This Congressional Research Service report focuses on the federal response to support runaway and homeless youth, specifically through the Runaway Youth Act of 1974, the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, and the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act. Beginning by identifying the population of runaway and homeless youth, this paper outlines the evolution of federal policy in this area, the three major components of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, the national communication system, and other federal supports.