Youth and Family Crisis Services: Innovative Approaches to Service Delivery Towards Social Change and a New Youth Policy

摘要

This report is concerned with alternative human service programs, such as hotlines, crisis centers, runaway houses, and help centers, for youth and family needs in the event of a crisis. The runaway youth is most likely to be female, 15 years of age, and found within 10 miles of her home. It will almost certainly be the case that her family as a whole will be in need of help. Historical trends in the development of alternative human service programs and client characteristics are reviewed. Closely related values of alternative agencies include support of youth rights, emphasis on youth participation in agency decisionmaking, and belief in individual self - determination. A discussion of the role of helper and client is presented, followed by an examination of accessible services and community involvement, a wholistic approach to human needs and helping relationships, and characteristics of alternative agency management. Innovations in service delivery resulting from the alternative human service movement are discussed, and significant elements in the evolution of the organizational structure of alternative agencies are examined. Issues for further consideration with regard to the alternative service movement and collaboration between alternative and traditional agencies are identified. Illustrations of programs employing innovative approaches to service delivery are included throughout the report, and a listing of various agency approaches is appended.