Evidence-based Runaway Prevention Tool for Latino Communities

CHICAGO, July 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Runaway Safeline (NRS), the communication system for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth, today announced the release of its updated Spanish Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum (RPC). The curriculum is a free, evidence-based, interactive 14 module curriculum intended to educate young people about alternatives to running away as well as to build life skills so that youth can resolve problems without resorting to running away or unsafe behavior.

"We want our youth to be empowered, and we understand the importance of delivering culturally appropriate materials to our Spanish speaking communities nationwide. The release of the updated Spanish version of the Let's Talk curriculum will help our youth to make informed decisions about alternatives to running away," says Rafael López, Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Last year, with the First Nonprofit Foundation's support, NRS conducted a desktop review of the RPC. The grant provided NRS an opportunity to make sure that this valuable tool remains up-to-date and relevant and continues to address issues that youth are facing. The review not only resulted in adding new NRS branding and updated statistics to the curriculum but also the addition of new material on relational violence and human trafficking. The updated RPC, English version, was released in June 2015. This year, with funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. DHHS, NRS was able to translate the updated RPC into Spanish.  

"In 2015, 17% of individuals in crisis connecting to NRS identified as being Hispanic or Latino," reports Maureen Blaha, NRS Executive Director. "By providing our Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum in Spanish, we are helping Spanish-speaking youth build critical coping-mechanism skills."       

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum was developed to use in its entirety or as individual modules or activities, and it provides users with over 40 easy-to-use, youth approved activities on various topics. Through the curriculum, NRS is able to help youth-serving organizations across the country teach valuable skills to youth while ensuring that youth learn about NRS and know how to access 1-800-RUNAWAY and 1800RUNAWAY.org for help. To download the free Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum in English or Spanish, visit 1800RUNAWAY.org/providers-educators.

The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) makes more than 250,000 connections to help and hope through hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY), online (1800RUNAWAY.org), texting (66008) and offline resources. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. More than 15,000 youth have been reunited with their families through NRS' Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. For more information, visit 1800RUNAWAY.org.

SOURCE National Runaway Safeline

Related Links

http://www.1800RUNAWAY.org/