The HOST Youth & Family Program, operated since 1982 by Northwest Human Services, offers shelter and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth. Services are available 24 hours-per-day, 7 days-per-week and include:
Temporary shelter
Case management
Crisis intervention
Family mediation
Counseling
Parenting education
Family life skills
HOST provides temporary shelter for up to 21 days, for youth ages 11 through 17, with longer stays approved on a case-by-case basis.
During their stay at the shelter, HOST staff and counselors work intensively with youth and their families to create a stable family environment so that youth can reunify with their immediate or extended family in a structured living arrangement.
Staff provide crisis intervention, counseling, case management, family mediation, and other services to help create an environment in which healthy reunification can occur. When family reunification is not possible, alternative community placements are arranged.
Following reunification, HOST staff may provide services to the family on an outpatient basis for up to one year to ensure the continued stability of the family structure.
In addition, HOST provides outpatient services for youth and their families, ages 12 through 17, who may not have received shelter services but are deemed “at-risk”. HOST staff work with youth from the Department of Human Services, Probation, STAR Court, and a variety of other community programs and referring agencies.
If you are interested in helping Northwest Human Services and
the HOST Youth & Family Program expand services to more runaway
and homeless youth, please see our "How
You Can Help" page.
