Mental Health-Related Training in Runaway Programs - A National Perspective (From Reaching Troubled Youth, P 138-143, 1981, James S Gordon and Margaret Beyer, ed.- See NCJ-94883)

• NCJ Number: 94896
• Author(s): M Beyer
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94883

Annotation

Noting that in recent years runaway programs provide more extensive training opportunities for their staff, the discussion reviews inservice training; special training for volunteers, interns, peer counselors, and foster families; outside training opportunities; the professionalization of runaway program staff; and fundamental issues in training youth workers -- professionalizing, burnout, limit setting, and service as a way of life.

Abstract

At this time, significant obstacles -- lack of information, money, credentials, a professional identity, career ladders, and training funds -- face youth workers who want additional formal training and the skills, credentials, and prestige it brings. If alternative youth services are to continue to offer nonthreatening, flexible care, they cannot afford to be dominated by traditionally trained professionals. Runaway programs need to take special steps to enable their staff to cope with the intensity and stress of working with disturbed and untrusting youth and families without suffering burnout. Work with adolescents calls for disciplined staff who can be caring, available, and nonjudgmental while setting reasonable limits. Directors hope that training will be one way of helping committed youth workers to gain the skills and perspective they need and of helping those who have skills to develop the commitment that runaway programs require.