Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new state initiative aimed at helping youth who repeatedly go missing by connecting them with critical services and support. The pilot program, called the Runaway Intervention Program: Services, Training, Opportunity, Prevention (RIPSTOP), will launch in Buffalo as a targeted effort to increase stability and reduce the risks faced by runaway youth.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf, the Buffalo Police Department, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. It was developed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) with support from ten other state agencies.
“Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to using every tool at my disposal to protect all New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable population,” Hochul said. “If successful, this pilot will be replicated statewide.”
The program will serve children under 18, regardless of whether they are involved with social services, and aims to address the root causes of their repeated runaway episodes. The Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf will oversee two components of the initiative: a Missing Youth Services Referral Program and a Multi-Disciplinary Runaway Youth Treatment Team. A youth runaway coordinator will manage the referral program, while Buffalo police officers will work directly with the center to identify and assist at-risk youth.
Buffalo was chosen for the pilot due to the high volume of missing child reports in the city. In the past year, Buffalo police received 522 reports of missing children, with nearly 200 involving multiple incidents. Across New York, 12,114 reports of missing children under 18 were filed, with 94% classified as runaways.
Officials say the risks for runaway youth include homelessness, exploitation, academic struggles, and involvement in the juvenile justice system. Studies show that youth with multiple missing episodes are more likely to experience depression, substance use, and even suicide attempts.
The New York State Youth Justice Institute will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and determine whether it should be expanded to other communities. The initiative is supported by multiple state and national organizations, including the New York State Police, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon praised the collaboration, saying, “By bringing together New York State, the City of Buffalo, and community partners, we are ensuring that at-risk youth receive the care and support they need.”
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