Authorizing the Mayor to submit a grant application for funding of the "Runaway Shelter" for the year 1980

Home Browse Search

N. A. History, Goals, and Future Directions Of Program The Youth Service Bureau Runaway Shelter is in the process of com- pleting its fourth year of existence. During these four years the Shelter program has undergone a number of changes in pro [Tam policies and pro- cedures. We have also developed a practicing philosophy using family systems theory as a base. Initially, the Shelter program was in a state of constant change and growth. Policies and procedures were continually being altered as the need for more structure and a clearer understanding of our purpose and goals developed. With this growth the decision emerged that the Shelter was a treatment facility as opposed to a temporary holding place for adolescents in crisis. Once this decision was established and ac- cepted by the program staff, the focus shifted to searching for an appro- priate philosophical base to other shelter care facilities, experience in operation, numerous meetings, discussions and consultations with parents, youth and experts in the field, family systems theory developed as our basic operating philosophy. As a result of a clear definition of purpose and direction in which to grow, the Shelter program was able to examine existing policies and procedures and seek additional training in order to continue development of a systems based program. A training proposal was written to address this issue. A major goal for the Shelter program is to seek funding for our family systems training proposal. The proposal has been submitted to various funding organizations during the past year. While these or- ganizations have supported our proposal in theory they have not been able to provide us with any funding. She staff have continued to seek funding and currently the likelihood of funding is bright. A major goal for the new grant period, once the money is secured, is to begin the training and implement the family systems based theory throughout all facets of the Shelter program. During the four years of operation, emphasis was also placed on meeting the Youth Development Bureau program performance guidelines. After our initial validation visit the need for meeting state licensing requirements for group homes was brought to our attention as was the need for obtaining parental permission and having this documented in the client files. Procedures for admittance to the Shelter and coun- seling policies were revised and as stated earlier it became clear that more structure was needed in the daily schedule and operation of the Shelter. Currently the Shelter is in compliance with all of the program per- formance guidelines. Some, however, to a minimal degree. One of the goals for the new grant period is to strengthen our program in order to corrPletely meet the guidelines. This would result in having a clearly defined and implemented operation including stated procedures, instruc- tions, and follow through, from the initial intake to termination of services.