California Expands Short-Term Shelter Services For Older Youth

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is expanding the services offered by its short-term shelters for older youth in an effort to prevent homelessness. Legislation signed on September 27, 2019, Assembly Bill (AB) 1235, has three provisions to change the California Community Care Facilities Act. Facilities currently called “runaway and homeless youth shelters” will be renamed “youth homelessness prevention centers.” It expands the categories of youth who can be served at the centers to include those at risk of homelessness. The bill expands the number of nights youth can stay at these facilities from 21 to 90 consecutive . . .