Street Outreach

The Street Outreach Program, funded by United Way of the Plains and the QuikTrip Corporation, is an exciting community service designed to take resources directly to at-risk youths on the street, in community locations such as recreation centers, as well as shopping malls and schools. The outreach program provides youth access to a comprehensive array of services such as crisis intervention counseling, shelter and runaway programs. This enhanced service program was created to help reduce sexual abuse and trauma among runaway, homeless and street youth in the Sedgwick County area. Runaway reports have increased from 1,353 in 1988 to 2,207 in 1995, with an overall increase of 63%. Expanded prevention and outreach services are seriously needed, due to the increased number of children on the streets.

Because of its central location, and its interstate highway access, runaways often find themselves in Wichita. Mobile Outreach Counselors work from specially equipped vans, which operate on scheduled routes in Sedgwick County after school, evenings and on weekends.

Youth often feel more comfortable talking to other youth about their troubles and concerns; for this reason trained peer counselors are teamed with adult counselors on the vans to bridge the generation gap and help to make youth feel at ease.

The Core of our 24-Hour Program

CrossRoads for Runaways

CrossRoads targets youth who have either run away or are contemplating running away from home and identifies problems that lead to these behaviors. Services for youth and their families include residential care, medical services, drug/alcohol prevention classes and counseling. Also available are case management and ongoing family support and counseling services. CrossRoads is a collaborative effort with the Kansas Children's Service League.

Project Safe Place

Project Safe Place is a cooperative effort between QuikTrip Corporation and the Wichita Children's Home Street Outreach program. The program provides twenty-four access to counselors through a hotline number, (262-HOME). Area QuikTrips serve as a safe place for children who are in danger or want someone to talk to during a crisis. When a youth enters a QuikTrip location and seeks help from staff, they are trained to make the youth comfortable until an outreach counselor arrives to assist them.

Our 24-Hour Hotline Number - 262-HOME

The Staff of our 24-Hour Program

Case Management

Facilitates the placement of youth back into their homes or alternate living situations, coordinates the activities of all interested parties, and assures that the decisions made are the best and most appropriate for the youths.

Abuse Counselor

Provides mental health services for youth who have been victims of physical/sexual abuse or neglect. Timely assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, as well as educational and support groups are provided to help youth and families.

Outreach Van Counselors

Teamed with peer counselors, the Outreach Counselors travel throughout Wichita and Sedgwick County in mobile outreach vans providing immediate services such as crisis counseling, family mediation, needs assessments and referrals. The van is equipped with resource information, food, clothes, first aid and hygiene supplies to help meet the needs of the youth and hopefully prevent them from becoming victims of the senseless and horrifying abuse they often incur on the streets.

Substance Abuse and Education Prevention

Assesses youth and families of youth for drug/alcohol and education classes; conducts prevention and support group meetings; and coordinates Alcoholics Anonymous and Alateen activities.

Services Available through Street Outreach

• Mobile Outreach Van
• Crisis Counseling On-Site
• Phone Counseling - 262-HOME
• Family Mediation
• Youth Peer Counseling
• Referral Services
• Assistance
• Case Management
• Prevention/Danger Training
• Self-Esteem Development
• Teen Leadership Development
• Medical Support
• Basic Needs
• - Clothes
• - Shelter
• - Food
• Drug & Alcohol Groups
• Education
• Support
• Evaluation