Alternative Youth Services to Youth and Family Crisis Centers: A Brief History

摘要

This report is concerned with trends in the delivery of alternative youth services. Historical developments in the alternative youth service movement, primarily during the 1960's and 1970's, are reviewed. Specific alternative service projects are detailed in terms of collaboration with other agencies, funding, and services offered. The establishment of runaway or crisis centers for youth is discussed, particularly in relation to the synthesis of traditional and alternative agencies. The philosophical growth of the alternative youth service movement is traced. Alternative youth service projects are defined as programs outside the traditional agency structure that are self - critical, focus on the process of how decisions are made and implemented, minimize bureaucracy, maximize client services and accountability to clients, and provide easily accessible and voluntary services. It is pointed out, however, that this definition is generally applicable to alternative projects in their middle stage of evolution and that changing political and social developments have signficantly influenced the direction of such projects. The legislative history of the alternative youth service movement is outlined, and factors stimulating alternative service agencies to adopt more comprehensive and multiservice approaches to youth problems are considered. Implications of the multiservice approach are explored with respect to four trends: (1) runaway centers are serving not only runaways but also youth in need of other services; (2) runaway centers are offering both traditional and alternative services; (3) runaway centers are focusing on both adults and youth and the community at large; and (4) runaway centers are joining with other community - based youth programs to form coalitions on the State level. A bibliography is provided.