The county's shelter program for runaway and homeless youth began in 1980. Services include an emergency shelter that includes meals and emergency medical care, a hotline, and comprehensive case management. The youth served have few coping mechanisms, come from all socioeconomic levels, and increasingly come from families where the parents are alcoholics and drug abusers. The program has often been cited by parents and youth as having made the significant difference that changed the course of the young person's life. The program benefits from both direct government services and from programs provided by nonprofit agencies under contract with the county. During these times of tight fiscal constraints, Federal funds are more and more urgently needed. Therefore, Federal support should be provided for coordinating programs for runaway and homeless youth, using youth bureau structures where they exist.