Defining At-Risk

A working definition of youth who are at risk can be described as follows. They:

• Are in danger of placement outside of the home - Family structure,
• Have had negative contact with agencies in society (law enforcement, schools, churches, etc.) - Societal structures,
• Have been impacted directly by the consequences of the social ills present in society (substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, physical abuse, etc.) - Social ills.

 
Nine prominent behaviors are associated with at-risk youth:

1. Violence and aggression
2. Sexual acting out
3. Substance abuse
4. Suicidal actions/thoughts/statements
5. Lying
6. Cheating
7. Stealing
8. Runaway problems
9. Chronic truancy