Need help right now
If you are in danger, call 911. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988.
Call or text 988 any time. The 988 Lifeline is open all day and night, and talks are free and private.
"The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential." — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, checked October 19, 2026
Kentucky
Kentucky's 988 line is open every hour of every day.
"available every hour of every day" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
Counselors answer calls, chats, and text messages.
"counselors respond to calls, chats or text messages" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
We did not find a separate Kentucky youth crisis line on the state pages we checked. Use 988.
Indiana
In Indiana you can call or text 988, or chat at 988Indiana.org.
"please call or text 9-8-8, or chat at 988Indiana.org" — Indiana FSSA, checked October 19, 2026
We did not find a separate Indiana youth crisis line on the state pages we checked. Use 988.
If someone is hurting you or a child
Kentucky: Report child abuse or neglect in Kentucky, toll-free: 877-597-2331 (877-KYSAFE1)
"To report child abuse and neglect call toll-free any of the numbers listed below. (877) 597-2331/(877) KYSAFE1" — www.chfs.ky.gov, checked October 19, 2026
Indiana: Report child abuse or neglect in Indiana, toll-free: 1-800-800-5556
"Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Call 1-800-800-5556" — www.in.gov, checked October 19, 2026
Anywhere in the U.S.: Teen dating abuse: loveisrespect, call 866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522
"Call 866-331-9474 Chat live now Text LOVEIS to 22522" — www.loveisrespect.org, checked October 19, 2026
If you ran away or have nowhere to sleep
The National Runaway Safeline is 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).
"1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)" — National Runaway Safeline, checked October 19, 2026
Their help for youth in crisis is free and private. You can call, text, chat, or email.
"free, confidential support for youth in crisis through phone, text, chat, and email" — National Runaway Safeline, checked October 19, 2026
The National Runaway Safeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"Hours: 24/7" — National Runaway Safeline, checked October 19, 2026
Text SAFE and your city and state (or ZIP) to 4HELP (44357). They tell you the closest Safe Place.
"Text SAFE and your location (city, state, or ZIP) to 4HELP (44357)." — National Safe Place, checked October 19, 2026
TXT 4 HELP is free and private. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"free, confidential, 24/7 text-for-support service for young people" — National Safe Place, checked October 19, 2026
You do not need an adult with you to use TXT 4 HELP.
"you do not need an adult with you" — National Safe Place, checked October 19, 2026
Help for young people in Kentucky and Indiana
This page is for young people about 12 to 24, and for adults who help them. Pick the part you need. Each fact shows the words of the group that said it and a link to its page.
Information checked from official and organization pages. October 19, 2026. Programs change. Call to ask before you go.
Somewhere safe tonight
Shelters and drop-in help for runaway and homeless youth. We do not list street addresses. Call first.
Kentucky
In Louisville, you can call or text YMCA Safe Place Services at 502-635-5233. It is open 24/7 and private.
"Call or text 502-635-5233 — 24/7, always confidential." — YMCA Safe Place Services (Louisville), checked October 19, 2026
Their Shelter House is short-term crisis housing for teens ages 12 to 17.
"Short-term crisis housing and stabilization for teens ages 12–17." — YMCA Safe Place Services (Louisville), checked October 19, 2026
They say Shelter House is the only youth shelter in Louisville that takes self-referrals and costs nothing.
"only youth shelter in Louisville that accepts self-referrals and provides services at no cost" — YMCA Safe Place Services (Louisville), checked October 19, 2026
In Lexington, Arbor Youth Services runs an emergency shelter for children from birth to age 18. Call to ask how to get in.
"Emergency Shelter for children ages birth to 18 years" — Arbor Youth Services, checked October 19, 2026
Arbor also has supportive housing for youth ages 18 through 24.
"Supportive Housing for youth ages 18 through 24 years" — Arbor Youth Services, checked October 19, 2026
Arbor lists the phone number (859) 254-2501 and says it is always available by phone.
"We're always available by phone" — Arbor Youth Services, checked October 19, 2026
In Northern Kentucky, Brighton Center lists a Homeward Bound Shelter, an Independent Living Program, and Youth Housing. Ages and rules are not on the page we checked.
"Homeward Bound Shelter Independent Living Program Opportunity House Project Safe Place Youth Housing" — Brighton Center, checked October 19, 2026
Brighton Center lists the main phone number (859) 491-8303.
"Brighton Center | A Community of Support (859) 491-8303" — Brighton Center, checked October 19, 2026
We did not find shelter pages for other Kentucky cities. Call the National Runaway Safeline for help near you.
Leaving foster care
Help for young people who are in foster care or were in foster care.
Kentucky
Kentucky's Transitional Services Branch helps young people who were in foster care at age 14 or older.
"supports young people who have been in out-of-home care at age 14 or older" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
These services are for youth still in foster care and for those who have aged out.
"available to both youth currently in foster care and those who have aged out" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
Planning for adult life starts at age 17, and again 90 days before the youth turns 18.
"Formal transition planning starts at age 17 and again 90 days before" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
An older, archived state page says to sign up by contacting the Independent Living Coordinator in your region. Steps may have changed.
"contact the Independent Living Coordinator in your region" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (older page), checked October 19, 2026
KY RISE is a website and phone app with housing, school, and other help for young people in or out of foster care.
"portal and mobile app provide a full array of resources for transition-age youth" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
Voices of the Commonwealth is for young people ages 16 to 23 who are or were in foster care.
"open to youth between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-three (23)" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
Kentucky public colleges may not charge tuition or required fees for some foster or adopted students.
"waived for a Kentucky foster or adopted child who is a full-time or part-time student" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
The waiver covers up to 150 credit hours.
"up to one hundred fifty (150) consecutive or non-consecutive credit hours" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
The Education and Training Voucher can be up to $5,000 a year, or the real cost of school if that is less.
"not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or the actual total cost of attendance" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
It can last up to five years, or until age 26.
"maximum of five (5) years, or until age twenty-six (26)" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
It is for young people who left foster care at age 18 or older, and for some others the state lists.
"or transitioned out of foster care at age eighteen (18) or older" — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, checked October 19, 2026
Kentucky rules cover Medicaid for ages 19 to 26 if you were in foster care and had Medicaid when you aged out.
"between the age of nineteen (19) and twenty-six (26) years" — Kentucky Administrative Regulations, checked October 19, 2026
There is no income limit for this group.
"There shall be no income standard for individuals between the age of nineteen (19)" — Kentucky Administrative Regulations, checked October 19, 2026
Help at school
The McKinney-Vento law helps students who have no steady home stay in school.
Kentucky
A student who is homeless can enroll in school right away, even without the usual papers.
"Immediate enrollment in school, even without documents normally required for enrollment" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
You can ask for rides to and from your school of origin.
"Receive transportation to and from the school of origin upon request" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
Students covered by this law get free school meals.
"Receive free school meals" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
This covers youth who do not live with a parent or guardian.
"Unaccompanied youth (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian)" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
Contact your local homeless liaison as soon as you can.
"contact the local homeless liaison as soon as possible" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
The Kentucky Department of Education says how to find a district's homeless coordinator on its page.
"To locate the homeless coordinator for a district visit KDE's Open House" — Kentucky Department of Education, checked October 19, 2026
Jobs and job training
Job help for young people. This comes from the WIOA youth program.
Kentucky
Kentucky's in-school youth job programs serve ages 14 to 21.
"In-school youth programs (ISY) serve youth ages 14-21." — Kentucky Career Center, checked October 19, 2026
Out-of-school youth programs serve ages 16 to 24.
"Out-of-school youth (OSY) programs serve youth ages 16-24." — Kentucky Career Center, checked October 19, 2026
Being homeless, a runaway, or in or out of foster care counts as a barrier the program looks for.
"homeless, runaway or in foster care or has aged out of the foster care system" — Kentucky Career Center, checked October 19, 2026
Getting an ID and food help on your own
Some young people can do these things without a parent. Here is what the official pages say.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, a homeless youth who is 16 or 17 fills out Form TC94-198 to get a state ID card.
"shall complete Form TC94-198 to receive a personal identification card" — Kentucky Administrative Regulations, checked October 19, 2026
In Kentucky, a homeless youth ages 16 or 17 can get a state ID card without a parent or guardian signature.
"obtain a personal identification card without a signature of a parent or guardian" — Kentucky Administrative Regulations, checked October 19, 2026
Someone like a school homeless liaison, social worker, or counselor can say you are homeless.
"or a school social worker or school counselor" — Kentucky General Assembly, checked October 19, 2026
A director of an agency that serves homeless people can also do this.
"A director or designee of a governmental or nonprofit agency" — Kentucky General Assembly, checked October 19, 2026
We did not find a Kentucky page about SNAP food help for a young person living on their own.
Support for LGBTQ+ young people
Free help from groups that work with LGBTQ+ young people.
Anywhere in the U.S.
The Trevor Project offers free, private crisis help for LGBTQ+ young people, any hour of any day.
"Our services are 24/7/365, nationwide, 100% free & confidential" — The Trevor Project, checked October 19, 2026
Call 1-866-488-7386.
"Call us at 1-866-488-7386" — The Trevor Project, checked October 19, 2026
Or text START to 678-678.
"Text 'START' to 678-678" — The Trevor Project, checked October 19, 2026
Kentucky
In Louisville, Louisville Youth Group has a weekly drop-in Teen Group for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 14 to 18.
"Ages 14–18 Teen Group Our biggest weekly drop-in" — Louisville Youth Group, checked October 19, 2026
Tween Group is for ages 11 to 13.
"Ages 11–13 Tween Group" — Louisville Youth Group, checked October 19, 2026
LYG Rising is for ages 18 to 24.
"Ages 18–24 LYG Rising" — Louisville Youth Group, checked October 19, 2026
Every program is free and has no sign-up.
"Every LYG program is free. No registration, no proof" — Louisville Youth Group, checked October 19, 2026
Louisville Youth Group lists the phone number 502 430-2016.
"502 430-2016" — Louisville Youth Group, checked October 19, 2026