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Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisI am looking for advice on how to address
the needs of two youth who are living at the residential facility that I
am working in. These youth repeatedly run away from the facility, and
engage in risky behavior in the community. How can group home staff
ensure that these youth remain safe, decrease occurrences of youth
running away, and engage youth in programming and services? I am seeking
advice on how to engage youth within a group home setting, and through
community outreach.
Thank you.
Anonymous
...
Is it too simplistic to say that the answer is to
make staying in and engaging with staff more fun and exciting and
interesting and desirable than going out? "Programming and
services" sounds a little clinical and not too attractive to me.
Play games, have a laugh, have fun, laugh again, avoid being critical
and demanding, laugh a lot, have a mug of hot chocolate or a cold drink
(even when they've been "bad"), laugh some more, do it all again.
Then, when they know you are really OK, you can talk to them about
running away and they just might listen.
Don't try to stop them running away, try to make them want to stay.
Ni Holmes
Scotland
...
An interesting dilemma; raises lots of questions? Are they running away
from something, or to something? You've identified them as youth, I
wonder how old they are? Is it possible that this is an expression of an
increasing desire for autonomy and independence? Risk taking behaviors?
(i.e. Substance use, sexual activity?) Again maybe some element of
experimentation, maybe some result of modeling from an earlier time in
their lives. Do they run away together? Is this some effort to work out
/understand their relationship? Does one go to keep the other safe? Does
one go because they feel more brave/secure/stimulated in the company of
the other? What is the response they receive upon return? And how does
this impact their desire to run away again? Is it possible that they
think the only way/best way to maintain their place with you is to run
away demonstrating a need to be taken care of?
Thanks for the question, hope this is of some help,
Michael Wattie
...
Hi there
Having worked specifically with running-behaviours in youth for about a
year, I think that a key piece is to build on relationships – either
with peers or a staff person. Our program had particular "reconnect
work" for youth who disengaged from the program (treatment), as well as
the loss of "points" they could earn to receive their allowance. I'm not
sure what type of structure your program has, though. Do the youth have
the opportunity to contribute to the types of activities and
programming? asking for their input and planning what sorts of
activities they want to do may help. Another idea would be to have a
"planned AWOL" – in which they are permitted to leave with a staff for a
specific length of time (these can be earned by not running, as well).
Also, what type of safety planning do you do with the youth and what are
their consequences for running and engaging in risky behaviour? We also
would follow the youth for as long as possible in the community (ie,
until they get on the bus or you lose sight of them).
I hope these ideas can help!
Cheers
Heather Forsey
...
My first thought is....are they running from something or to
something?Knowing that may help with your intervention and assist in
assessing their needs. Is one the leader and the other merely following?
Their needs will most likely differ, but in my experience, if there is a
focus on building a relationship with the kids in your care, they
areless likely to run, more likely to grow andheal,and more invested
in the program.
Engaging youth within a "group home setting" should be no different than
any other setting....establishing trust, consistency, openness,
providing a safe environment, andlisteningtowhat they have to say.
Have you asked them why they continue to run away? Have you asked them
what they need to be more engaged in the program? What are their
interests and how can you and your staff members help them focus on
those vs running?
Jean Dickson
...
Being strength-based and focusing on what they are doing 'right' rather
then what they are doing wrong. Build protective and resiliency
factors so while 'away' they are more likely to be safe. Be open to
hearing their perspective on 'running away' both the good and the bad.
Maybe if you knew where they were running to and why (what need is being
met) you could find another way to fulfil it at program. On
another note ownership of a program is key, give them a voice in the
proram and provide immediate examples of how their voice has made an
impact on the program.
Just a few things that we find works at our youth drop-in, some you are
probably already doing but thought I'd mention anyways.
Take care
Nicole
" if you want to get the best out of someone then you first need to see
it in them"
...
I really like Ni's framework of not trying to stop kids from running but
mainly focus on making them want to stay in the program. Additionally
this question raises a point that has always been a passion of mine in Child and Youth Care work.
When a young person runs away from a program they
often put themselves in potentially dangerous situations or engage in
activities that were concerning for them before they came into
placement. Yet, in most cases when they return to the program they are
greeted by workers who may be upset with them because they left, they
face "lectures" about program rules, and are given (often
disproportional and unconnected) consequences as "restriction" for
running. Many programs even take their shoes and clothes and have them
walk around in pajamas for a while.
Yikes, the child most likely came to the program because they often
struggle to find healthy coping skills and make good decisions. Then
they make a good decision to return to relative safety and they are
greeted with stern adults and consequences. It has always been a process
that seems completely insane to me. So, some things to consider:
• Was the decision to leave and run from the program really a "bad
decision"?? When I was Director of the adolescent girls program some
years ago I established a system that if a girl "awol'ed" (ugh! what a
term for a treatment center) and left us a letter explaining why she
left it was automatically half the structured program consequence. This
helped her and all the staff focus less on the fact that she left and
more on the real issue for growth...WHY she left. Did I receive letters
that said (smugly) "I am going awol. I am bored. I am going to party
with my friends. Be back Monday. Oh, and remember, half my consequence"?
Yes! And I honored the agreement on consequences. But, those instances
virtually disappeared as the girls realized we were serious about
wanting to know why they left as the priority and help them with it. We
also received letters saying "I left because I was so angry I was going
to hurt that other girl or staff member", "I left because I think I need
a substance abuse program and my social worker isn't hearing me", I left
because they are bullying me and staff don't stop them", I left because
my stepfather is getting out of jail and I am afraid he might hurt my
little sister", etc. Those are the "treatment" issues to focus on and,
in fact, for the most part these reasons to leave are relatively healthy
and the kid should have been acknowledged for relatively good judgment
before processing other more "program following" options.
• I never got to the point of being able to have the courage to actually
throw a party with special snacks when a kid returned from danger (I
would do that if I had it to do over, despite the predicted outcry from
workers and others who would insist I had lost my mind!) but I did focus
in on making the girl feel as welcomed and nurtured as possible and made
special efforts to focus in on more explanation of what was in the
letter. In community meetings we would make special mention of being
happy the girl was back with us and I would meet with each girl
individually to welcome her back.
• One other part of the plan was that if a girl was "awol" and called us
while she was away to tell us she was safe, and gave some update on her
situation, we would again half the consequence.
So, preventing kids from running from programs is certainly about better
ways to engage and reach them in the program, but also about focusing in
on reminding them they are cared for, welcomed there, and maybe even
"rewarded" at the most vulnerable and crucial point when they actually
"come back".
Food for thought for creative Child and Youth Care practice!
Frank Delano
New York, NY
...
Hi
This question sounds very interesting and I'm sure with lots of
different responses. I've worked in a Facility for awaiting trial youth
and running away was part and parcel of the work. However, experience
has also taught me that, no matter the amount of planning you put into
programs as well as getting their input some of the youngsters will
still find a way to run away. In most cases it is purely that they want
to go home which is also influenced by the fact that parents are not in
a position to visit; in other instances it is influence due to the
nature of the case they are involved in; and it might even be that they
are "afraid" of certain staff members.
I'm sure when asking these youth they will most
probably come up with a myriad of reasons why they run away. Yes the
question should also be asked what they running away from, or what are
they running to. One bit of advice, never view running away as something
personal that the youth have against you as staff member. Any person
whose movements are restricted will find ways to get away from such
circumstances.
Charles Harris
...
Thanks everyone for your great replies. To answer a few questions...
Mike, I believe that they are both running away from something, and to
something.
They are involuntary clients, and have stated that
they do not wish to live in our facility. They want to be at home with
their families. Living with their families would not be possible. I
believe that they are running to the community, because they have made
connections and feel a since of belonging to the folks they have met.
Unfortunately these are not relationships that we can support. To answer
your other questions, sometimes they run together, sometimes they go
independent from one another. When they return to the house, we first
search them to ensure that they do not have any contraband material
(drugs, weapons, etc). They are then welcomed back and offered some
food. It is normally late, and they go to bed. Heather, can you tell me
more about the "reconnect work" that you are doing. Currently, our
safety planning occurs through informal discussions. Other risk
reduction strategies that have been implemented include "safety cards"
this is a card that the youth can carry in their wallet. It lists
important phone numbers and safety tips. Do you have any other ideas for
safety planning? Heather, you discussed a point system that affects
allowance. Unfortunately allowance is not an effective motivator for
these youth. They are able to meet these needs in the community. They
tell us that people "buy" them things. Can you suggest any other program
initiatives?
Sarah Davison
