34 U.S.C. § 11211: Authority to make grants

The Secretary shall make grants to public and 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. shall be provided as an alternative to involving runaway and homeless youth in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems; safe and appropriate shelter provided for not to exceed 21 days; and individual, family, and group counseling, as appropriate; and street-based services; home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation from the family; drug abuse education and prevention services; and at the request of runaway and homeless youth, testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Subject to paragraph (2) and in accordance with regulations promulgated under this subchapter, funds for grants under subsection (a) 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. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to each State for a fiscal year shall be not less than $200,000, 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 $70,000 each. For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year shall be not less than the amount allotted under paragraph (1) with respect to such State for fiscal year 2008. Whenever the Secretary determines that any part of the amount allotted under paragraph (1) to a State for a fiscal year will not be obligated before the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot such part to the remaining States for obligation for the fiscal year. In selecting among applicants for grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to private entities that have experience in providing the services described in such subsection.