November is National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM)!

What is NRPM?

NRPM is co-sponsored each year by the National Runaway Switchboard and the National Network for Youth.

The goals of NRPM are two-fold:

1. To raise awareness about the issues that runaways and homeless youth face, and
2. Educate the public about solutions to preventing youth from running away from home.

The History of NRPM:

Over the years, members of Congress have taken steps to commemorate National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM); supporting and recognizing its goals and ideals by introducing both House and Senate Resolutions. Proud sponsors of NRPM resolutions have included Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV), Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Susan Collins (R- ME), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R- UT), Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AK).

Also, in October 2005, England’s Children’s Society invited NRS to speak with members of the British Parliament. Spurred by the priority the United States has placed on the needs of runaway and homeless youth, the Children’s Society called on the British Government to set up a national network of shelters for runaway children—similar to the system of care including NRS' hotline and referral model used by NRS in the US.

When a youth runs away, the impact is felt throughout the entire community. All of us—individuals, businesses, community groups, teachers, elected officials, and human service agencies—are encouraged to participate in National Runaway Prevention Month. Working together to identify resources and to help youth develop life skills can make the difference between a youth running away and/or finding needed resources.

Visit the How to Support National Runaway Prevention Month section to learn how you can participate and observe National Runaway Prevention Month in your school, business, and community.  For more information emailoutreach@1800RUNAWAY.org.

NRPM Social Media Day of Action 2011

• Remind your Facebook friends and followers that November is NRPM and link to the NRS website.
• Disseminate statistics about runaway youth.
  • Use NRS' statistics and research, including data from our most recen study on the long-term effects of running away from home.
  • NRS also has statistics on youth that call our hotline and other studies.
• Ask your friends and followers to like NRS on Facebook and follow NRS onTwitter.
  
  • Use Facebook poll questions to get your friends and followers ready. Example: What will you do on NRPM Day of Action to raise awareness of runaway and homeless youth?
  • On Twitter, include #NRPM2011 when promoting the NRPM Social Media Day of Action.
• Get your green socks ready! Ask your friends and followers to purchase a pair of green socks so they can wear them on November 1.
• If you're planning an NRPM activity at your agency or in your comunity, post pictures of how you're preparing. Examples: staff/volunteers designing posters, assembling green light bulbs kits or lapel pin kits, etc.
• Plan a viewing party for our November 1 webinar on the effects of running away from home. It will air on Ustream beginning at 1:30 ET/12:30 CT.

• It's green sock day! Wear green socks to raise awareness of runaway and homeless youth!
  • Upload a picture of you and your agency wearing green socks to Facebook and tag NRS in the photo.
  • Tweet your green sock photos and include NRS' twitter handle -@1800RUNAWAY - in the post.
• Watch our webinar on the effects of running away. The event broadcasts LIVE at 1:30 ET/12:30 CT. If you have questions for our panel, you can tweet them to us with the hashtag #NRPM2011.
• On Twitter, include hashtag #NRPM2011 for all tweets.

• Mention NRPM 2-3 times a week on your Facebook and/or Twitter page.
• Post pictures of your NRPM activities on Facebook and tag NRS.
• On Twitter, include hashtag #NRPM2011 for relevant tweets.