NCJ Number
208193
Date Published
August 2004
Length
51 pages
Annotation
This study examined the reasons some youth in foster care repeatedly run away from group care settings.
Abstract
Adolescents who leave foster care without permission face a host of dangerous situations and place burdens on the institutions that serve them. The current study drew data from New York City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Child Care Resource System (CCRS) on a sample of 30 youth who had histories of running away (termed AWOL) repeatedly from group living situations. Interviews were conducted with these youth, as well as 17 adult staff members, regarding the reasons for running away, their experiences while they were away from care without permission, and how the facilities responded to these situations. The results revealed certain trends, such as the fact that AWOL youth rarely live on the streets during their absence from care, but rather stay with friends while hiding their AWOL status. Almost two-thirds of AWOL youth returned to care voluntarily. In terms of risk, one-third encountered no risk while AWOL, another third experienced moderate risk, and the final third experienced high levels of risk involving heavy drug use or violence. Facility staff engaged in different strategies to respond to AWOL's, including counseling sessions, extended curfews, and removal of privileges. Recommendations are offered for facility staff, such as allowing more planned leave time for youths and providing more activities to reduce down time. Tables, references, appendixes