(a) Grants for centers and services
(1) In general The Secretary shall make grants to public and
nonprofit">
nonprofit private entities (and combinations of such entities) to establish and operate (including renovation) local centers to provide services for runaway and homeless youth and for the families of such youth.
(2) Services provided Services provided under paragraph (1)
(A) shall be provided as an alternative to involving runaway and homeless youth in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems;
(B) shall include
(i) safe and appropriate shelter; and
(ii) individual, family, and group counseling, as appropriate; and
(C) may include
(i) street-based services;
(ii) home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation from the family;
(iii) drug abuse education and prevention services; and
(iv) at the request of runaway and homeless youth, testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
(b) Allotment of funds for grants; priority given to certain private entities
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and in accordance with regulations promulgated under this subchapter, funds for grants under subsection (a) of this section shall be allotted annually with respect to the States on the basis of their relative population of individuals who are less than 18 years of age.
(2) The amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to each State for a fiscal year shall be not less than $100,000, except that the amount allotted to the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be not less than $45,000 each.
(3) In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall give priority to private entities that have experience in providing the services described in such subsection.
