Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) presents the curriculum atthe press conference as DePaul University's Dr. Gary Harper and NRS Executive Director Maureen Blaha look on.
On August 29th, the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) and U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) unveiled Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum to help keep youth safe and off the streets.
"Somewhere between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away each year, and we need to bring these numbers down," said Biggert, Co-Chair of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus. "We must get to them before they walk out that door. The NRS's Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum is a great tool for educators and other caring adults to reach out and help children cope with the unique challenges that may be driving them from their homes."
Developed in collaboration with DePaul University's Center for Community and Organization Development (CCOD), key community leaders and youth, the curriculum offers lessons to help teachers and community-based organizations lead discussions with youth.
"The Let's Talk curriculum is designed to help educate youth about alternatives to running away," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. "It's about communication, building life skills and finding resources for kids who may be at-risk."
"This curriculum is what teachers and the community told us they needed," said Dr. Gary Harper, Professor of Psychology at DePaul University. "We don't have to sit back and watch our country's young people run away. We can do something about it."
Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum is free of charge and is available for download at www.1800runaway.org or by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY.