THE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IN 1976 WITH FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS FOR THE RUNAWAY YOUTH ACT. IT PROVIDES CRISIS CARE FOR YOUTHS THROUGH TEMPORARY SHELTERS, ASSISTANCE IN MEETING EMERGENCY MEDICAL OR LIVING EXPENSES, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, PROGRAM-SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, TUTORING, PROFESSIONAL AND PEER COUNSELING, RECREATION, REFERRAL, AND ADVOCACY IN DEALING WITH STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES OR WITH PARENTS. ALTHOUGH THE PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 19, IT ALSO SERVES POTENTIAL RUNAWAYS; YOUTH WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, OR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED; AND PARENTS OF SUCH YOUTHS. PROGRAM GOVERNANCE, ORGANIZATION, STAFF, FUNDING, SERVICES, INTAKE, CASE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, STATISTICS, AND EFFECTIVENESS ARE DESCRIBED IN INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE THE TEXT OF THE RUNAWAY YOUTH ACT, VERMONT'S FOSTER HOME STANDARDS, AND COPIES OF FORMS USED IN THE PROGRAM. ORGANIZATIONAL AND FLOW CHARTS ARE INCLUDED.