RESEARCH TOPICS

RESEARCH BY TOPIC

Research in this area was conducted throughout Canada and the United States. Studies involved interviewing both street youth and service providers. Many of the street youth interviewed were either living on the street, residing in a shelter or using shelter services (such as drop-ins), or had exited street life. A significant number of the studies involved crisis shelters which provided short-term services, such as food, health care, etc. Adolescents as young as 12 and as old as 23 were the subjects of the majority of the studies.

The overwhelming and critical finding of these "general" studies was the need for comprehensive service provision and similarly, a repeated need for a coordinated system of care amongst service providers. For example, one particular study discusses the development of a "dynamic model" which, according to its author, "...provides common ground upon which practitioners, administrators, policy makers, and research communities can consider the impact and effectiveness of policy and service."¹ Another study provided concrete examples of coordination amongst service providers in this area.² For instance, the authors noted that some of the agencies serving street youth would schedule their hours of operation specifically when other agencies were closed in order to provide a continuum of services to these youth. The authors also advocated for standards of care (i.e., best practices) to be developed so that the service sector could be effectively evaluated. The need for comprehensive services was highlighted in the article entitled "Familial backgrounds and risk behaviors of youth with thrownaway experiences."³ The authors noted that "thrownaway" youth who demonstrate high-risk behaviors (e.g., attempting suicide, using substances, etc.) and have familial problems have a high need for comprehensive services such as intensive counseling and drug treatment or intervention services. Kurtz et. al argued for the need for a "...flexible, coordinated, community-based continuum of immediate, intermediate and long-term care to provide for the basic needs, psychological growth and career development of homeless youths."⁴

Another related and critical finding within the research is that services must be tailored to the youth's individual needs and circumstances. One recent study entitled "Stories of working with homeless youth: On being 'mind-boggling'" expresses the need for service providers to be highly versatile and recognize the youths' diverse circumstances and tailor "...means of engagement and expectations in ways that recognize the unique challenges of homelessness and the pasts that put them on the street. To connect the worker needs to listen, value, not judge, respect, and like youths who have experienced very little of any of these things."⁵

Much of the specific research has focused upon examining the personal strengths of youth and particular attention has been paid to the ways in which the street youth have used informal and formal resources to survive street life. Survival strategies are routinely considered, including, "survival sex" and "squeegeeing". A major theme within a number of these studies is the issue of "coping." One particular study highlighted the development of "street smarts" by homeless youth as a means by which these youth are able to survive on the street.6 In terms of service provision, the authors advocate that practitioners use a "strengths perspective" in order to "...empower their clients to become masters of their own lives." The study suggests that "...effective programs are those that target the skills and capabilities of those served and offers providers a means to engage these youth that does not involve acting as quasi-parents or guardians."

One of the key components in terms of service provision is the importance of valuing and respecting the street youth. Service providers must be mindful of providing safe and respectful environments. Critical service delivery components include counseling, life-skills training, job creation, peer support, family therapy, and child care. Education is repeatedly mentioned as a crucial aspect of support services.⁷ Innovative programs such as telephone "helplines" are explored within the research as well. Some of the articles examine the balance between providing assistance and fostering independence.

Early intervention is cited as critical in service delivery programs (i.e., before the youth becomes firmly entrenched in street life and before a permanent break from family is made). Moreover, when interventions with street youth are made, child or youth centered approaches are the preferred method of service delivery. Another important component of support to street youth involves family intervention, in particular, in cases of abuse, and the need for strengthening family relationships. As one study notes: "...shelters are required to focus on reunification of youths with their parent(s). This policy may place these youth at further risk for future victimization if additional services are not provided to aid in the reunification process. Thus, providing after-care services, such as family-oriented interventions to support youth and their parents, may be particularly valuable in successful, long-term reunification."⁸

Some of the articles cited focus upon the issue of staff-client conflict as well as barriers to service delivery (e.g., rules, issues of confidentiality, and mandated reporting). In terms of the research regarding service provision for street youth, a majority of the studies involve the street youth themselves and "participatory action research" is repeatedly mentioned in the literature. Giving a voice to street youth is often mentioned as important for both service delivery programs and research projects. For instance, one study highlights the numerous opportunities for street youth to make contributions to programs including, deciding on a name or choosing an emblem or logo for the program. Further, the youths can be encouraged to decorate and maintain their living space.⁹ A number of the studies call for further research in order to examine the most effective services for street youth, both long- and short-term. One of the particular issues regarded as important in this area of research includes the ethical considerations regarding adolescent consent.

Finally, some specific guidance regarding the specific steps involved in developing homeless youth services is emerging in the literature (e.g., drop ins)¹⁰

_{¹K. M. Staller, "Runaway Youth System Dynamics: A Theoretical Framework for Analyzing Runaway and Homeless Youth Policy", Families in Society, Vol. 85, No. 3, pp. 379-390, July-September 2004.
²Ronald A. Brooks et. al, "The system-of-care for homeless youth: perceptions of service providers", Evaluation and Program Planning, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 443-451, November 2004.
3Christopher L. Ringwalt, et. al., Journal of Adolescence, Vol 21, pp. 241-252, 1998
⁴"Problems of Homeless Youths: Empirical Findings and Human Services Issues," Social Work, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 309-314, July 1991.
⁵S. A. Kidd, et. al, "Stories of working with homeless youth: On being 'mind-boggling," Children and Youth Services Review, Vol. 29(1), pp. 16-34, January 2007.
⁶Kimberly Bender, et. al, "Capacity for survival: Exploring strengths of homeless street youth," Child and Youth Care Forum, Vol. 36(1), pp. 25-42, February 2007.
⁷See S. J. Thompson, et. al, "Runaway Youth Utilizing Crisis Shelter Services: Predictors of Presenting Problems," Child and Youth Care Forum, Vol. 33(6), pp. 387-404, December 2004.
⁸See S. J. Thompson, et. al, "Runaway Youth Utilizing Crisis Shelter Services: Predictors of Presenting Problems," Child and Youth Care Forum, Vol. 33(6), pp. 387-404, December 2004.
⁹V. Veeran, Working With Street Children: A Child-centered Approach," Child Care in Practice, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 359-366, October 2004.
¹⁰10N. Slesnick et al, "How to open and sustain a drop in for homeless youth.", Children and Youth Services Review, 30, pp.727-734, 2008.}