The impact of independent living programs on foster youths' educational outcomes: A scoping review (original) (raw)
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Children and Youth Services Review, 2005
Using data from the larger Pathways to College study, this article presents two analyses exploring the potentially beneficial role of independent living programs (ILPs) for foster youth. First, a comparative analysis using survey data describes characteristics of former foster youth who were enrolled in an ILP while in foster care (N=81) compared to those who were not (N=113). Second, an ethnographic analysis using interview data with ILP coordinators in nine California counties describes typical and unique ILP services, as well as the impact of recent federal policy changes on ILPs. Survey results indicated that ILP participants were more likely to be African American or Mexican American/other Latino, and while in foster care, they tended to be placed in nonrelative placements, had more out-of-home placements, and were more likely than non-ILP participants to have been taught a number of independent living skills. Ethnographic results indicated that ILP services typically use an instructional model that focuses on teaching discrete and concrete skills considered to be associated with self-sufficiency, and recent legislation has increased funding and flexibility in ILP services. Implications and recommendations for ILPs are discussed. D
Independent Living: Qualifications of Emancipated Foster Youth Ages 18-21
The California Fostering Connection to Success Act of 2012 allows foster youth exiting foster care eligibility to receive state support through the foster care services program. Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) sponsored by the Federal government provides support for the youth who continue to rely on comprehensive supportive services beyond the age of eighteen. Foster youth who participate in the new program are considered Non-Minor Dependent (NMD) and they are eligible to receive financed housing support, independent living skills services, and assistance from the program in transition to independent living until the age of twenty-one. This qualitative study explored housing challenges faced by former foster youth leaving foster care, the independent living skills program services they received and how the program helped them in their transition to independent living. The ILSP is a federally mandated program, which assisted with locating likely participants for the research study. Using secondary data analysis and structured interviews with former foster youth transitioning into adulthood, I investigated the qualifications of emancipation within the social welfare agency's Federal guidelines and regulations. This article summarizes five in-depth interviews that assessed the effectiveness of the ILSP services in assisting emancipated foster youth obtain access to secured, safe and stable housing. I argue that participation
Children and Youth Services Review, 2015
This study uses secondary data from the Multi-Site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs, a randomized controlled trial of four independent living programs for youth in foster care. The subject of this investigation is the Life Skills Training Program (LST) of Los Angeles County, CA. We had three interrelated aims: (1) Evaluate the effectiveness of the LST program as compared to services as usual on the change in social support over time; (2) Examine the differences over time in social support by race and ethnicity among LST participants; and (3) Investigate the explanatory value of prosocial activities, educational involvement, current living arrangement, employment, victimization experiences, placement instability, and behavioral health symptomology on changes in social support over time among LST participants. We employed multilevel longitudinal modeling to estimate growth in social support over three time points (baseline, first follow-up, and second follow-up) among 482 youth (n = 234 LST; n = 248 control). We found a significant reduction in social support across the three time points. But, there was no difference in the social support trajectory between the LST and control groups. In addition, no racial/ethnic difference in the social support trajectory was detected. Results underscore the need to critically examine how independent living programming is intended to increase social support and whether modifying these practices can improve promotion and maintenance of social support for youth who age out of foster care.
Foster youth & social support: The first RCT of independent living services
Research on Social Work Practice, 2014
Objective: Conduct secondary data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of Massachusetts' Adolescent Outreach Program for Youths in Intensive Foster Care (Outreach) for increasing social support (SS) among enrolled youth. Participants: 194 youth in intensive foster care under the guardianship of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families with a goal of independent living (IL) or long-term substitute care, and born between August 1985 and December 1990 (67% female, 66% White, 27% Hispanic) participated in the study between September 2004 and March 2009. Method: We hypothesized that Outreach compared to services as usual (SAU; control group) would increase participants' SS and that there would be racial/ethnic disparities in SS as a function of the Outreach. Treatment effects were tested using mixed-effect models. Results: Outreach did not increase foster youth's SS, compared to SAU. No racial/ethnic disparities in program effect were detected. Discussion and Applications to Social Work: Providers of IL services should reconsider how best to build and strengthen SS among the foster youth they serve.
Foster Youth and Social Support: The First RCT of Independent Living Services
Objective: Conduct secondary data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of Massachusetts' Adolescent Outreach Program for Youths in Intensive Foster Care (Outreach) for increasing social support (SS) among enrolled youth. Participants: 194 youth in intensive foster care under the guardianship of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families with a goal of independent living (IL) or long-term substitute care, and born between August 1985 and December 1990 (67% female, 66% White, 27% Hispanic) participated in the study between September 2004 and March 2009. Method: We hypothesized that Outreach compared to services as usual (SAU; control group) would increase participants' SS and that there would be racial/ethnic disparities in SS as a function of the Outreach. Treatment effects were tested using mixed-effect models. Results: Outreach did not increase foster youth's SS, compared to SAU. No racial/ethnic disparities in program effect were detected. Discussion and Applications to Social Work: Providers of IL services should reconsider how best to build and strengthen SS among the foster youth they serve.
Children and Youth Services Review, 1999
Concerns about adolescents in foster care increased during the 1980s as large numbers of youth aged out of care rather than returning to their families or being adopted. During this time, adolescents in out-of-home placement accounted for between 40% and 50% of foster care caseloads (Lammert & Timberlake, 1986). In 1987, Congress appropriated funds for states to implement programs to assist adolescents in foster care to make the transition to independent living. States were given flexibility in implementation of these independent living programs (ILPs), within guidelines that specified reimbursable types of activities and expenditures. ILPs may involve a variety of services: informal learning opportunities in foster homes; training programs designed to teach basic employment, education, money and household management skills; support groups; supervised living arrangements; stipends for education; and counseling (Cook, 1988; Sims, 1988). Only a few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of ILPs in preparing young people for independent living. These studies focus on outcomes for youth after they have left care in such areas as employment, economic well being, education, and housing. However, only one of these studies involved a comparison group of young people who had not received independent living services (Shippensburg University, 1993). Because of the small size of that sample and the lack of other similar studies, the extent to which ILPs actually make a difference in the lives of foster youth is unknown. The present study attempts to bring more clarity to this question by comparing outcomes for participants and nonparticipants in the North Carolina ILP.