Orange County NC Website
TEENS IN CRISIS <br />PROBLEMS /ISSUES /GAPS <br />-Need for centralized and coordinated services: <br />-Accessible <br />- Affordable <br />-Need for more in- county residential treatment facilities for <br />teens in crisis: <br />-Short and long -term group homes <br />- Specialized foster care homes <br />-- Respite care <br />-Youth services need to "reach out" to teens: <br />--Need to be located in more accessible environments, such <br />as schools and recreations centers <br />-Need to be targeted toward specific teen groups: <br />racial, social, and economic <br />-Need to be directed toward children at earliest possible <br />age <br />-Need better coordination of public and private resources <br />2 <br />-Need for community coordinators to link churches with <br />established organizations. <br />- Agencies need to be more involved in disseminating information. <br />-Need home visits for teens in crisis. <br />-Need for more volunteers. <br />-Need for funding for a program to supervise youths after <br />school, during vacations and snow days. <br />3TATUS RECOMMENDATIONS /STRATEGIES <br />1.Support a youth services ombudsman: A person or office <br />that youth could easily contact for assistance in <br />identifying resources and to offer peer counseling. <br />'Zompleted A Management Assistant has been hired, with youth <br />coordination being a major work responsibility. The <br />position is located in the County Manager's office. <br />