial aid applications and trauma-informed care for youth who are survivors of human trafficking or sexual exploitation. Additionally, it expands the age range for transitional living programs from 16-21 years to 16-25 years, allowing for tailored 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