from as few as 250,000 to as many as This regional study compares homeless ^his art'c^e Presents a study of 2.5 million, with estimated increases m md nonhomekss youths who sought homeless youths m the southeastern homelessness ranging from 10 to 38 , ,. , , ,, . . , , United States who came to runaway percent annually. Families with chile ^u r^naway s e ^rs m ei& shelters for help and compares these dren are the fastest escalating homeless southeastern states. Both groups youths with nonhomeless youths who group and now constitute nearly 38 perreported a range of personal, family, came to the same shelters. The study in cent of the U.S. homeless population and school problems, but the problems vestigated the personal, family, and (Select Committee on Children, Youth, of the homeless group were more school problems of homeless youths, and Families, 1987). chronic than those of the nonhomeless The findings are examined in light of ex There are five major types of youths group. Although homeless youths isting service systems for youths, and who become homeless. First, youths received more services from shelters service recommendations for homeless who already are members of homeless than nonhomeless youths, the prognosis y°uths are offered, families often are separated from those jrQr former was grim^ Most lacked families. Many shelters for homeless stM supportive famUy to which Method families do not serve older youths, ,, ,, ? ,/ , , especially males, who are perceived as ey cou re urn. any a rea y were ^ sizable population of homeless disruptive and unruly (Select Commitmchms of a fragmented child welfare y0Uths seeks help at runaway shelters, tee on Children, Youth, and Families, system that offered bleak alternative Between 1985 and 1988, 21 percent 1987). Youths from homeless families living arrangements. The authors pre(n 9,179) of youths served by federally may be placed in the foster care or sent recommendations for services that funded shelters were homeless (General emergency shelter system and conseare integrated into a continuum of care Accounting Office, 1989). The data col quently experience disintegration of ties for homeless youths. lected for this study of homeless youths with their families. In 1985, the state who sought help at shelters in the south of New Jersey conducted a study that eastern United States were analyzed to found homelessness of families was the ascertain the characteristics of the major or secondary factor for placement under pressure the youths reluctantly do homeless youths who sought help; the of 40 percent of youths in foster care so. These youths often are forced out bereasons the youths were not living at (Tomaszewicz, 1985). cause of the family's economic problems home; where the youths came from and Second, youths leave home to escape and instability. who referred them; the family, school, physical and sexual abuse. The most A fourth group of homeless youths are and personal problems the youths re dramatic abuse statistics came from a doubly homeless. They are ejected or ported; the services youths received at study of street youths in Denver. Of the removed from homes at an early age bethe shelter; and what happened to the chronically homeless youths surveyed, cause of family abuse, neglect, orunwillyouths after they left the shelter. 85 percent had been victims of abuse ingness or inability to care for them. They The Southeastern Network of Youth while living at home (Oleson, 1986). are taken into state custody and placed and Family Services is a nonprofit mem Other studies have reported maltreatin unsuitable and inappropriate settings, bership organization of youth and fami ment histories among homeless youths When the placements become intolerly service centers in eight southeastern at less alarming rates (General Accountable, these youths leave for the streets, states. The network provides members ing Office, 1989; Greater Boston AdoThe fifth group of homeless youths are with training, technical assistance, lescent Emergency Network, 1985; members of minority groups who have information, and data collection and Kufeldt & Nimmo, 1987; Powers, Jakimmigrated unaccompanied to the United analysis. Member agencies include litsch, & Eckenrode, 1988). States and are attempting to make themlarge, multiservice agencies and agen A third group of homeless youths are selves inconspicuous. Because they have cies that operate single-focus programs, thrown or pushed out of their homes by no legal status and may face deportation The common link among these agencies parents or guardians. The caretakers if identified, they try to avoid governis that they provide services such as want the youths to leave home, and ment notice. They are prime targets for temporary shelter, counseling, and