Running away often indicates a child fleeing or being lured into an unsafe situation. Labeling youth “runaways” reinforces the past notion that these children are simply rebellious as opposed to victims of dysfunctional homes, communities, and educational systems. More importantly, there is a false belief that the child is “safe on the streets,” putting the onus on young people, the majority of whom are experiencing complex trauma, to navigate systems and get their basic needs met, as opposed to the professionals and caregivers responsible for their safety and protection. Further, while running away behavior has been noted on assessments across the country as one of the key indicators of potential exploitation, current Safe Harbor legislation does not provide the same protections afforded to youth who have been confirmed as having been commercially sexually exploited. youthSpark's Youth Recovery Unit shifts the focus from “fixing” or “blaming” youth labeled as “habitual runaways” to addressing the circumstances, gaps, and challenges that led to such behavior. Addressing the push factors instead of blaming youth for self-preserving behavior, the Youth Recovery Response strengthens the agencies that respond to these young people, works with school systems to identify alternatives to long-term suspension and expulsion, and advocates for online learning when a child displays concerning behavior. This response will provide a process map for enhanced direct services and transform youth-serving systems through policy provision while shifting the public perception that these are children in need of services. This workshop showcases tools and approaches for supporting recovery efforts for missing and disconnected youth, destigmatizing youth labeled as runaways, and youth case studies. The workshop will also provide an overview of youthSpark’s direct relationship with the Fulton County Juvenile Court and share how nonprofit organizations can explore unique public/private partnerships with juvenile justice and child welfare systems to intervene as early as possible with suspected young people who may be unidentified or underserved CSEC victims.