Photo courtesy of the Redwood Times.

Hats off to the Redwood Times for its profile of Melissa Reynolds, a social worker who serves homeless youth in southern Humboldt County, California.

Reynolds said these youth don’t fall under the traditional homeless definition. Many are “couch surfers” who drift from home to home, seeking food and shelter where they can find it. Most are children of economically challenged or drug addicted parents who cannot care for them, she said.

Q: Are you serving more teen clients who are “couch surfers.” Do you think more social work programs should be targeted at such youth, who are often difficult to identify and serve?