Related Web Sites
National Runaway Switchboard: Provides information and resources to runaways, their families and runaway programs. www.1800runaway.org
The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) supports local communities in providing services and opportunities to young people, particularly runaway and homeless youth. FYSB does so by awarding funding that enables communities to offer services to young people and their families and to test new approaches to helping youth.
In addition, the Bureau has created a network of support that includes a national hotline and referral system for runaway and homeless youth; offers conferences, trainings, and on-site consultations; documents effective practices; and distributes information. The National Runaway Switchboard is the federally designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth. The National Runaway Switchboard also offers live chat services for youth as well as media and outreach resources for programs.
A list of FYSB funded agencies can be found through RHYTTAC. Additionally the website Find Youth Infoprovides information on bullying, mentoring, Positive Youth Development and other topics relevant to RHY. There is also a map where for locating resources in your community (by using your zip code). It also has a funding resources link.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Homeless Liaison Contact list provides a list of contacts responsible within each Wisconsin School District for coordinating educational access and services for youth who are homeless.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 2,100 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. They tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters. Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together these programs engage more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.
The Wisconsin National and Community Service Board (WNCSB) was established in 1994 in response to the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (refer to Wisconsin Act 437). The WNCSB supports service in Wisconsin primarily by granting AmeriCorps funds to organizations that involve citizens in service activities that meet human, educational, environmental, public safety, and homeland security needs. Through their participation in AmeriCorps programs, citizens are given the opportunity to not only enrich the lives of the people and communities they serve but also their own lives through professional and personal development.
AmeriCorps and other national service initiatives are funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. In addition, the Corporation provides education awards to participants who successfully complete a term of service with an AmeriCorps program.
Project 1649 provides an award winning 2010 documentary on homeless Rock County Youth titled Project 16:49. The title comes from the sixteen hours and 49 minutes between school ending one day and starting the next when many children and adolescents are uncertain of where they will sleep.The film can be found here.