NCJ Number
136108
Date Published
1991
Length
273 pages
Annotation
This report describes programs for runaway and homeless youth in Des Moines, Chicago, San Diego, Iowa City, Albuquerque, Seattle, and Boston.
Abstract
With mainstream systems slow to respond to the needs of homeless youth, a creative alternative system of commumity- based agencies has developed. The National Institute of Drug Abuse and National Institute of Mental Health requested the Children and Youth at Risk Project assemble a panel of experts to examine effective programs for site visits and develop recommendations for policy issues. Extensive interviews were conducted at the chosen sites with staff, board members, directors, funders, and adolescents. The panel based their program choices on geographical balance and fundamental principals of effective service delivery such as adaptation to the needs of youth, establishment of comprehensive services, and services for all. Also, appropriate agencies provide a range of services including substance abuse treatment, HIV prevention, education, mental health, housing, and general medical care. "On Their Own" targets service providers who need technical assistance in enhancing their programs. One objective of this monograph is to encourage collaboration between traditional service systems and alternative youth programs. Universities, service providers, decision makers, and others in the research community need to examine issues of homeless adolescents, considered the least studied subgroup of the homeless population. 9 appendixes and 55 references