NCJ Number
94886
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Vermont's Washington County Youth Services Bureau, in an effort to meet the needs of its rural youth, developed a unique rural support network (Country Roads) for youth and family in sparsely populated communities.
Abstract
Designed to serve the runaway children of this rural region, the project's key concept is the creation of a 'network of supportive, helping families' who shelter and work with runaway children and become trained advocates for young people within their communities. The development of the family and community service network model evolved from a recognition of the inherent strengths within the local, rural environment. Farm families, retired couples, young professionals, blue-collar families, and single-parent families offered to become 'shelter parents' and joined this community-based network. The philosophy of a supportive community network is that young people will be helped to find an alternative to home while they work on their family and school problems. Training for shelter parents is geared to augment natural parenting skills. 'Roadrunners,' another Country Roads project, offers peer counseling. Training for Roadrunners involves three groups of youth and adult trainees in weekly meetings for several months. The Country Roads program operates several other support groups -- parents' support group, young pregnant women's group, and rap group. These programs demonstrate that one cannot simply 'deliver' services to clients. It is vital to engage local communities in the development of appropriate service models. One reference is included.