(1) The Department of Human Services is responsible for coordinating statewide planning for delivery of services to runaway and homeless youth and their families.

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(2) The department shall recommend policies that integrate a system of services and support for runaway and homeless youth into the state’s continuum of care for children who are 0 through 17 years of age. The department shall recommend policies for a system of services and support for youth who are 18 through 20 years of age and who continue to be or who become homeless.

(3) The department may work with the Youth Development Division, the Employment Department, the Housing and Community Services Department, the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, the Department of Education and the Oregon Youth Authority to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach for services and support for runaway and homeless youth and their families, including youth who are 18 through 20 years of age and who continue to be or who become homeless.

(4) In addition to the entities listed in subsection (3) of this section, the department shall include representatives of youth, nonprofit organizations and statewide coalitions related to runaway and homeless youth services and supports, including services and supports for youth who are 18 through 20 years of age and who continue to be or who become homeless, in the joint process described in subsection (3) of this section.

(5) The department may enter into and renew contracts with providers for the provision of services to runaway and homeless youth and their families, including services to youth who are 18 through 20 years of age and who continue to be or who become homeless.

(6) The department shall appoint an advisory committee to advise the department with respect to policies and procedures to coordinate statewide planning for delivery of services to runaway and homeless youth and their families. The advisory committee shall meet with and advise the department on a regular basis, provide the department with information regarding the status of existing services and make recommendations for improvements and additional services. The department shall include as members of the advisory committee stakeholders with expertise in housing, mental health and addictions, sex trafficking, child welfare and law enforcement.

(7) The department shall report annually on or before September 15 of each year to the interim legislative committees on child welfare regarding the status of the system of services and support for runaway and homeless youth developed by the department, and the advice and information provided by the advisory committee appointed by the department, pursuant to this section. [2005 c.495 § 2; 2011 c.678 § 2; 2012 c.37 § 109; 2013 c.249 1,2; 2013 c.623 § 11; 2015 c.153 § 1; 2015 c.366 § 88]