FY 2026 Basic Center Program

The Basic Center Program (BCP) provides temporary, emergency shelter; and counseling services to youth who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians, have been forced to leave home, or other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in the law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems. BCPs work to establish or strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. BCPs provide youth under 18 years of age with food, clothing, counseling and referrals for health care. BCPs can provide up to 21 days of shelter for youth and seeks to reunite young people with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate alternative placements. Eligible applicants include public and non-profit private agencies and coordinated networks of such entities. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. In selecting applicants to receive grants under this funding announcement, priority will be given to public and non-profit, private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity. Gloria WatkinsGloria.Watkins@acf.hhs.gov Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.