WASHINGTON – Social service agencies in Bangor, Houlton and Hinckley will receive a total of $594,514 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Transitional Living Program. The funding will help homeless youths between the ages of 16 and 21 to make a successful transition to self-sufficient living and avoid long-term dependency on social services.

“Transitional Living Program facilities provide safe havens for homeless young people throughout the nation who are unable to return to their families due to neglect or abusive situations,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement announcing the funding.

Transitional Living Program facilities provide long-term, supportive assistance that emergency shelter programs are not designed to provide. Agencies receiving Transitional Living Program funding provide homeless youths with a safe and supportive living environment through group homes, host family homes or supervised apartment living. These organizations also offer basic living skills education, employment preparation and job placement services, mental and physical health care, and education advancement. In addition, Transitional Living Programs assist clients with the development of an individual transitional plan. These supervised living environments house homeless youths for about 18 months.

Awarded were:

. Community Health and Counseling Service, Bangor, $100,000.

. Good Will Home Association, Hinckley, $194,514.

. MAPS, Houlton, $200,000.