NCJ Number
78810
Date Published
1979
Length
189 pages
Annotation
Based on a 19-month evaluation of projects supported by the Youth Development Bureau to enhance the planning and delivery of services to runaway or otherwise homeless youth and their families, this report presents findings from the client impact assessment component of the evaluation.
Abstract
This component examined project performance in terms of the four legislative goals by examining what impact the 20 projects studied had on a sample of youth and families they served. To generate data about the impact of project services on these clients, interviews were conducted with youths, parents, and staff members. Following a profile of the youth served at the 20 projects and of the services provided, findings and their implications as indicators of the key strengths and weaknesses in the National Runaway Youth Program are presented. Findings point to the success of the projects in meeting the legislative goals. The short-term crisis intervention services and longer term counseling services appear to be extremely effective. The only major weakness that was revealed by the client impact data was the limited extent to which aftercare services are being provided, either directly by the projects themselves or through referrals. Only 17 percent of the youth surveyed received any individual counseling and only 6 percent received family counseling from the project within the first 5 weeks after termination. Further, only 22 percent of all youth interviewed at termination had been given a referral for counseling. Client impact criteria and standards, the study methodology, and other studies on runaway programs are appended. Footnotes and data tables are included.