Community Networks - A Service Strategy for Urban Runaways and Their Families (From Reaching Troubled Youth, P 36-44, 1981, James S Gordon and Margaret Beyer, ed. - See NCJ-94883)

• NCJ Number: 94887
• Author(s): J Bliesner
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94883

Annotation

San Diego Youth Services (SDYS), a three-component alternative youth service program, uses a community-based network as a major prevention, treatment, and aftercare strategy -- a particularly effective strategy for reaching runaways and their families.

Abstract

SDYS defines 'networking' as the process of creating and using systems of mutual support. These systems can enhance personal and social functioning and resolve individual, family, and group dysfunction. Networking aims to help individuals, families, groups, and communities access reliable support sources. The incidence of running away is high among youth who lack affiliation with friends, families, and social activity groups. SDYS attempts to help youth and their families develop an understanding of the ways in which they are connected to others in their neighborhood and how they can use these connections to maximize their ability to respond to personal and shared problems. The goal is to facilitate creation of a self-help community around each young person which can meet the needs of a majority of its members. In crises, developing access to resources and teaching problemsolving or survival skills are the network's primary tasks. Once a strong self-help group has been formed, long-term developmental goals will be handled naturally among group members. The network facilitator gradually assumes more of a support role, offering resources when the young people need them. Discussion includes a case example of networking as a prevention, treatment, and aftercare strategy. Five references are provided.