Before Youth Walk Out the Door
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Talk to youth and provide exit counseling that includes possible followup treatments (e.g., family reunification or counseling) that have been prescribed or scheduled.- Make sure written transitional, aftercare, or followup plans or agreements have been worked out with youth, understood, and agreed to.
- During intake, place belongings of youth in a locked storage area where the lock will be changed after nights of unexcused absences. Youth will mostly likely come back to discuss the situation.
- As a preventative approach, post notices by the exit that say, "Talk to us before you leave us."
- Provide referrals for assistance, such as Housing and Urban Development Section 8 programs or other permanent housing assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, etc.
- Verify that youth have safe places to go prior to release.
- Provide youth with transportation tokens, food, information about local shelters and resources, phone cards, and other necessities.
- Tell youth that they are always welcome to come back in and talk—even if they have broken the rules.
- Upon intake, collect contact information for people other than relatives from youth—close friends, significant others, teachers, mentors.
- Give youth mementos (e.g., toothbrushes, pencils, wallets) inscribed with the program's phone number or a runaway hotline number.
- Make sure youth know how to use and find post offices, libraries, employment and education services, laundromats, public transportation, supermarkets, pharmacies and recreation centers.
- Connect youth with mentors.
- Remind youth of traditional activities that may bring them back, such as holiday events or dinners.
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