TREATING EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY WAS AN IDEA WHICH AROSE IN THE EARLY 1960'S. THE CENTERS FUNDED UNDER THIS MOVEMENT HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED AS BEING TOO STRUCTURED AND TOO BOUND BY THE DEMANDS OF PROFESSIONALS. RUNAWAY CENTERS FOR ADOLESCENTS, HOWEVER, HAVE GENERALLY BEEN FOUNDED BY NONPROFESSIONALS IN RESPONSE TO GENUINE COMMUNITY NEED. THEY ARE FLEXIBLE, OFFERING COUNSELING TO SEVERELY DISTURBED YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND OFFER A VARIETY OF OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN A CREATIVE WAY. THEY TRULY SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES; NATIONALLY MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE STAYING IN THE 130 RUNAWAY CENTERS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELFARE OFFICE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT HAVE TRAVELED LESS THAN 10 MILES FROM THEIR HOMES. THEY PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES 24-HOURS A DAY, OUTPATIENT SERVICES, INPATIENT SERVICES, 'DAY HOSPITAL' PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH WHO LIVE ELSEWHERE BUT COME TO THE CENTER FOR COUNSELING, CONSULTATION AND EDUCATION SERVICES, AND HEALTH SCREENING SERVICES. MOST ALSO HAVE FOLLOWUP CARE AND TRANSITIONAL SERVICES. MANY ALSO ARRANGE TO PROVIDE ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT. THESE SPECIALIZED COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS FOCUS ON ADOLESCENTS. YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY ARE SERVED ONLY WHEN THEY ARE PART OF THE FAMILY OF THE PERSON WHO HAS RUN FROM HOME. THEY ARE DELIBERATELY LOCATED SO AS TO BE ACCESSIBLE. THESE CENTERS CAN BE MODELS FOR OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES FOR PERSONS IN CRISIS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)