To foster health and well-being by providing federal leadership, partnership and resources for the compassionate and effective delivery of human services
The Basic Center Program (BCP) aims at delivering temporary shelter and counseling services to homeless youth, including those who have left home without parental or guardian permission, have been forced to leave home, or are at risk of falling into the law enforcement or child welfare systems. The program focuses on establishing or enhancing community-based programs to address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Services provided by BCP award recipients include emergency shelter (up to 21 days), food, clothing, counseling, health care referrals, street-based services, home-based services for at-risk families, drug abuse education and prevention, and sexually transmitted diseases testing upon request. The ultimate goal is to reunite youth with their families or find suitable alternative placements.