2013 Assembly Joint Resolution 72
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming November as Runaway Prevention Month.
Whereas, the prevalence of running away from home and homelessness among youth is a rapidly growing concern, with studies suggesting that between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 young people live on the streets of the United States each year; and
Whereas, one in seven young people between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away, and juveniles between the ages of 12 and 17 are more at risk of homelessness than adults; and
Whereas, 75 percent of homeless or runaway youth have dropped out or will drop out of school; and
Whereas, young people who run away from home most often have been expelled from their homes by their families due to problems in the home, including physical and sexual abuse, mental health disorders of a family member, substance abuse or addiction of a family member, and parental neglect; and in some cases, young people are asked to leave the home because their families are unable to provide for their specific mental health or disability needs; and
Whereas, all across Wisconsin the problem of runaway and homeless youth is being brought to the public's attention through the partnerships created among families, community-based human service agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses; and
Whereas, members of the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services provided help to 2,163 runaways in face-to-face meetings, made over 60,000 contacts, and provided shelter to 924 runaways in 2012; and
Whereas, state legislators from both parties came together on March 12, 2013, to hold a symposium to address this growing problem in our state; and
Whereas, we must continue working together to identify resources to help homeless and runaway youth develop the skills necessary to succeed; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature hereby proclaims November as Runaway Prevention Month.
