NCJ Number
87916
Date Published
1982
Length
215 pages
Annotation
This hearing reviews the performance and Federal administration of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act through testimony on a General Accounting Office review of related programs, perspectives of officials from the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, and testimony of a program director and a researcher-writer who deals with the problem of runaways.
Abstract
The General Accounting Office evaluation of runaway programs examined who participates in the programs, the services offered, youth center environments, and the attitudes of participants, service providers, and citizens toward services and operations. A majority of the youths were found to be first-time clients from the immediate geographical area of the center, referred to the center by professional service providers, and accompanied to the center by service providers, parents, and relatives. Center staff and others in the community reported the most pressing client needs to the shelter, counseling, and family involvement. These needs were addressed by all centers. In 12 of the 16 sites reviewed, only 50 percent or fewer of the clients received aftercare services. Testimony by officials of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families recounts the nature of the runaway programs funded and the technical assistance provided. Testimony is also presented by the chairperson of the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services, Inc., an organization whose membership includes 600 independent youth and family crisis services in 46 States. Included in the written statements are annual reports to Congress on the status of runaway programs funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. For individual entries, see NCJ 87917-19.