Created under the Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of
1974 was a response to widespread concern regarding the alarming number of
youth who were leaving home without parental permission, and who, while
away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other dangers of street
life.
Today, the central purpose of this program is to
provide youth with emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and
referrals for health care. The Basic Center seeks to reunite young people
with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate
alternative placements.
Program Goals:
Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth;
Reunite youth with their families and encourage the
resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other
services;
Strengthen family relationships and encourage
stable long-term living conditions for youth;
Help youth decide upon constructive courses of
action.
Services:
Services provided under this runaway and homeless youth
program will not be utilized to serve youth already under the supervision
of child welfare or the juvenile justice system.
Safe, Appropriate Temporary Shelter in a
residential setting for youth under age 18.
Food, clothing, medical care and other basic
needs services.
Individual, group, and family counseling provided
by certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, Licensed
Professional Counselors, and Licensed Psychologists.
Recreation
programs.
Outreach to runaway and homeless youth.
Referrals to community resources to assist youth in
developing the necessary skills and capabilities to make positive and
constructive decisions.
Remediation.
Coordination of school/education.
Weekly community meetings to discuss group-living
issues.
Focus Groups addressing topics such as alcohol and
drug abuse, education and decision making.
Discharge Planning and aftercare services.
Eligibility Criteria:
Youth at risk of separation from the family who are less
than 18 years of age and who have a history of running away from the
family.
Age appropriate services or referrals for homeless
youth ages 18-21 will be provided.
