Runaway shelters?

[Unregistered]

When a child goes to a runaway shelter for help and the parents are notified does the child have to return home against their will if the parents want them to? If not does the child have to state their reasoning for not wanting to be home or can they keep it to themselves?

[ccsmod8]

RE: Runaway Shelters?

Hello,

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us for support. We understand this must be a very difficult time for you. It sounds like you are interested in staying at a shelter. A shelters may have its benefits because it gives you a safe place to cool off from home. However, shelters are not able to harbor you. What this means is as a child you will need the permission of your parents to stay there.

If you were to go to a shelter you may have a 24-72 hour window before they need to contact your parents but some shelters need permission from your parents right away. Once a shelter notify your parents it is likely that your parents may be given the right to come get you if they do not want you to stay there. There may be times when their rights may be waivered but shelters has a policy in family reunification and will expect you to return home at some point.

Shelter workers are also mandated reporters and are expected to report abuse if that is what is happening. It depends on your story and how serious it is also. You are allowed to give your story to see what they need to do to keep you safe. We can never guarantee the outcome of your situation if you go to a shelter. We have resources for shelters. If you need some of your questions answered directly we can call with you if you were to call us. We will do our best to advocate for you. We hope you give us a call soon. We hope this response help clarify some things for you. Good luck.

-NRS