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NYS Guidance for RHY Programs Regarding COVID-19
- Governor's Executive Orders End: Expiration of Background Check Guidance for RHY Detention Providers (6/24/2021)
Youth Shelter Updates Word | Youth Shelter Updates PDF - Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Persons Age 12 to 17 (5/13/2021)
- Health Advisory: Quarantine for Residents of Non-Healthcare Congregate Settings Exposed to Covid-19 (5/14/2021)
- Revised Guidance on COVID-19 Protocols for Direct Care Staff Return to Work (Revised 12/29/2021)
- OCFS-5465 - Notification and Attestation: Direct Care Staff Return to Work During Quarantine
- Training Hours and COVID (6/2/20)
- Guidance: Use of N95 and Cloth Masks in the Workplace (4/8/20)
- Guidance on Regulatory Relief for COVID-19 (RHY) (3/20/20)
Temporary Variance Request Form - Guidance on Tracking Fiscal Impact of COVID-19 (3/20/20)
- OMH Supplemental Guidance – Use of Telehealth for Residential Services (3/19/20)
- OMH Supplemental Guidance – Use of Telehealth for OMH-funded programs (3/19/20)
- Temporary Visitor Restrictions Within Residential Treatment Centers and Congregate Care Settings (3/17/20)
OCFS is committed to supporting high-quality supports and services for runaway and homeless young people that are grounded in Positive Youth Development principles.
Each year, thousands of New York's youth run away from home, are told to leave their homes, or experience homelessness. Youth face these challenges not just in cities, but in suburban and rural communities as well. Often, youth are trying to escape abuse, neglect, or conflict in their homes.
Youth are still developing physically and emotionally and, when they experience homelessness, are less likely to complete their education, develop general life skills, and obtain employment. On the street, youth can become victims of violence, struggle with mental health challenges, engage in substance use, and be forced to trade sex for basic needs.
OCFS supports these young people by licensing, monitoring, and funding emergency and longer-term residential programs, as well as non-residential services to provide a safe and supportive environment.
RHY services are grounded in the Positive Youth Development framework. They focus on supporting and developing healthy relationships to enhance youths’ existing strengths and resiliency, while incorporating youth voice and leadership in programming. Programs recognize that youth are the experts in their own lives and support them to make choices that improve their safety and personal development.
The RHY work supported by OCFS is grounded in the following values and principles:
- Providing services to runaway and homeless youth and young adults is part of OCFS's mission to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of New York's children, families, and communities.
- Youth who have experienced housing instability are especially vulnerable to many other experiences, and have often experienced multiple traumas. They deserve comprehensive services that are responsive to their individualized needs.
- Because housing instability can impact anyone, programs and policies are most responsive when they are inclusive of all youth, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identify, sexual orientation, or other experience.
To learn more about how OCFS works to support youth who left home or are homeless, use the menu on the left.