Service utilization among homeless and runaway youth in Los Angeles, California: rates and reasons

Interventions With Street Youth: A Commentary on the Practice-Based Research Literature

“…The literature consistently called for an integrated and comprehensive approach to service provision that focuses on the individual needs of street youth (Bronstein, 1996;Cauce et al, 1994;De Rosa et al, 1999;Fitzgerald, 1995;Karabanow, in press;Kidd, 2003;Robertson & Toro, 1991;Taylor, Brooks, Phanidis, & Rossmo, 1991). Street youth are a diverse group, consisting of individuals with unique backgrounds and characteristics, including culture, age, sexual orientation, and family situations (Karabanow, 2003;Kurtz, Jarvis, & Kurtz, 1991;Robertson & Toro, 1991;Unger, Kipke, Simon, Montgomery, & Johnson, 1997;Zide & Cherry, 1992).…”

“…Shelters provide basic needs of food, shelter, and safety (De Rosa et al, 1999;Hicks-Coolick et al, 2003;Karabanow, 2002). Antoniades and Tarasuk (1998) reported that almost two-thirds of the 88 street youth they interviewed in Toronto experienced problems getting enough food.…”

“…Programs may include long-and medium-term housing (Stanton, Kennedy, Spingarn, & Rotheram-Borus, 2000); educational services (Fitzgerald, 1995); job and skills training (Teare et al, 1994); therapy and counseling (Price, 1989); crisis intervention, legal services, and medical services (Reuler, 1991); and recreational activities such as art and music (Kallander & Levings, 1996;Karabanow, 1999;Ray & Roloff, 1993). Shelters are often viewed as a gateway for youth to access other services (De Rosa et al, 1999;Karabanow, 2002;Robertson & Toro, 1999).…”

“…Shelters and drop-ins are the most common services accessed by street youth (De Rosa et al, 1999;Karabanow, 1999;McCarthy & Hagan, 1992). In their sample of 296 street youth in Los Angeles, De Rosa et al (1999) reported that 40% used shelters, while 78% used drop-ins.…”

“…In their sample of 296 street youth in Los Angeles, De Rosa et al (1999) reported that 40% used shelters, while 78% used drop-ins. Further, mean levels of street youth satisfaction with services were highest with drop-ins (2.60, with 1, not satisfied; 3, very satisfied), as youth perceived that they were provided greater flexibility, less paperwork, and less necessity to disclose personal information (De Rosa et al, 1999). Teare et al (1994) also provided evidence of street youth who were satisfied with an emergency shelter in Boys Town, or the Father Flanagan's Boys' Home.…”