DE HB389

Requires the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness, working with the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families, to submit an annual report starting April 1, 2013 on runaway and homeless youth programs and needs

Mandates the report identify and assess street outreach programs, drop-in centers, emergency shelters, and transitional living programs serving runaway and homeless youth

Report must include data on the number of runaway and unaccompanied homeless youth in Delaware and assess programmatic needs for this at-risk population

Findings cite approximately 1.3 million homeless youth nationally, with 5,000 unaccompanied youth dying annually from assault, illness, or suicide

Addresses that youth ages 12-17 face higher homelessness risk than adults, with 75% of runaways being female and 75% of homeless/runaway youth dropping out of school