Various situations which can cause children to decide to run away from home are described. These include flight from difficult home situations and family arguments and escape from boredom. Usually children run away because of the combined effects of several of these problems. Problems which runaways can encounter on the road include sexual exploitation, physical attack, involvement in criminal activity, and development of a transient lifestyle. Generally, runaways find conditions worse on the road than at home. Sources of help include two national hotline programs (the National Runaway Switchboard and Operation Peace of Mind) which provide runaways with a toll-free telephone number to deliver messages to parents. The programs also arrange referrals to local assistance programs. Local shelters offer runaways places to stay for short periods, provide counseling services, and help runaways establish linkages with their families. Local programs also offer counseling and alternatives to help potential runaways before they leave home. Special shelter programs have been developed to assist the large number of young runaways who have become involved in prostitution. Telephone numbers for national hotlines are given and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of local runaway shelters are listed alphabetically by State. An index is provided.