[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH AMENDMENTS OF 1996

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                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 1996

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce, with my 
colleagues Mr. Kildee and Mr. Scott, the administration's proposal to 
reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
  It is estimated that 1.3 million young people run away or are 
homeless each year. Since 1974, the services funded by the Runaway and 
Homeless Youth Act have meant the difference between life and death for 
young people living on the streets. The basic centers program has 
provided safe havens which seek to help reunite families. The 
transitional living services have provided older homeless youth, who do 
not return to their families, with the skills needed to make a 
successful transition to an independent adulthood.
  The Runaway and Homeless Youth Amendments of 1996 maintain the 
commitment to youth in crisis by authorizing a comprehensive effort 
that combines the resources of the basic centers program and the 
transitional living grant program. This initiative also makes use of 
current drug abuse prevention and education services, as well as 
various demonstration projects and targeted grant programs authorized 
by the act. However, grants for the prevention of sexual abuse and 
exploitation of runaway, homeless, and street youth are kept separate.
  Assistance for runaway and homeless youth will be improved with the 
elimination of fragmented services and funding. Under this legislation, 
grantees will be able to provide a variety of services, but they must 
supply short term shelter, long term residential services, or both. At 
least 20 percent of the funding will be set aside at the national level 
to ensure that the critical, and often costly, transitional living 
services for older homeless youth are continued. In addition, either 
through referrals or on-site programs, to address the drug abuse and 
alcoholism that plague many of the young people who come to them for 
help.
   Mr. Speaker, this legislation goes a long way toward addressing the 
multifaceted issues that runaway, thrownaway, and homeless youth face. 
I am honored to be its sponsor.

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