NCJ Number
82131
Date Published
1980
Length
67 pages
Annotation
This report describes services provided by Runaway Youth Programs and their relationship to the program's legislative goals, presents a statistical profile of youths served by the program, and describes the program's demonstration projects and its national toll-free communications system.
Abstract
The program provided funding for 164 runaway youth programs which have provided services to over 43,000 runaway youths and their families located in 47 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Guam. It continued funding for demonstration projects and for the toll-free communications system to serve runaways and their families. It implemented and automated a management information system, developed a contract to conduct a statewide demonstration project within the Ohio Network of Runaway Youth Services, developed model regulations for runaway youth legislation, and provided technical assistance and training through a contractor for 164 grantees. The program's essential services (outreach, information and referral, individual intake and counseling, and temporary shelter), supplementary services, (family counseling, medical and legal services, and advocacy), and procedural requirements (referral linkages) are all intended to meet the program's legislative goals. Runaway youth centers are serving distinct youth populations: runaways, youths encouraged to leave their homes, youths who leave home with the knowledge/approval of their parents, potential runaways, youths in crisis who are not planning to run away, and other youths coming to the project for services. Most youths served by the projects are runaways and female, between the ages of 14 and 17 years old, white, and had been living at home with their parents. Youths blame poor communication with their parents as the main reason for seeking services, and most seek services on their own. Current demonstration projects are described, and a list of 1979 program grantees by region/State and level of support is included. An evaluation report on the program is appended. Tabular data are included.