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Children Who Run LIMITED
Wednesday July 16, 2025 1:30pm - 2:25pm CDT
301A
Objectives:
  1. Discuss the external factors which impact the likelihood of children to attempt to run away from foster care placements
  2. Identify which demographics are statistically most likely to run away
  3. Explore which techniques and strategies in case management can effectively address runaways

Abstract:
This session is offered from the perspective of a former foster child who attempted to run away, witnessed other children running away while growing up, and, as a children's rights policy advisor and lawyer, who has worked with youth on the run and with youth who have later returned. Running is one of the worst outcomes for a child in foster care, and our foster care systems need to do more to address this risk. We often blame the child for running and fail to confront the underlying issues. When asked why they ran, children talk about missing their siblings, feeling unheard or unfairly treated in their placement, or simply wanting to be like other kids. Running should be regarded as a failure in the child's case plan, and it is the responsibility of adults to resolve that failure. Once a child runs, they are more likely to do so again. They become what departments call "runners." Good case planning can help prevent these issues from arising or address them when they do occur. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away; in fact, it will only worsen. 

Statement of need: Seventeen percent of foster youth aged 13 to 17 are reported to have run from their placements at least once and child welfare continues to struggle on how to address the problem effectively
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Bridge

Andrew Bridge

Author, Consultant
Andrew Bridge spent 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care. After aging out, he attended Wesleyan University, then graduated from Harvard Law School and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency. He began his legal career representing children... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 1:30pm - 2:25pm CDT
301A
  Breakout session
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