HHS’ Administration for Children and Families’ Crisis Services and Prevention Report Shows Youth are Reaching Out for Support Before Running Away

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released the 2020 Crisis Services and Prevention Data Report , which reveals the number of youth reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) before running away from home has increased by 27 percent since 2019. The number of youth residing at home at the time of contact in 2020 was 13,925, which grew from 10,986 in 2019. During 2020, the number of youth under the age of 15 who connected with NRS’ Crisis Services Center was 5,353 versus 3,500 in 2019; an increase of 53 percent. This includes youth under the age of 12 reaching out 619 times in 2020, as compared to 284 times in 2019.

“Every child deserves the services and supports they need to be safe and thrive. The National Runaway Safeline is an important tool to prevent housing instability and homelessness for some of our most vulnerable children and youth,” said ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary JooYeun Chang.

Digital communications, including chat, email, and forums are becoming increasingly preferred by youth seeking crisis support. The number of contacts using the chat service grew from 16,361 in 2019 to 18,956 in 2020, an increase of 16 percent.

Youth also needed more help securing local referrals in times of crisis. NRS staff discussed referral options with 500 more contacts and made 500 more referrals to resources such as shelters and mental health services, in 2020 than in 2019.

“Behind each contact, is a young person who was worried, but who had the courage to ask for help,” said FYSB Acting Associate Commissioner Debbie A. Powell. “It is my hope that more youth will continue to access our resources, such as the National Runaway Safeline, when needed.”

The report reinforces the importance of supporting organizations and programs working to prevent run away incidents and end youth homelessness. Critical information about the needs of youth who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and how these programs and communities nationwide can meet the needs of youth in crisis is highlighted. It also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people experiencing homelessness. The pandemic left many shelters unable to take on additional clients and, when adequate housing could be found, transportation to the shelters was extremely limited. When combined with the lack of access to case management services, mental health services, school support systems, and drop-in centers, this heightened the anxiety that homelessness naturally causes.

In 2020, 88 percent of contacts reported family dynamics were a reason for crisis intervention, compared with 57 percent of contacts in 2019. Notably, in 2020, the “family dynamics” category included contacts indicating they were reaching out specifically because of COVID-19 over 500 times. In addition, the number of contacts who cited mental health as a reason for reaching out to NRS grew from 4,690 in 2019 to 6,099 in 2020, an increase of 30 percent.

The 2020 Crisis Services and Prevention Data Report provides a snapshot on what thousands of vulnerable youth faced in 2020, and the reasons for seeking help.

The National Runaway Safeline operates the National Communications System for Runaway and Homeless Youth 24/7 with hotline and online services.

All ACF news releases, fact sheets and other materials are available on the ACF Media Room page. Follow ACF on Twitter for more updates.

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