Brighton Center has received a $142,405 grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau to provide Street Outreach services within Northern Kentucky.
Street Outreach will provide aggressive street-based services to runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to or are at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and severe forms of trafficking. This will include outreach, prevention, individualized assessment, service linkages, case planning and follow-up for youth.
The program will be located within Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound Shelter at 13 East 20th Street in Covington.
Covington is the largest urban city in Northern Kentucky (NKY) with the second highest number of homeless youth in the state. The primary population served will include runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual exploitation and or sexual abuse less than 22 years of age in Northern Kentucky.
The ultimate goal is to provide street-based services to runaway, homeless, and street youth, to keep youth safe and help them leave the streets.
Staff will utilize positive youth development and trauma-informed care to help youth consider safe lifestyle options, to obtain a safe and appropriate alternative living arrangement, and make a successful transition to adulthood.
Street outreach will provide support services during the three year project period and will assist 250 youth per year (750 in three years) and inform 1,800 individuals per year (5,400 in three years) about Brighton Center’s comprehensive array of services.
The program will also provide harm reduction services such as survival kits to meet basic needs and services related to education, referrals, case management and shelter for youth to reduce adverse health, social and economic consequences of high-risk behavior.
Youth will receive assistance for drug and alcohol dependency, safety from sexual abuse and/or exploitation, opportunities and support to complete high school or earn a general equivalency diploma, learn job skills, and obtain employment.
Brighton Center is the only agency in Kentucky to receive this highly competitive federal grant.
