North Texas Youth Connection

24-hour Crisis Hotline 1-800-568-7776

About North Texas Youth Connection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q.  Are you a detention facility?

A.  No.  We are a voluntary, temporary placement for homeless, runaway and abused youth ages 10-17.  Those youth charged with crimes are referred elsewhere for both their safety and the safety of our other residents.

Q.  How do children become homeless?

A.  Unfortunately, the majority of the youth in our shelter have been removed from their family due to abuse.  Others run away, often also because of abuse issues.  Still others have been abandoned by their parents who decided they don’t want the children anymore.  Families that are homeless but intact are referred to other shelters in the area.

Q.  How many homeless children do you house each year?

A.  Too many.  Last year, we provided a home to 125 children.  We are licensed to house up to 14 children at a time.  Tension caused by a depressed economy or tragedies such as the recent hurricanes often cause our numbers to increase dramatically as families struggle with additional stressors.

Q.  Where do the children go when they leave you?

A.  It depends upon their situation and what is in their best interest.  If they are runaway, we work with the family to move the child back home.  If they are placed here by CPS due to abuse or neglect, we work closely with their CPS caseworker to prepare them for their permanent placement, which may be returning to their family, a foster family, or if they have medical needs, a residential treatment center.  The hardest cases are those who turn 18 while in our care.  Please visit our transitional living page for more information about children who "age out" of the system.

Q.  Is your counseling program really free?

A.  Yes.  We provide free counseling to youth ages 0-17 and their families who are experiencing a crisis or truancy issues.  The program includes sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor and weekly group sessions for the youth and for the parents.

Q.  Is every family eligible for counseling?

A.  For the most part, yes.  Those with an active CPS case or children who have been adjudicated already qualify for services elsewhere, and therefore are not covered by our program.  Last year we provided counseling to over 1,300 families.

Q.  If I live in a different county, do I still qualify for counseling?

A.  Yes.  Our offices provide the STAR Family Connection program in Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Hunt, Cooke, Wise, Montague, Archer, Clay and Wichita Counties.  If you live in a different county, we can refer you to the services provided in your county.

Q.  Are your Universal Child Abuse Prevention (UCAP) meeting series open to the public?

A.  Yes.  Everyone from the public is invited to attend these free meetings, six per year, designed to increase knowledge and awareness of child maltreatment and promote positive parenting.  Meetings are announced in local media, on our website, or call the office for details.  Documentation of training hours are available for youth workers.

Q.  How does my teen become involved in the yearly Youth Advocacy Council, or the Leadership Forum or Diversity Conference?

A.  Each of these involves an application and selection process, and the teens must be in good standing with their school.  Applications are available from their high school counselor, or by contacting our office.  In 2004, we selected 90 students for the Leadership Forum.  Our Diversity Conference is scheduled for 12/1/05.

Q.  How do I get a Responsive Attentive Peers (RAP) group started at my school or organization?

A.  Our Outreach Department is always open to suggestions for new RAP group locations, subject to their having the time to properly present the groups.  Last year we provided RAP groups to over 1,350 students.  Contact Outreach for more information.

Q.  Will you come speak to my organization about your programs?

A.  Absolutely!  Just contact either our Executive Director or Development Director.

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