A Danger to Themselves and Others

While “taking off” seems like a bold move, runaway and homeless youth are typically scared, confused, lonely, hungry, and cash-strapped. Many have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. As a result, runaway and homeless youth can easily fall victim to:

• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Drug dealing
• Physical and sexual abuse
• Prostitution or “survival sex”
• Violence
• Anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD
• Suicide

Bellefaire Is Ready to Help, 24/7
If you know a runaway or homeless youth or suspect that a youth is planning to run away, a call to Bellefaire’s Basic Center will initiate an immediate response. Our program specialists will act first and foremost to:

• Deliver crisis stabilization
• Provide emergency respite care
• Reunite youth with their families, if safe and appropriate
• Arrange shelter for up to 14 days with a trained
• foster family
• Assure 24-hour case supervision

A Better Basic Center
More than a facility, Bellefaire’s Basic Center is a network of services delivered at sites throughout the region. We leverage Bellefaire’s partnerships with necessary community resources to deliver an effective response, both short- and long-term.

Shelter in a Family Setting
Runaway and homeless youth who require temporary shelter are housed, not at a center, but in the homes of specially trained, licensed foster care families. We believe strongly in the power of the family setting to help:

• Overcome the resistance many runaway and homeless youth feel toward authority figures and institutions
• Disengage the youth from street-life contacts that could encourage him or her to run away again
• Provide a safe respite in which to begin dialogue and problem-solving
• Allow the youth to witness and experience healthy family interaction

Essential Aftercare
We begin immediately to address the issues that prompted running away and to help prevent future episodes. As appropriate, we:

• Promote the active involvement of the youth and his or her family in all necessary services
• Encourage the resolution of family problems through relevant counseling and treatment
• Link youth and families to appropriate aftercare services of all kinds
• Help youth and families craft a constructive course of action to help ensure future success

Experience Is Key
Founded in 1868, Bellefaire JCB is among the nation’s largest, most experienced child welfare agencies. Each year, through more than 25 programs for youth and families, Bellefaire helps some 11,000 children, teens, young adults, and their families achieve resiliency, dignity, and self-sufficiency. To learn more about our complete array of services, visit www.bellefairejcb.org

When to Call

• If you think a youth may be planning to run away
• If you suspect that one or more youths might be runaways or homeless
• If you know a runaway or homeless youth, no matter how long they’ve been gone

Let Us Address Your Group
Bellefaire’s Basic Center is committed to education as a key means of preventing running away and homelessness among youth. To arrange a presentation to your agency, school, youth organization, club, sports team, or other group, call Karen McHenry LISW, LICDC, Program Manager, 216-320-8422.