AJR72: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3579/1

SRM:eev:jm

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 72

November 7, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Sargent, Czaja, Barnes, Johnson, Genrich, Bernier, Hesselbein, Spiros, Marklein, Murphy, A. Ott, Jorgensen, Berceau, Ballweg, Milroy, Zamarripa, Sinicki, Wachs, Hulsey, Kolste, Hintz, Ohnstad and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senators Harris, L. Taylor, Carpenter, Erpenbach and Lehman. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR72,1,1 Relating to: proclaiming November as Runaway Prevention Month.

AJR72,1,4 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

AJR72,1,7 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

AJR72,1,9 Whereas, 75 percent of homeless or runaway youth have dropped out or will drop out of school; and

AJR72,1,15 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

AJR72,2,4 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

AJR72,2,7 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

AJR72,2,9 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

AJR72,2,12 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

AJR72,2,14 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature hereby proclaims November as Runaway Prevention Month.

AJR72,2,15 (End)