Alternatives to Going AWOL

Show What You Know

Flip Chart:

• What does AWOL mean?• Why would a young person go AWOL?• What are the risks?

Stand-up, sit-down activity

What Flips Your Switch?Flip Chart:

• What makes you angry, upset or frustrated?

• How do you know when you’re angry?• How do you feel, emotionally and

physically?• How do you act?• What do you say?• What do you think about?

Things Pile Up

Stress Management

Flip Chart: What works for you?

• Physical activities• Mental activities• Social activities• Spiritual activities

Personal Shield

What Would You DoIf It Happened to You?

• Timing – Pick a time to meet to address the issue

• Assertive – Be clear and direct about what you feel and what you need

• Location – Choose a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted by others

• Knowledge – Plan out what you want to say ahead of time; write it down or make a list

TALK

Ask Yourself• What are my goals for the future, and

how would this affect them? • What else can I do to improve my living

situation? (resources, people)• Is there a way that I can problem-solve

or try to communicate with someone who cares about what’s going on?

• How could I survive on my own?• If I end up in danger, who could I call?

1-800-RUNAWAYNational Runaway Safeline

Do you know your county’s child abuse hotline number?

Know Your Resources

Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act

Know Your Rights

• Requires a state plan to identify, document and seek services for youth who are at risk of becoming a victim of trafficking

• Any foster care placement that receives IV-E funds is required to have a “prudent parent” standard in order to provide normalcy

• Agencies are required to provide a counseling session after youth run away, in order to find out why they went AWOL and where they went

Federal LawPreventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act

• Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report to Congress on information about: (1) children who run away from foster care and their risk of becoming sex trafficking victims, (2) state efforts to provide specialized services, foster family homes, child care institutions, or other forms of placement for children who are sex trafficking victims; and (3) state efforts to ensure children in foster care form and maintain long-lasting connections to caring adults, even when a child in foster care must move to another foster family home or when the child is placed under the supervision of a new caseworker.