Section 409.280  Shelter and Housing Services

a)         Shelter or housing shall be available every day of the year to homeless youth who have been partially emancipated.

b)         The YTHP may consist of providing shelter or housing, and services to homeless youth who are at least 16 but less than 18 years of age and have been partially emancipated under the Emancipation of Minors Act.  No person 21 years of age or older, other than staff, shall be permitted in the sleeping area portion of the YTHP.

c)         Service referrals may include, but are not limited to:

1)         Contract with providers of youth services;

2)         Assistance to the youth to be independent and self-reliant.

d)         In the event that a youth is seriously ill or otherwise unable to take care of himself/herself away from the shelter or housing during the hours that it is not normally open, the YTHP shall have procedures in place to provide for adequate care and supervision of the homeless youth until appropriate care can be found.

e)         Shelter or housing may be suspended for up to 72 hours for the homeless youth's failure to follow policies of the YTHP. The agency shall find a safe place for the homeless youth to stay during the suspension before the suspension can take place.

f)         The YTHP shall have a written policy in place that enumerates the situations in which a homeless youth may be suspended or terminated from shelter or housing.  The policy shall be approved by the Department and accessible to residents and shall be reviewed with homeless youth upon their first admission.

g)         The agency or organization may discharge from the YTHP any homeless youth who, after attempts have been made to meet the homeless youth's individual needs, demonstrates the inability to benefit from the type of shelter or housing offered by the YTHP, or whose presence is detrimental to the group. When applicable, the agency or organization shall notify the court that granted partial emancipation to the homeless youth of this action.

h)         In all instances, when the YTHP determines that its facility is no longer appropriate for the homeless youth or that another program is more appropriate for the homeless youth, the YTHP shall work to meet the homeless youth's needs when he or she leaves the shelter or housing, including referrals to other institutions, agencies or facilities.