The Basic Center Program (BCP), administered by the Administration for Children & Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a discretionary grant initiative aimed at providing immediate and essential services to runaway and homeless youth. The program focuses on youth under the age of 18 who have left home without permission, been forced out, or are otherwise homeless and at risk of entering the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, or law enforcement systems. The program emphasizes community-based approaches to deliver temporary shelter, counseling, and other support services in a safe environment.

BCP grants are designed to help youth in crisis by providing up to 21 days of emergency shelter, along with food, clothing, counseling, and healthcare referrals. Additional services may include drug abuse education and prevention, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (upon request by youth), street-based outreach, and home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation. A central goal of the program is to reunite youth with their families whenever possible or to assist in finding appropriate alternative placements.

The funding opportunity is expected to provide an estimated total of $16,873,000 in FY 2025, with an anticipated 67 awards. The award amounts will range from $50,000 to $250,000. The estimated posting date for the grant application is February 28, 2025, with a submission deadline of May 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Award announcements are anticipated by August 29, 2025, which is also the estimated project start date. Cost sharing or matching is required for this grant opportunity.

Eligible applicants include public agencies, non-profit private organizations, and coordinated networks thereof. Applicants must demonstrate experience providing services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. While private institutions of higher education are eligible, they must operate as non-profit entities. For-profit organizations, individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements and are assured of equal consideration under 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb.

Applications will be evaluated based on merit criteria that typically include experience, capacity, approach to service delivery, alignment with BCP objectives, and demonstrated impact in serving at-risk youth. Interested applicants should prepare to submit electronically through Grants.gov. The archive date for this funding forecast is March 28, 2025.

For more information, applicants may contact Gloria Watkins at 202-205-9546 or via email at Gloria.Watkins@acf.hhs.gov.