Federal Funding Update – Latest Deal Includes Funding for RHY

Welcome back to the seventh installment of Youth Collaboratory's Government Relations blog series. Today, we’ll be discussing a proposed compromise between the House and Senate to provide the bulk of federal funding for Fiscal Year 2019. To learn more about Youth Collaboratory's Government Relations work, click here.

On Friday, September 14, Congress released a proposed compromise between the House and Senate to provide the bulk of federal funding for Fiscal Year 2019.  The deal, referred to as “Minibus #2”, allocates appropriations for the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Within this massive spending package, Congress has recommended $127 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs at the Administration for Children and Families.  This would represent level funding for RHY in comparison to FY18. The final recommendation of $127 million is $6 million above the House’s recommended funding and $8 million greater than the Administration’s request. Furthermore, the Minibus #2 contains a “Continuing Resolution” to fund portions of the federal government through December 7, likely avoiding a government shutdown prior to the November elections. It is expected that the Senate may vote on this compromise package during the week of September 17.  The House will likely vote the week of September 24.  The proposed funding bill is not law until it has passed both chambers and is signed by the President. Final appropriations for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Projects (YHDP) within HUD will likely be included in “Minibus #3” to be released in the coming days.  Funding for the Youth Mentoring Grants (YMG) program will likely be included as part of the Continuing Resolution and will not be concluded until early December.