(b) Selection factors; special consideration In selecting among applications for grants under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to proposed projects relating to
(1) youth who repeatedly leave and remain away from their homes;
(2) transportation of runaway youth and homeless youth in connection with services authorized to be provided under this subchapter;
(3) the special needs of runaway youth and homeless youth programs in rural areas;
(4) the special needs of programs that place runaway youth and homeless youth in host family homes;
(5) staff training in
(A) the behavioral and emotional effects of sexual abuse and assault;
(B) responding to youth who are showing effects of sexual abuse and assault; and
(C) agency-wide strategies for working with runaway and homeless youth who have been sexually victimized;
(6) innovative methods of developing resources that enhance the establishment or operation of runaway and homeless youth centers;
(7) training for runaway youth and homeless youth, and staff training, related to preventing and obtaining treatment for infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);
(8) increasing access to health care (including mental health care) for runaway youth and homeless youth; and
(9) increasing access to education for runaway youth and homeless youth.
