NCJ Number
112966
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
After describing the characteristics of host-home placement, a temporary emergency shelter for youth, this manual discusses host-home program components to provide program planners with guidelines for developing host-home programs and alert them to policy issues related to each component.
Abstract
'Host homes,' also known as 'interim homes' or 'receiving homes,' are those in which families act as 'hosts' for youths in need of temporary emergency shelter. Typical incidents that might occasion the need for a host home are a runaway episode where it is not advisable for the youth to return home immediately, the need for relief from family tension that might escalate into a dangerous crisis, and a youth not being wanted in the home. The host home provides both youths and their families with a 'cooling off' period, during which counselors work with the youths and their families to resolve the problem and formulate a plan to be followed after the host home placement. A primary goal of host homes is to prevent delinquency by intervening in family problems prior to or shortly after a youth runs away from home. In discussing the administration of host homes programs, the manual considers responsibilities, staffing, and personnel practices. Other components considered are host family recruiting, screening, and licensing; liability and property insurance; contracts; orientation and training; intake; policies and procedures; discharge and aftercare; records; budgeting; and the maintenance of host homes. 14-item bibliography, guidelines, and forms.