NCJ Number
134650
Date Published
1985
Length
195 pages
Annotation
This study uses interviews with 40 social welfare and law enforcement experts and eight runaway youth as well as social research literature to examine the problems of runaway and homeless youth or status offenders in Los Angeles County.
Abstract
This study revealed the intensive nature of the problem, although the extent of the phenomenon was not ascertained. Runaway and homeless youth come from highly disorganized families and are often the victims of physical or sexual abuse. About half the youth have not voluntarily left their homes, but were pushed out or encouraged to leave by parents. Fewer than half have a realistic prospect of being reunited with their families. Runaways and homeless youth suffer severe health and emotional problems, exhibiting stress and other psychological problems in excess of those experienced by non-runaways. The report authors recommend the establishment of a regional central intake center for the screening, diagnosis, and disposition of runaways and homeless youth. Interagency cooperation, staff training and development, and reevaluation of the design of the current Status Offenders' Detention Alternative program are measures that need to be taken by the appropriate agencies. Runaway and homeless youth should be handled outside of the court system; family mediation services and long-term transitional care are two alternatives for their disposition. Other recommendations involve a census of involved youth, school-based prevention programs, community education, and a special conference on secure detention of status offenders. 5 appendixes