1. Jacob Campbell, Shireen Wheeler, Jennifer Boisen

2.  Homeless youth living without family make up 1% of the total urban homeless population  There were about 1,682,900 youth who ran away or were forced out of their homes in 2002  Many come from chaotic homes  Issues with school attendance  Face developing mental disorders, physical health issues and conduct disorder

3.  The importance of the environment  The milieu  Relationship with staff  Group Work  Skills  Relationships  Family Therapy  Reunification  Referrals

4.  Few recent studies on residential programs working with this population  Even fewer studies looked at the programs from the client’s perspective  Our study focuses mostly on client perspective

5.  Research Question:  What is the effectiveness of the CRC Directions Program for the financial grant years 2006-2008?  The objective is to analyze the impact that the Directions Program has on its clients and their families.  Identify procedures and interventions that need to be improved.  Give a voice to former clients and their families.  Aid other programs such as the Hope Centers and Basic Centers in addition to the CRC.

6.  Participants  Former clients of the CRC Directions Program, from between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2008, and their legal guardians  127 former clients and 127 adults  Data Collection Methods and Procedures  Client files will be studied  Surveys will be sent to the parents and the youth  GAIN-SS  In-depth one on one interview