For years, Multnomah County contracted with a Portland nonprofit to provide emergency services for runaway and homeless youth at a shelter near the Lloyd District.

But another organization will provide those services, with an added emphasis on cultural competency and family mediation, starting in March. The county’s human services department entered a five-year, $3.4 million agreement with New Avenues For Youth in late November to replace current provider Janus Youth Programs and its shelter, Harry’s Mother.

Janus’s facility, which serves children younger than 17, relies on walk-ins and referrals. Once admitted, kids work with staffers who steer them toward resources including mental health supports, pregnancy prevention and drug and alcohol abuse counseling.

The county’s contract with Janus and Harry’s Mother was originally set to expire on June 30 of this year. But spokesman Ryan Yambra said that agreement was extended through February 2020 to avoid interruptions in service “while the county went on an extensive community outreach and redesign process” for the program.

Multnomah County paid Janus $650,000 for the eight-month extension.

A series of surveys and focus groups conducted by the county showed teens and families wanted the county’s new service provider to play a larger role in homelessness and runaway prevention. The surveys showed those same groups also wanted more culturally specific services and supports for LGBTQ youth, including staff experienced working with those populations.

Yambra said New Avenues is working with culturally specific organizations to address other concerns that surfaced during community surveys.

Janus came under fire from Multnomah County officials in late 2018 when Willamette Week reported the doors at Harry’s Mother, which is billed as a 24-7 crisis support center, were locked during at least eight nights in August and September.

While some county officials said the closure was a breach of contract, Janus claimed the opposite, saying its crisis hotline was still running.