November is recognized as National Runaway Prevention Month.

 

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Facts and Resources: 

• In 2021, the runaway hotline had 632 contact for runaways in Arizona.
• Running away is not a crime. Finding and recovering a runaway child depends greatly on the active and aggressive participation of the parent or guardian. Searching for your child may seem overwhelming and a parent may feel lost on how to search or where to start.
  • Make list of all friends, associates, and classmates and start calling
  • Keep track of who you have contacted, what they told you, and when
  • List all of your child's hangout locations and activities
  • List what the runaway took with them
  • Check their phone, computer, internet access, and social media accounts (make it an effort to have your child's social media handles on hand)
  • Check with their school and their employer if applicable
  • Monitor your home for their return
• Law enforcement steps for a runaway juvenile:
  • A juvenile who is reported as a runaway will be entered into a national database NCIC- If an officer anywhere in the country runs a check on the child, a 'hit' will come up advising the officer of the runaway status. The officer will then verify the child's identity and the child's parents will be contacted to take custody of their child. Refusing to do so may result in the parent / guardian being charged with child neglect.
• Resources:
  • Visit 1800runaway.org for more information and resources
  • Call the Gilbert Police non-emergency line at 480-503-6500
  • Call the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-786-2929 available to parents and juveniles 24/7

 

GYAR counselors offers short-term, solution focused therapy for individuals experiencing temporary psychosocial stressors whose treatment needs can best be met by using this intervention.  Those needing a higher level of care are referred to outside community treatment providers.

GYAR counselors screen defendants who are mandated to complete court ordered counseling for misdemeanor charges as part of a diversion plea or probation. GYAR counselors complete the screening, set forth counseling requirements, make a referral to an approved community treatment agency, and then monitors treatment compliance and reports back to the court to ensure clinical oversight and promote accountability.

GYAR counselors complete a comprehensive assessment on the juvenile offenders with their parents to determine appropriate diversion requirements which may include community service, a diversion fee, follow up appts, and participation in a therapeutic diversion group hosted at GYAR and addresses issues such as substance abuse, incorrigible behaviors, and other life skills training.

On July 16, 2022, the United States launched 988, a new three-digit dialing code connecting people to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need. 

The Lifeline can be reached by dialing or texting 9-8-8 from any phone in the United States.

For more information on the new 988 Lifeline, visit 988lifeline.org.

GYAR counselors provide 24/7 on-call coverage for Gilbert PD in the community to give citizens and victims of crisis or a traumatic event immediate support & resources on scene to help stabilize them. 

GYAR counselors also work with individuals referred to us by the police, particularly those victims of domestic violence (DV) where their risk of lethality is scored elevated or high by officers completing the DV Lethality Assessment (DVLA) and assists with safety planning, resources, and ongoing support to ensure victims are empowered and remain safe.

GYAR counselors triage the needs of citizens who call or walk in seeking mental or behavioral health services by providing resources and referrals if GYAR is unable to provide the service themselves.