| 27 | 27 | | |
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| 28 | 28 | | (1) A public outreach and drop-in component that provides youth drop-in centers with walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services, including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis and public outreach that locates, contacts and provides information, referrals and services to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. Such component may include, but need not be limited to, information, referrals and services for (A) family reunification services, conflict resolution or mediation counseling; (B) respite housing, case management aimed at obtaining food, clothing, medical care or mental health counseling, counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy, and referrals to agencies that provide support services to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness; (C) education, employment and independent living skills; (D) aftercare services; and (E) specialized services for highly vulnerable homeless youth, including teen parents, sexually exploited youth and youth with mental illness or developmental disabilities; |
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| 29 | 29 | | |
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| 30 | 30 | | (2) A respite housing component that provides homeless youth with referrals and walk-in access to respite care on an emergency basis that includes voluntary housing, with private shower facilities, beds and at least one meal each day, and assistance with reunification with family or a legal guardian when required or appropriate. Services provided at respite housing may include, but need not be limited to, (A) family reunification services or referral to safe housing; (B) individual, family and group counseling; (C) assistance in obtaining clothing; (D) access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling; (E) education and employment services; (F) recreational activities; (G) case management, advocacy and referral services; (H) independent living skills training; and (I) aftercare services and transportation; and |
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| 31 | 31 | | |
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| 32 | 32 | | (3) A transitional living component that (A) assists homeless youth in finding and maintaining safe housing, and (B) includes rental assistance and related supportive services. Such component may include, but need not be limited to, (i) educational assessment and referral to educational programs; (ii) career planning, employment, job skills training and independent living skills training; (iii) job placement; (iv) budgeting and money management; (v) assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income; (vi) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment; and (vii) parenting skills, self-sufficiency support services or life skills training and aftercare services. |
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| 33 | 33 | | |
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| 34 | | - | (c) On or before February 1, [2012] 2018, and annually thereafter, the [Commissioner of Children and Families] Commissioners of Housing and Children and Families shall submit a report regarding the program established under subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing [committee] committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing and children. The report shall include recommendations for any changes to the program to ensure that the best available services are being delivered to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. The report shall include key outcome indicators and measures and shall set benchmarks for evaluating progress in accomplishing the purposes of subsection (b) of this section. |
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| 34 | + | (c) On or before February 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of [Children and Families] Housing shall submit a report regarding the program established under subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to [children] housing. The report shall include recommendations for any changes to the program to ensure that the best available services are being delivered to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. The report shall include key outcome indicators and measures and shall set benchmarks for evaluating progress in accomplishing the purposes of subsection (b) of this section. |
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| 37 | 37 | | |
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| 38 | 38 | | (a) There shall be a Department of Housing, which shall be within the Department of Economic and Community Development for administrative purposes only, which shall be the lead agency for all matters relating to housing. The department head shall be the Commissioner of Housing, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, with the powers and duties therein prescribed. Said commissioner shall be responsible at the state level for all aspects of policy, development, redevelopment, preservation, maintenance and improvement of housing and neighborhoods. Said commissioner shall be responsible for developing strategies to encourage the provision of housing in the state, including housing for very low, low and moderate income families. |
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| 39 | 39 | | |
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| 40 | 40 | | (b) The Department of Housing shall constitute a successor to the functions, powers and duties of the Department of Economic Development relating to housing, community development, redevelopment and urban renewal as set forth in chapters 128, 129, 130, 135 and 136 in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. The Department of Housing is designated a public housing agency for the purpose of administering the Section 8 existing certificate program and the housing voucher program pursuant to the Housing Act of 1937. |
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| 41 | 41 | | |
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| 42 | 42 | | (c) The commissioner shall, in consultation with the interagency council on affordable housing established pursuant to section 8-37nnn, review the organization and delivery of state housing programs and submit a report with recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, not later than January 15, 2013, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing and appropriations. |
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| 43 | 43 | | |
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| 44 | 44 | | (d) Any order or regulation of the Department of Housing or Department of Economic and Community Development that is in force on January 1, 2013, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law. |
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| 45 | 45 | | |
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