Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY)

Learn About RHY

Every year, countless young people in Tompkins County face homelessness, are forced to leave their homes, or run away. These challenges impact not only urban areas but also suburban and rural communities. Many youths in these situations are seeking refuge from abuse, neglect, or family conflict.

Adolescents experiencing homelessness are still in critical stages of physical and emotional development. Without stable housing, they are at greater risk of not completing their education, struggling to build life skills, and facing barriers to employment. On the streets, they are more likely to encounter violence, battle mental health issues, use substances, or engage in survival behaviors like trading sex for basic necessities.

The efforts led by TCYSD to address the needs of runaway and homeless youth are guided by these core principles:

  • Supporting runaway and homeless youth is central to TCYSD’s commitment to ensuring the safety, stability, and overall well-being of young people, families, and communities throughout Tompkins County.
  • Youth who experience housing instability are among the most vulnerable, often having endured multiple traumas. They deserve holistic, individualized services that address their unique needs.
  • Housing instability can affect anyone. Effective programs and policies are inclusive of all young people, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other experiences.  

Definition of Homeless Youth

OCFS:

Student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including a student who is sharing the housing of other persons due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; abandoned in hospitals; or a migratory child, as defined in subsection 2 of section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, who qualifies as homeless under any of the above provisions; or has a primary nighttime location that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations including, but not limited to, shelters operated or approved by the State or local department of social services, and residential programs for runaway and homeless youth established pursuant to article 19H of the executive law or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus, train stations, or similar setting. Homeless students do not include children in foster care placements or who are receiving educational services pursuant to subdivision four, five, six, six-a, or seven of Education Law §3202 or pursuant to article 81, 85, 87, or 88 of Education Law.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance:

A homeless person is defined as an un-domiciled person (whether alone or as a member of a family) who is unable to secure permanent and stable housing without special assistance, as determined by the Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Housing and Urban Development:

Category 1 Literal Homelessness Individuals and families who live in a place not meant for human habitation (including the streets or in their car), emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotels paid for by a government or charitable organization.

Category 2 Imminent Risk of Homelessness Individuals or families who will lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days and has no other resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

Category 3 Homeless Under Other Statutes Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not meet any of the other categories but are homeless under other federal statutes, have not had a lease and have moved 2 or more times in the past 60 days and are likely to remain unstable because of special needs or barriers.

Category 4 Fleeing Domestic Violence Individuals or families who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and who lack resources and support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

 

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created YHDP to reduce youth homelessness. YHDP aims to assist selected communities—rural, suburban, and urban—across the United States in developing and implementing a coordinated approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. HUD is also dedicated to sharing insights from YHDP communities and encouraging nationwide collaboration toward this goal. 

In 2019, YHDP awarded Tompkins County $2.0 million to support its efforts.

To view the Ithaca/Tompkins Coordinated Community Plan 2022

Click Here

 

McKinney-Vento Rights

McKinney-Vento rights are the rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness to receive a free public education. 

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed in 1987 and most recently reauthorized in 2015 that guarantees these rights:

  • Immediate enrollment: Students can enroll in school immediately, even if they don't have all the required documents 
  • Transportation: Students can receive transportation to and from school 
  • School of origin: Students can attend their school of origin or the local school 
  • Comparable services: Students receive the same educational services as other students 
  • No segregation: Students can attend school with other students, and segregation based on homelessness is prohibited 
  • Removal of barriers: States and school districts must remove barriers to enrollment and school success 

To view the McKinney-Vento Act: Homeless Education Fact Sheet

Click Here

Agencies

Support Services in Tompkins County

Below is a list of agencies within Tompkins County that offer services for individuals looking for help with housing, mental health support, food security, legal advice, or other supports.

Under 18 Years of Age

The Learning Web

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Youth Outreach staff assist young people facing housing instability by connecting them to vital resources like the Housing Scholarship Program and the Tompkins Community Homeless Housing Wait List. Their drop-in center at 320 W Buffalo St, Ithaca, NY, offers a safe space with free meals, hygiene products, Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, and more.

Open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, it provides essential support for youth in need—contact the Learning Web for more information.

Call

Open Doors

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The Open Doors initiative by Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca supports young people in Tompkins County (up to age 21) facing homelessness or housing insecurity. It offers confidential, trauma-sensitive services to ensure safety and well-being for youth and their families.

To refer someone or seek assistance, call or text the Open Doors warmline.

Warmline

 

Village at Ithaca

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The Village supports students and families through advocacy, mediation, and assistance in overcoming barriers to school engagement, such as transportation and technology. It facilitates meetings with students, families, and school personnel to develop success plans while ensuring regulatory compliance.

For more information contact Youth and Family Advocacy Programming

Call or Email

 

18 - 24 Years of Age

Below is a list of local agencies that offer a range of services and resources to support individuals and families in need. These organizations provide essential assistance in areas such as housing, food security, legal aid, workforce development, and crisis intervention.

*Not intended to be a comprehensive list. For a full listing dial 211

For more information on each service, please reach out directly to the organizations listed.

 

Open Doors 
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The Open Doors initiative by Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca supports young people in Tompkins County (up to age 21) facing homelessness or housing insecurity. It offers confidential, trauma-sensitive services to ensure safety and well-being for youth and their families.

To refer someone or seek assistance, call or text the Open Doors warmline.

Warmline

 

The Learning Web

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Youth Outreach staff assist young people facing housing instability by connecting them to vital resources like the Housing Scholarship Program and the Tompkins Community Homeless Housing Wait List. Their drop-in center at 320 W Buffalo St, Ithaca, NY, offers a safe space with free meals, hygiene products, Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, and more.

Open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, it provides essential support for youth in need—contact the Learning Web for more information.

Call

Village at Ithaca
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The Village supports students and families through advocacy, mediation, and assistance in overcoming barriers to school engagement, such as transportation and technology. It facilitates meetings with students, families, and school personnel to develop success plans while ensuring regulatory compliance.

For more information contact Youth and Family Advocacy Programming

Call or Email

Catholic Charities
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Catholic Charities of Tompkins County provides compassionate support to individuals and families in need, offering services such as emergency assistance, housing support, and immigrant services. Committed to promoting dignity and stability, they help address financial hardships, food insecurity, and other critical needs.

For assistance or to learn more, contact Catholic Charities of Tompkins County.

Call

Tompkins Community Action

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Tompkins Community Action empowers individuals and families by providing essential services such as housing assistance, early childhood education, and energy conservation programs. Dedicated to reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency, they offer support for basic needs, financial stability, and community development.

For assistance or to learn more, contact Tompkins Community Action.

Call

DSS Emergency Assistance 

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The Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) Emergency Services provides immediate support to individuals and families facing urgent situations, including emergency housing, food assistance, and crisis intervention. They offer resources for those in need of temporary relief, helping to stabilize situations and connect clients with ongoing services.

For assistance, contact DSS Tompkins County Emergency Services.

Call

Workforce

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Workforce Ithaca empowers job seekers by providing career development resources, job training, and employment support. Their programs help individuals build skills, connect with local employers, and overcome barriers to securing stable work.

For more information or to access their services, contact Workforce Ithaca.

Call

LawNY Ithaca

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LawNY Ithaca provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families, assisting with issues such as housing, public benefits, employment, and family law. Committed to justice and advocacy, they help clients navigate legal challenges and access the resources they need.

For legal assistance or more information, contact LawNY Ithaca.

Call

OAR

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Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR) supports individuals impacted by the criminal justice system through advocacy, reentry services, and alternatives to incarceration. They provide resources such as housing assistance, employment support, and court navigation to promote successful reintegration and reduce recidivism.

For more information or assistance, contact OAR of Tompkins County.

Call

Human Service Coalition

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The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County strengthens the community by connecting individuals to vital resources, supporting local nonprofits, and advocating for systemic change. They provide health and human service referrals, nonprofit capacity-building programs, and community collaboration initiatives.

For more information or assistance, contact the Human Services Coalition.

Call

The Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army of Ithaca provides essential support to individuals and families in need, offering services such as food assistance, emergency shelter, and financial aid. Committed to uplifting the community, they also run programs focused on housing stability, youth development, and crisis intervention.

For assistance or to learn more about their programs, contact The Salvation Army of Ithaca.

Call

 Advocacy Center
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The Tompkins County Advocacy Center provides free and confidential support to individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse. They offer crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, and assistance with safety planning. Committed to empowering survivors, the center works to promote healing and prevent future violence through education and community outreach.

For support or more information, contact the Tompkins County Advocacy Center.

Call

Youth Opportunity Map

Workforce Development, in partnership with the Youth Employment Resource Team (YERT), has created the Youth Opportunity Map—a valuable tool designed to help young people in Tompkins County connect with the services they need.

The map highlights a variety of resources available to youth, including locations offering job training, educational support, housing assistance, health services, mental health care, and more. Whether you're searching for employment opportunities, guidance on career development, or access to essential services, the Youth Opportunity Map makes it easy to find the support you need in your area.

  

Other Resources

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The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County (MHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting mental health and well-being in the community. They provide a variety of services, including mental health counseling, crisis intervention, peer support, and educational programs. MHA also works to reduce stigma around mental illness and advocates for better mental health resources. Through these services, they aim to empower individuals to live healthier, more fulfilling lives while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

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Tompkins County Whole Health provides a range of integrated health services aimed at promoting the overall well-being of individuals in the community. They offer primary care, mental health support, and addiction services, focusing on a holistic approach to healthcare. The organization also provides support for chronic disease management, behavioral health counseling, and preventive care. Their goal is to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to comprehensive and compassionate care.

   

 

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please dial 911 or 988 for immediate assistance.