CARMEL – The prevalence of runaway and homelessness among America’s youth is staggering with studies suggesting 4.2 million people ages 13 to 25 endure some form of homelessness around the U.S.

Putnam County is not immune from this phenomenon and while no statistics were revealed detailing numbers of local youth not sleeping in their own bed each night, the county legislature has declared November as National Runaway Prevention Month.

A proclamation presented at Wednesday’s regular monthly meeting of the legislature indicated that “runaway youth are often expelled from their homes after experiencing abuse and trauma. Some may be involved in the foster care system while others are too poor to secure their own basic needs and may be ineligible or unable to access adequate medical or mental

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