Check your child's room: See if any items are missing or if a note has been left behind.

Contact the police: Report your child as a runaway and file a 'missing persons report.'

* If your child has run away from within the city limits, contact the City Police.
* If your child has run away from your home which is located within your County, contact the County Police.
* Remain calm: This is important. Your anxiety may cause you to forget important details of your child’s appearance, behavior, names of friends, and/or typical hangouts.

Runaway behavior is considered a "status offense." This simply means it warrants police involvement. Running away is not a crime or a criminal offense for which a child would be confined to a juvenile detention facility. When the police retrieve your child, be aware that they will plan to return your child home to you.

Call the National Runaway Hotline (800) 621-000 or (800) 621-0394 (TDD) - for the hearing impaired. The National Runaway Hotline (NRS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated and committed to helping youth at-risk through telephone switchboard services. All services are confidential. The telephone lines are toll-free and operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The NRS provides:

* Crisis Intervention
* Referrals
* Youth Advocacy
* Contact your child or youth's school. He or she may still be attending classes.

Contact your child's friends. Although your child is on the run, he or she may still be in contact with close friends. DO NOT create an environment of hostility. Do not call your child or teen’s friends and demand to know the location of your youth. This may cause your child to fear coming home and consequently leave the immediate area. Have the friends contact the Runaway Hotline to relay any messages. Using a mediator or go-between reduces the fears that your child or their friends may have.

When Your Child or Teen Returns from Running Away

A child or teen often runs away as a means of managing a current conflict or stressful situation. Remember that the current conflict or stressful situation is just as important to resolve (if not more important) than the fact that your child has run away. Do not make unrealistic expectations for your child’s return. Get your child home and then take the time to evaluate the complete situation.

The return of your child can be a very emotional time. Your child may be feeling guilty or humiliated for his actions. He may also be filled with fear of anticipated punishment. As a parent, you may feel great relief, sadness and gratitude for having your child return safely. Be careful not to reward the runaway behavior. You may express disapproval for your youth‘s actions. Express the fact that you are relieved that he or she is home safely. Also, remember to affirm your love and care for him or her as a person.

You may be also feel overwhelmed by other emotions such as anger, humiliation, disgust and/or a desire to punish. Do not appear to be so filled with anger that you do not want your child to return home. If your child returns to a home filled with anger, there is little reason for him or her to stay. Remain open to the return of your child. Despite what you are feeling, some or all of the following steps may help ease the transition period:

* See if medical attention is warranted.

* Show your child love and concern.

* Communicate. Listen to your child; his or her messages are extremely important and must take priority in the re-establishment of your relationship.

* Contact schools, officials, police, etc., to let them know your child has returned home.

* Develop a plan with your child to work on the problems that exist within your home. Involve professional support, as needed, to assist you in determining the best way to strengthen the family relationships.

* Maintain communication and view the identified changes as the "new" family traditions.

* Contact a counseling service.

The Problem of Runaway and Homeless Youth

Nationally:

* 1.3 million runaways and homeless youth live on the streets of America

* One out of every seven youth will run away sometime between the ages of 10 and 18.

* Every year approximately 5000 runaways and homeless youth die from assault, illness, and suicide.

 

Youth runaway for various reasons:

* Family relations problems and conflicts (most frequently cited reason)

* Poor self esteem and other issues related to mental & emotional health

* School truancy and other school-related difficulties

* Family issues (substance abuse, separation and divorce, finances, family mental health, physical and sexual abuse)

* Youth abusing substance(s)

* A youth often runs away as a means of managing a current conflict or stressful situation. It is actually a method of coping, albeit an unhealthy and risky method.

What dangers do runaways face?

Runaways face poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, exposure to the elements, a host of medical problems, physical assault and theft, substance abuse and dangerous sexual behavior including exploitation. Some turn to survival sex, theft, and panhandling to live.

Where do most runaway youth go?

Studies indicate that 50% of teenagers who run away stay within 10 miles of their home. They often stay with friends or relatives, wander the streets or sleep in parks or unsecured buildings. Beaches are a frequent haven for runaways during the warmer Spring and Summer months.

from: teenadvice.about.com/od/runawayhelplines/

 

HOTLINES

National Runaway Switchboard - phone 1-800-621-4003

Child Find of America, Inc. (New York)-phone 1-800-a-way-out

National Missing Children's Locate Center (Oregon)-phone 1-800-999-7846

* For runaway hotlines in specific areas of the U.S., check the "Human Services" section of the local phone directory.

 

Travel & Communication Services

"Home Free" Bus Service - Greyhound Lines, in conjunction with the National Runaway Switchboard, will provide free one way transportation for runaway children returning home through its "Home Free" program.

Contact-A-Runaway - fee-based message service for runaways and parents.

Guardian Youth Escort Service

 

Prevention & Intervention

Understanding and Preventing Teenage Runaways - advice from a clinical psychologist.

The Runaway Game - "Choose-your-own-adventure" style hypertext novel with 20 different endings designed to help teenagers understand the realities of life as a runaway. At the end of each chapter, readers make choices which lead to different scenarios.

Operation Go Home - Canadian organization dedicated to reuniting runaways with their families or matching them with agencies which can provide help. Educational materials are also available.

Youth Crisis Center of Jacksonville, Florida - one community's response to the problem of runaways includes the SAFE PLACE program begun in 1986.

Child Find Alberta - "... providing the citizens of Alberta with programs for prevention, intervention, location and recovery, and postvention/follow up."

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The Lost Child: Emergency Broadcast System Recovery Network