Word: runaways
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...Once a runaway decides to enter the program at Place, he or she is allowed to stay up to two weeks (the limit is necessary because of the large numbers of runaways that pass through the house). Place offers a program of crisis intervention where children learn to confront their problems. The house has 72 hours to inform parents of their child's whereabouts, but, if it is safe to do so, a counselor (or preferably the runaway himself) calls the parents soon after the child's entry to explain that the child is off the streets...
...house staff member, says that the first thing he asks a client is what do you want to use me for?" It is a form of outreach to the child which tries to get him actively involved in solving his own problems. In a non-authoritarian environment, the runaway can hear an explanation of the options open to him. The facilities of the house can then be used as a sort of social service trouble-shooter to get the child the services he may need, such as a forster home, medical care...
...Place Runaway House evolved out of the social troubles of the 1960s. At the time, young people were not drifting just to San Francisco to become flower children. They flowed into many major cities. And not all were interested in politics and drugs but were running away from serious problems and needed help. Place House was founded in 1967, making it the second oldest shelter for runaways in the country...
Jackson says that Place House may be the only runaway shelter in the country with this kind of collective organization. We're fighters," she says. Place has fought to remain independent from the control of state social welfare systems which often have regulations requiring agencies to have an organizational hierarchy...
...members of Place are also fighters for other issues. They waged a long battle to be able to keep the names of their clients confidential and out of the records of the state agencies who provide funding. And they helped fight for legislation to change the status of a runaway from a criminal to a child in need of service" who needs help instead of time in court. Presently, the Place staff is organizing campaigns to heighten public awareness of child abuse...