CA SCR161

Designates November 2018 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month to increase awareness and action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in the state.

Recognizes that an estimated 200,000 youth under 18 and thousands more aged 18-24 experience homelessness annually in California, with over 15,000 unaccompanied homeless youth counted in 2017.

Notes that 82.5 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth in California are unsheltered, and the state has the largest number of homeless youth of any state, representing 38 percent of the nation's homeless youth population.

Calls upon individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action to support runaway and homeless youth through prevention efforts, emergency services, and stable housing programs.

Acknowledges that only 20 of California's 58 counties have programs for runaway and homeless youth, and highlights the California Youth Crisis Line's 29-year operation as the state's only 24/7 emergency response system for youth in crisis.