This funding opportunity will support the establishment and operation of a National Communications System (Hotline) for youth who have run away, or are considering running away, and their families.In the early 1970s an alarming number of youth were leaving home without parental permission, crossing State

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lines and while away, from home, were exposed to exploitation and other dangers of street life.

The National Communication System (NCS) was established in 1974 to address the interstate nature of the runaway and homeless youth problem.

To fulfill the objectives of the legislation, NCS must be able to provide a neutral and confidential channel of communication that is available on a 24-hour per day, 365-day per year basis throughout the United States.

The system must be able to identify resources for runaway and homeless youth in the areas where the youth are located; provide pre-runaway prevention counseling and identify resources for youth who are contemplating running away; provide crisis intervention to clients, when appropriate, to address problems and/or issues surface during telephone contact; address access to transportation services for this purpose; allow f amilies/guardians to leave messages or have conference calls with runaway youth, and provide families/guardians with advice and referrals to agencies that may be able to assist them.

This includes linkages with shelters, counseling, medical assistance, and other vital services.During the year 2010, the NCS hotline handled over 93,000 calls from runaway and homeless youth and their families, provided thousands of referrals to social service agencies, and conducted numerous conference calls with parents and legal guardians on behalf of runaway and homeless youth.