Runaway and Homeless Youth Services (RHY)

Runaway and Homeless Youth Services (RHY)

Cunningham stands out as a behavioral health care provider because of our specialized expertise in "trauma-informed care." Trauma-informed interventions recognize the significant impact that early trauma and stress can have on brain development and emotional health. Its therapeutic goal is to prevent re-traumatization and "rewire" the brain by creating a safe, comfortable and consistent environment where youth and young adults can build on their strengths, learn positive coping and self-regulation skills, achieve realistic academic goals, and develop the life skills necessary to be successful in the larger community.

Our expansion in community services includes the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program. The state grant for RHY began full implementation on October 1, 2019.

Emergency Shelter

Our Emergency Shelter serves individuals, ages 14 up to 21. The purpose of our Emergency Shelter is to provide safe,stable and temporary housing.
 

Services Include:

  • Temporary shelter for non DCFS individuals
  • 24-hour professionally supervised shelter services in a home-like environment with a structured program schedule
  • Life skills instruction
  • Education advocacy
  • Recreational activities
  • Case management services

Street Outreach

Serves Champaign County individuals ages 14 up to 24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including individuals who are pregnant or parenting. The program strives to ensure a safe, stable living arrangement. These services focus on urgent needs such as shelter, food, education, benefits and support services.

Services Include:

  • Street outreach
  • Community outreach
  • Assistance with establishing safe,  appropriate housing
  • Education regarding community resources
  • Referral and linkage to necessary  services and resources
  • Life skills instruction
  • Case management services

Intermediate Transitional Living Program (TLP)

Serves Champaign County individuals ages 18 up to 24 years of age who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These services focus on the development and lifelong skills that produce sustainable housing, employment, relationships, and linkages to community resources.

Services Include:

  • Assistance with establishing and   maintaining safe, appropriate housing
  • Development of career and job skills
  • Development of interpersonal and  life skills
  • Life skills instruction
  • Education advocacy
  • Recreational activities
  • Referral and linkage to necessary  services and resources
  • Case management services

Individuals must complete a RHY Program application to be considered for these services. To determine eligibility, call landline: (217) 359-1241 OR call or text cell: (217) 841-8128.

Referrals

Referrals (non DCFS) may be initiated by self, family members, friends, service providers, or other organizations in Champaign County.

CALL:

Landline: (217) 359-1241

CALL OR TEXT:

Cell Phone: (217) 841-8128

PDF of RHY Brochure