Runaway prevention specialist Lindsey Kahney delivers a presentation on tools for runaway prevention among at-risk youth, developed from the National Runaway Safeline's "Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum."
5. NRS Services
1-800-RUNAWAY
• Confidential 24/7 hotline
• Non-judgmental/non-directive
• Trauma-informed, solution focused
intervention
• Conference Call and Message
Service
1800runaway.org
• Interactive live chat
• Crisis forum and email services
• Text Services – connect to hotline
• Areas of Info and tips for youth,
parents and educators
• Comprehensive Research
• Order free prevention and education
materials
6. Information and Referral Services
NRS maintains a national database of over 9,000 agencies and services
Emergency and long-term housing
Basic Needs – food, clothing, etc..
Transportation
Treatment – health, mental health, substance abuse
7. Home Free Program
Partnership with Greyhound Lines
Reunites runaway youth 12-17 with parent/guardian
Assists runaway and homeless youth 18-21 in stabilizing themselves with
supportive family member and/or independent living programs; this
includes survivors of human trafficking
Identify or accept referral to local supportive services
8. Curriculum Goals:
Build life skills
Educate about alternatives to running away
Encourage youth to access and seek help from
trusted community members
Increase knowledge about runaway/homeless/at-
risk youth resources
Audience:
Youth ages 12-20
Where is it being used:
Schools, Youth Groups, Afterschool, Youth
shelters, juvenile justice services, community
centers
AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
10. 14 Modules
Communication and Listening
Peers and Healthy Relationships
Families – Roles and Responsibilities
Runaway Reality
Anger Management
Community Response and Responsibility
Internet Safety and Fun
Sexuality & Sexual Orientation
11. Activity Review:
What Flips Your
Switch
Allows youth to identify
what are there anger
triggers and how they
look and feel when they
are angry
12. Who’s On Your Bus?
Directions: THINK about if you could fill a bus with the people in your life
who are most important when it comes to making decisions about your
life, who would be on that bus?
16. Facilitation Tips
Establish classroom guidelines for behavior – create a safe space
Always review the module prior to facilitating – take note of the module
icons
Allow youth to participate as they feel comfortable – offer different
options
Consider room layout, especially for specific activities
Be a good listener, and remember silence is okay!
Be prepared for some conversations to bring up issues for some youth
17. Let’s Talk Curriculum Benefits
Can be implemented by activity, module or in its entirety – very user
friendly and adaptable
Provides additional resources, worksheets and handouts for learning
Pre/Post Tests available
Can lend to leadership opportunities for youth/peer-led learning
Support life skills acquisition and prevention efforts
Can be included in service learning, as well as a complement to existing
curricula
NRS offers technical assistance to all RPC users
18. Information We Collect
Pre/Post Test from agencies utilizing any parts of the
curriculum
Group Demographic forms
Satisfaction Surveys
Incentives available for those returning demographic forms
and/or tests
19. KIDS CALL ACTIVITY
• Allows sites nationwide to welcome
NRS into their group at no charge
• Allows youth to ask questions and learn
more about NRS services
• Alleviates the anxiety of calling the
hotline
• Groups can even do a mock call!
20. @1800RUNAWAY National Runaway Safeline
Lindsey Kahney
Prevention Specialist
773.289.1723
3141 B N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago IL 60657
prevention@1800RUNAWAY.org
1-800-RUNAWAY (24-hour hotline) 1800RUNAWAY.org (website)
Notas del editor
No consistent definition for “at-risk” – YOUTH WHO ARE LESS LIKELY TO TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY INTO ADULTHOOD. Many argue all children are at risk in one way or another, BUT some children face higher risks than others (Ex: youth who are/have been abuse, dealing with low self-esteem, past traumatic experiences, economic disadvantages). Often times it’s the enviornment that these youth are in that makes them at risk – this can include their home environment, school and community. (Info gathered from childtrends.org)
*Go more in depth about CC and message services
*Can utilize CC to connect youth and families with these agencies
Updated English and Spanish versions created 2015/2016 – updated stats, graphics, added additional activities surrounding human trafficking and dating violence, working with unique populations (Native American/Tribal Populations); Additional info on trauma informed approach/harm reduction