Interviews were conducted with 712 Canadian street youth (ages 15-20 years) to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors with regard to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Youth were interviewed in 10 cities across Canada on the basis of 5 street culture lifestyles: prostitution, drug…

Although research has established a linkage between maltreatment and running away, there have been few in-depth investigations of this phenomenon. This study was conducted to: (1) describe the nature of maltreatment among runaway and homeless youth; (2) provide a profile of their family and demographic characteristics; (3) examine how maltreated…

This document contains testimonies from witnesses and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the exploitation of runaway children and adolescents. Opening statements are included from Senators Hawkins, Dodd, and Grassley which briefly describe runaway statistics, the dangers faced by runaways, and efforts to help…

The book is a collection of 10 essays written by the author on the subject of alternative mental health services for youth and adolescents. Aspects covered include alternative services and the mental health professional, runaways and runaway centers, long-term residences, and the present and future of alternative services. Titles presented include…

The existence of subgroupings among runaways and whether or not there are particular characteristics that can be associated with the subgroups was investigated with 308 adolescents whose records were chosen from a runaway housing program. Ss referrals were reviewed and inventoried into three areas: runaways, castaways, and agency assists. Among…

This project--to determine the current legal status of juvenile runaways in the United States--was undertaken on July 1, 1974 at the behest of and funded by the Office of Youth Development, Office of Human Development of the DHEW. It is only one part of a much broader in-depth effort covering a wide spectrum of subjects by many of the constituent…

Interviews with runaways reveals the following stages of a runaway episode: (1) problematic relationships at home, characterized by violence, power struggles, sibling favoritism, and a lack of love; (2) the fight, which includes a transgression and a parental threat; and (3) running away, where the youth must manage fear and handle logistical…

This report discusses six programs being considered by the 108th Congress for reauthorization, focusing on policies designed to assist disconnected and at-risk youth. The review seeks to identify how the programs do or do not consider at-risk or disconnected youth ad how such programs might be improved. After an introduction by Alan Houseman, six…

This document reports on two studies by the Bridges to Inclusion project concerning issues surrounding runaway and/or homeless youth with disabilities. The first study surveyed emergency adolescent shelter providers funded by the Family and Youth Service Bureau. Findings addressed types of disabilities frequently identified or suspected in…

Discusses several clusters of personal and situational variables which are characteristic of runaways as compared to nonrunaways. Highlights results of qualitative research on suburban runaways. Develops five-point continuum of parent-youth conflict. Suggests integration of typologies is important in the development of basic assessment tools for…

Examined prevalence of arithmetic and reading difficulties in adolescents at a homeless/runaway shelter. Found that 52% had reading disability, 28.5% had arithmetic/written work difficulty, and 19.5% were achieving normally. Also found that groups did not differ in reported history of such things as substance abuse, maltreatment, court…

Associations between major or minor offending and developmental factors, family characteristics, environmental characteristics, and problem behaviors and symptoms were examined with 180 youth having severe emotional disturbance. Minor offending was associated with increasing age and parental incarceration. Major offending was associated with…

Documents living conditions of adolescents (n=390) who left home and were living in the streets of Toronto, Canada. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the most consistent predictions of hunger, criminal activity, and incarceration were the conditions of street life itself: lack of secure shelter and length of time on the street. (JBJ)

Offers readers a personal view of "Junk," a controversial novel about the young homeless, by Melvyn Burgess. Analyzes and critiques the book, concluding that the book has a mission to show how misconceived an "initial drug high" is without "wagging its finger" at the reader. (SC)

Examined nature and distribution of HIV-risk behavior in a broad, street-based sample of homeless and runaway youths in New York City (N=929). Found street youths in general to be at high risk, with the highest risks within older age segments of the male street youth population; paradoxically, these youths are least likely to be in contact with…