Recognizing Importance Of Youth Runaway Prevention

Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 779 for consideration. This resolution recognizes the importance of youth runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs. House Resolution 779 was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative JUDY BIGGERT of Illinois, on September 25, 2009, and was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee December 10, 2009, by unanimous consent. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of 55 Members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, according to the National Runaway Switchboard, between 1.6 million and 2.8 million young people run away from home every year. As additionally noted by The New York Times in an October 25, 2009, article on this issue of runaway youth, this societal problem is growing. Specifically, The New York Times reported that the number of contacts made by federally financed outreach programs with runaways increased to 761,000 in 2008, and that was up from 550,000 in 2002, the year that the current methods of counting began.

Notably, National Runaway Switchboard reports that among those young people at greatest risk of running away and facing homelessness are those that have been expelled from school, those that have suffered domestic abuse, and those that have been discharged by State custodial systems without the benefit of an adequate transitional planning program. Additionally, young people who have separated from their parents by death or divorce, live in poverty, and/or are unable to access adequate or mental health resources are similarly at risk of running away and becoming homeless. And the National Runaway Switchboard also reports that youth homelessness affects males and females equally, although females are more likely to seek help through shelters and hotlines.

Despite these concerning reports and statistical programs, there are efforts, such as The National Network for Youth and the National Runaway Switchboard, that provide effective support to runaway youth and assist young people and their families in remaining together by developing partnerships with families, community-based agencies, schools, and faith-based organizations.

These two programs offer invaluable services, including advocacy on behalf of the runaway youth and their families, crisis intervention, and various forms of community-based support to address critical needs. In addition, the two programs have worked together to cosponsor National Runaway Prevention Month, which occurs in November, and attempts to increase public awareness of the life circumstances of youth in high-risk situations and the need for safe, healthy, and productive alternatives, resources and support for runaway youth and their families.

Madam Speaker, in light of the prevalence of the problem of runaway youth as well as youth homelessness, let us take this opportunity to join Mrs. Biggert of Illinois to pass House Resolution 779 and recognize the important role that youth runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs play in addressing these issues.

Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join Mrs. Biggert in supporting H. Res. 779, and I reserve the balance of our time.

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