Authorizing the Mayor to submit to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare a grant application under Title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974

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The bureau was fortunate in that a suitable facility for the shelter was im- mediately available. The Y.W.C.A. of St. Joseph County operated a group home for girls at 520 North Lafayette. The home was forced to close due to funding diffi- culties. Almost all interior work has been done to have it licensed as a group home by the State Department of Public Welfare. The home is near the downtown area. It is on a bus line and generally easily accessible. As described in the following pages it is a very spacious home. The third floor of the house is reserved exclusively for the use of the live -in coun- selors. The bureau was fortunate to have the full cooperation and technical assistance of a great many people actively involved in the community. Consultation services are provided by the following agencies: Juvenile Probation Department, Department of Public Welfare, the Family and Childrens Center, The Y.W.C.A., the Mental Health Center, and Legal Services of St. Joseph County. These consultative services con- stitute the in -kind contribution required through our grant with H.E.W. In addition to these agencies the Youth Service Bureau executive committee provides active guidance to the bureau and specifically to the operation of the runaway shelter. The shelter seeks to serve the multi -needs of runaways and youth in trouble. Youth are referred to us in a variety of ways. As we've become better known youth either come to the bureau or the shelter itself. The police agencies (South Bend, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County and Indiana State Police) use the facility regularly. The Department of Public Welfare uses the shelter as a temporary home for youth awaiting placement in foster or group homes, as well as those awaiting placement in an institution. No youth awaiting placement in a correctional facility is placed at the shelter. The shelter can house ten youth. A working agreement with the Y.W.C.A. pro- vides temporary housing on occasion when there is an overflow. The shelter pro- vides room and board for all residents. In addition individual and family coun-