Runaway and Homeless Youth Project
The goal of the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) project is to reduce the rate of runaway and unnecessary out-of-home placements in New Castle County, Delaware.
This is accomplished by offering the following services:
- 24-Hour Runaway Hotline (302) 762-6373 acts as a link between runaways, their families and CHILD, Inc. counseling services. This Hotline is operational 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and is always staffed by trained personnel. In addition to providing access to a shelter bed, this telephone service also allows parents and other concerned adults to receive advice and information in crises regarding runaways.
- Short term crisis shelter care and aftercare services to all appropriate self-referred youth on runaway or threatening to run away.
- Crisis intervention and individual/family counseling to families who have a youth who is threatening or engaging in runaway behavior. The counseling is short term and has the aim of preserving the family unit when at all possible. Because of the Federal funding, this service is offered at no cost to the clients.
- Service linkages and referrals to youth and families when appropriate.
- Community and school educational presentations regarding runaway behavior and other youth-related services.
Addressing the Complexities of Family and Relationship Violence (PDF file)
Drawing on the experiences of Family and Youth Services Bureau grantees, the latest issue of the Exchange explores the complexities of relationship violence among runaway and homeless youth and passes on tips for how programs can educate young people to avoid abuse.
Outside of Delaware?
The National Runaway Switchboard – 1-800-Runaway
1-800-621-0394 (TDD) For the hearing impaired
The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated and committed to helping youth at-risk through telephone switchboard services. The NRS provides:
- Crisis Intervention
- Referrals
- Youth Advocacy