National Resources

National Runaway Safeline
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a non-profit organization committed to keeping runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Founded in 1971, NRS serves as the home for the federally supported National Communication System (NCS) and crisis line for youth and families, providing critical crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, NRS makes hundreds of thousands of connections to help and
hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), online (1800RUNAWAY.org), and prevention services.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom, local care and resources with national standards and best practices. Learn more here.

Childhelp
This nonprofit is the largest organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect as well as at-risk children. Their 24/7 hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to emergency, social service, and support resources. Available at 1-800-422-4453 or click here to learn more.

love is respect
love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources. Available at 1-866-331-9474 and learn more here.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation. Available at 1-800-843-5678 and click here to learn more.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly trained advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or click here to learn more.

National Human Trafficking Hotline
Operated by Polaris, the National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. Available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888 or click here to learn more.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many new moms feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after the baby is born. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call 1-833-852-6262 or click here to learn more.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673 or learn more here.

Safe Place
Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program operated by National Safe Place Network for young people under the age of 18 (up to 21 years of age in some communities) in need of immediate help and safety. As a collaborative community prevention initiative, Safe Place designates businesses and organizations as Safe Place locations, making help readily available to youth in communities across the country. Safe Place locations include: libraries, YMCAs, fire stations, public buses, various businesses, and social service facilities. Learn more here.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, and offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors. Available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 or learn more here.

Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Available at 1-877-565-8860 or learn more here.

Other Resources

National Network for Youth (NN4Y)
www.nn4youth.org
The National Network for Youth has been serving the youth of America for more than 30 years by championing the needs of runaway, homeless and other disconnected youth. They are a membership organization that provides advocacy, innovation and services.

Start Your Recovery
https://startyourrecovery.org/
Offers people who are dealing with substance use issues reputable, objective information about signs, symptoms, conditions, treatment options, and resources.

Alcohol Help
https://www.alcoholhelp.com/alcohol/underage-drinking/
Offers comprehensive information about alcohol abuse and addiction, including underage drinking and it’s impact on physical and mental health.

Fiscal Tiger’s Resources for Those Living in Poverty.
https://www.fiscaltiger.com/resources-for-those-living-in-poverty/
A list of nationwide resources targeted at basic needs: healthcare, food assistance, education, and shelter. 

National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
www.endhomelessness.org
The National Alliance analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective policy solutions. They work collaboratively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, leading to stronger programs and policies that help communities achieve their goal of ending homelessness. They can provide data and research to policymakers and elected officials in order to inform policy debates and educate the public and opinion leaders nationwide.

Alone without a Home: A State-by-State Review of Laws Affecting Unaccompanied Youth 

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
www.naehcy.org
A national grassroots membership association, NAEHCY serves as the voice and the social conscience for the education of children and youth in homeless situations. NAEHCY connects educators, parents, advocates, researchers, and service providers to ensure school enrollment and attendance, and overall success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe, permanent, and adequate housing.

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
www.serve.org/nche
The Center provides research, resources, and information enabling communities to address the educational needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Association of Child and Youth Care Practice, Inc. (ACYCP)
www.acycp.org
The ACYCP is a membership organization of state and regional associations, child and youth care agencies, and professionals committed to improving the field of child and youth care and the promotion and development of professional competencies.

National Youth Development Information Center (NYDIC)
www.nydic.org
National Youth Development Information Center is a one-stop website for youth workers with interest in any and all of the following areas: funding, programming, research, policy, job and training opportunities. NYDIC also provides current news to the youth development field and has one of the largest online libraries, providing practice-related information at low-cost or no cost. NYDIC provides constant opportunities for practitioners to share knowledge and experience, enabling them to build the best practice in the field of youth development.

Quit Day
https://quitday.org/support/teens/
At QuitDay, our mission is to help people add 10 healthy years to their lives. Smoking and tobacco addiction reduces quality of life for millions of people each year. Our team strives to inspire people to quit smoking, and have a positive impact on the lives of their loved ones and their children.

How to Discipline a Runaway Child & Consequences

Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative
http://savingteens.org/
SavingTeens provides support for families who, due to financial limitations, would be unable to pursue appropriate wilderness and/or residential therapy programs, or complete aftercare counseling without scholarship support.