National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program
🏛 Administration for Children & Families - ACYF/FYSB (HHS-ACF-FYSB)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations supporting runaway and homeless youth through the National Communication System, which provides coordinated services to help youth in crisis. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, tribal organizations, and community-based service providers with demonstrated experience serving runaway and homeless youth populations. The program supports activities including crisis hotline operations, outreach, referral services, and coordination with shelter and other support services. Geographic scope is national, and applicants must show capacity to operate communication systems (such as 24/7 hotlines or text-based crisis services) and coordinate effectively with the national network of youth services providers.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Key dates
- Apr 27, 2026 Applications open
- Aug 3, 2026 Application deadline in 17 days
- Aug 28, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2026 Project start
Program description
The Division of Runaway and Homeless Youth will award one cooperative agreement on a competitive basis for a period of three years to operate the National Communication System (NCS) for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. The NCS is a dedicated toll-free, US national communication system that provides information, referral services, crisis intervention, prevention approaches, and other supportive services to vulnerable, at-risk, and runaway and homeless youth, and their families or legal guardians. The purpose of the NCS is to a) prevent youth from running away and becoming homeless, b) link youth with a family member or guardian, and/or an available resource that can provide and/or assist the youth in acquiring needed services, and c) increase prevention education to reduce runaway incidents and youth homelessness.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Standard SF-424 federal application forms and SF-424 Supp (Supplemental)
- Project narrative describing communication system operations, services, and coordination approach (typically 10-15 pages)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative justifying all costs
- Organizational capacity documentation including resumes of key staff, organizational structure, and evidence of prior experience serving runaway and homeless youth
- Letters of commitment/partnership agreements from shelter providers, social service agencies, and other organizations in the referral network
- Evaluation plan describing how outcomes will be measured and tracked
- Documentation of fiscal management capacity and compliance with federal requirements
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Tim D. Joyce
- 📧 timothy.joyce@acf.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 401-3438
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.623 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$7,500,000
-
$6,949,999
-
$5,449,999
-
$5,400,000
-
$1,087,796
-
$1,050,000
-
$1,050,000
-
$1,050,000
-
$1,050,000
-
$1,050,000
Top States by Funding
- PA 5 awards $16.8M
- IL 4 awards $12.1M
- CA 10 awards $6.9M
- FL 8 awards $6.0M
- TX 7 awards $5.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.623). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $61,746,841 | |
| 2025 | $67,804,753 | |
| 2026 est. | $71,611,662 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state/local government agencies, tribal organizations, and established community-based service providers with experience serving runaway and homeless youth.
What activities does this grant support?
The program funds crisis communication systems including hotlines, text-based services, outreach operations, crisis intervention, referral services, and coordination with shelter and support networks.
Is there a deadline?
The specific deadline date has not been announced. Applications will be accepted beginning April 27, 2026. Monitor the HHS grants portal and FYSB announcements for exact deadline information.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applicants demonstrate documented experience serving runaway and homeless youth, operational capacity for 24/7 communication systems, established partnerships with shelter and service providers, and clear metrics for measuring youth outcomes and service utilization.
What is the typical funding range?
Specific funding levels vary by competition year and available appropriations. Contact the FYSB office directly or check HHS-ACF website for anticipated award amounts for the 2026 cycle.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's existing infrastructure for operating crisis communication systems and demonstrated ability to provide immediate response to youth in crisis situations.
- Build your application around strong partnerships with local shelter providers, youth services organizations, and other runaway and homeless youth service networks that will enable effective referrals and coordinated care.
- Include detailed data on the volume of youth contacted, demographics served, and outcomes achieved (housing placement, family reunification, connection to services) from your current or past operations.
- Address how your communication system reaches the most vulnerable youth populations, including those experiencing trafficking, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth in rural areas.
- Develop a realistic budget that accounts for 24/7 staffing, technology infrastructure, training, and evaluation while clearly linking costs to proposed activities and expected outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often underestimate the operational demands of running a 24/7 communication system and fail to provide realistic staffing and technology budgets. Many applications lack sufficient documentation of existing partnerships or clear pathways for connecting youth with follow-up services, which is critical given this program's role as a gateway to the broader youth services network. Weak evaluation plans that don't measure actual youth outcomes or demonstrate impact on the target population frequently weaken competitive applications.
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