National Network for Youth (NN4Y) was founded in 1974 as the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services (NNRYS), as a membership association of community-based organizations that aimed to focus on the needs of youth in runaway and homeless situations. Today, NN4Y represents more than 500 community-based organizations s in the United States and territories.^[1] NN4Y members work with their neighborhood youth, adults, associations, and regional and state networks of youth workers to provide street-based services, emergency shelter, transitional living programs, counseling, and social, health, educational and job-related services to over 2.5 million youth each year.

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Many members of the NN4Y receive funding through the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974.^[2] Funds and practices from the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act,^[3] the McKinney-Vento Act on homelessness,^[4] and the Workforce Investment Act^[5] also assist local program operators in leveraging state, local and private funding. NN4Y was the architect of the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA). Additionally, NN4Y works with Learn & Serve America to engage young people volunteer projects in their communities.

National Network for Youth has five focus areas: public policy, professional development, program dissemination, development and publication of training and information materials, and Symposium.

• Public Policy: This includes education, networking, training, and policy work to connect with federal, state, and local lawmakers. NN4Y advocates for youth policy and protects legislation and spending affecting youth; provides testimony at governmental hearings; works in coalition with other national youth and homelessness organizations; distributes information to state, local and national policy makers.
• Professional development: NN4Y provides training through workshops and conferences. NN4Y works with community-based organizations, schools, state agencies and in state and local health departments and clinics. Training includes HIV prevention, adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, youth development, and sexual minority youth.
• Program Dissemination: NN4Y distributes information about prevention programs to reduce health risk-taking behaviors to community-based and youth organizations, health educators, and state and local health education agencies.
• Materials Development & Publication: NN4Y publishes training materials, newsletters, and other resources for youth advocates.
• Symposium: NN4Y hosts an annual conference in Washington, D.C., for youth workers, young people, decision makers and local, state, and national leaders.

• Timeline of children's rights in the United States
• History of youth rights in the United States