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Evidence Gap Map

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  • (-) Youth Development and Engagement Approaches
  • (-) Stipends and incentives
  • (-) Family engagement
  • (-) Cohort model
  • (-) Connections to a caring adult  
  • (-) Housing status and stability

Colorado Pathways to Success Formative Evaluation Final Report

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Location
Colorado
Population
Young people under 25
People involved in the child welfare system

Outcomes measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Financial capability

Practices

Postsecondary Education

  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications
Davis, Lanae , Nancy Thoennes, and Savahanna Matyasic. 2020. Colorado Pathways to Success Formative Evaluation Final Report. Denver, CO: Center for Policy Research. https://centerforpolicyresearch.org/publications/colorado-pathways-to-success-formative-evaluation-final-report/
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Pathways to Success

Evaluation of the Connected Youth Initiative

Study type
Quasi-experimental studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Location
Nebraska
Population
Young people under 25
People who experience homelessness
People involved in the child welfare system
People involved in the justice system

Impacts measured

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Financial capability
  • Connection to school/work

Practices

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications

Fronius, Trevor, Sarah Guckenburg, Darius Taylor, Hannah Sutherland, and Anthony Petrosino. 2020. Evaluation of the Connected Youth Initiative. San Francisco: WestEd.

https://www.wested.org/resources/evaluation-of-the-connected-youth-initiative-final/
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Nebraska Connected Youth Initiative

Evaluation of the YouthBuild Pathways/Social Innovation Fund Postsecondary Education Initiative: Final Report

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California,
Colorado,
Georgia,
Louisiana,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Minnesota,
New York,
Rhode Island,
Texas
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

  • Basic skills gains 
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 

Well-being

  • Social-emotional

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Civic engagement
  • Use of public benefits
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Integrated education and training model
  • Career and technical education
Publications
Melchior, Alan, and Susan Lanspery. 2018. Evaluation of the YouthBuild Pathways/Social Innovation Fund Postsecondary Education Initiative: Final Report. Waltham, MA: The Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/evidenceexchange/2%20-%20New%20Profit%20YouthBuild%20SIF.Final%20Report%20and%20Appendices.revised%20Nov2018_V1_508_1.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
YouthBuild USA

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California,
Florida,
Georgia,
Illinois,
Michigan,
Mississippi,
New Mexico,
North Carolina,
Texas,
Wisconsin
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary persistence 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Civic engagement
  • Connection to school/work
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications

Millenky, Megan. 2016. "Connecting High School Dropouts to Employment and Education: an Impact Study of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program." IZA Journal of Labor Policy 5, 1: 1-17.

https://izajolp.springeropen.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40173-016-0065-x.pdf
Perez-Arce, Francisco, Louay Constant, David S. Loughran, and Lynn A. Karoly. 2012. A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1193.pdf
Millenky, Megan, Dan Bloom, Sara Muller-Ravett, and Joseph Broadus. 2011. Staying on Course: Three-Year Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/full_510.pdf
Millenky, Megan, Dan Bloom, and Colleen Dillon. 2010. Making the Transition: Interim Results of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/full_434.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program

Solutions for Youth: An Evaluation of the Latin Amercian Youth Center's Promotor Pathway Program

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
Maryland,
District of Columbia
Population
Young people under 25

Impacts measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Connection to school/work
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Life skills and financial literacy
  • Legal services

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications
Theodos, Brett, Michael R. Pergamit, Alexandra Derian, Sara Edelstein, and Allison Stolte. 2016. Solutions for Youth: An Evaluation of the Latin American Youth Center's Promotor Pathway Program. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/79726/2000742-solutions-for-youth-an-evaluation-of-the-latin-american-youth-centers-promotor-pathway-program_2.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Promotor Pathway

Young Adult Internship Program

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
New York
Population
Young people under 25

Outcomes measured

Employment

  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Financial capability
  • Connection to school/work
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications
Cummings, Danielle, Mary Farrell, and Melanie Skemer. 2018. Forging a Path: Final Impacts and Costs of New York City's Young Adult Internship Program. New York: MDRC. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/sted_yaip_2018_final_508_2.pdf
Skemer, Melanie, Arielle Sherman, Sonya Williams, and Danielle Cummings. 2017. Reengaging New York City?s Disconnected Youth Through Work: Implementation and Early Impacts of the Young Adult Internship. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/STED_YAIP_Final_FR-Web.pdf
In Compendium
No

Youth Transition Demonstration

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
New York,
Colorado,
Florida,
Maryland,
West Virginia,
California,
Iowa,
Mississippi
Population
Young people under 25
Young people with disabilities

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 
  • Job quality

Well-being

  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Financial capability
  • Use of public benefits
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Basic education services

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training for a particular industry
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement
  • Supports to maintain employment

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Stipends and incentives
  • Family engagement
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications
Fraker, Thomas, Arif Mamun, Todd Honeycutt, Allison Thompkins, and Erin Jacobs Valentine. 2014. Final Report on the Youth Transition Demonstration Evaluation. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Final_Repot_on_the_Youth_Transition_Demonstration_Evaluation.pdf
Fraker, Thomas M, Arif Mamun, Michelle Manno, John Martinez, Debbie Reed, Allison Thompkins, and David Wittenburg. 2012. The Social Security Administration's Youth Transition Demonstration Projects: Interim Report on West Virginia Youth Works. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/the-social-security-administrations-youth-transition-demonstration-projects-interim-report-on-west-virginia-youth-works
Fraker, Thomas, Todd Honeycutt, Arif Mamun, Michelle Manno, John Martinez, Bonnie O?Day, and Debbie Reed. 2012. The Social Security Administration?s Youth Transition Demonstration Projects: Interim Report on Broadened Horizons, Brighter Futures. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/the-social-security-administrations-youth-transition-demonstration-projects-interim-report-on-broadened-horizons-brighter-futures
Fraker, Thomas M, Peter Baird, Alison Black, Arif Mamun, Michelle Manno, John Martinez, Anu Rangarajan, and Debbie Reed. 2011. The Social Security Administration's Youth Transition Demonstration Projects: Interim Report on Colorado Youth WINS. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/documents/CO%20Final%20Interim%20Report%204-7-2011.pdf
Fraker, Thomas M, Alison Black, Arif Mamun, Michelle Manno, John Martinez, Bonnie O'Day, Meghan O'Toole, Anu Rangarajan, and Debbie Reed. 2011. The Social Security Administration's Youth Transition Demonstration Projects: Interim Report on Transition WORKS. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/documents/Erie%20Final%20Interim%20Report%202-22-11.pdf
Martinez, John, Thomas Fraker, Michelle Manno, Peter Baird, Arif Mamun, Bonnie O'Day, Anu Rangarajan, and David Wittenburg. 2010. The Social Security Administration's Youth Transition Demonstration Projects: Implementation Lessons from the Original Projects. Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/full_578.pdf
In Compendium
No

Youth Villages' YV Lifeset

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
Tennessee
Population
Young people under 25
People involved in the child welfare system
People involved in the justice system

Impacts measured

Education

  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Financial capability
  • Use of public benefits
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement
  • Supports to maintain employment

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications

Courtney, Mark E, Erin J Valentine, and Melanie Skemer. 2019. "Experimental Evaluation of Transitional Living Services for System-Involved Youth: Implications for Policy and Practice." Children and Youth Services Review 96: 396-408.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740918304663
Valentine, Erin Jacobs, Melanie Skemer, and Mark E. Courtney. 2018. Making Their Way: Summary Report on the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Youth_Villages_Short_Report_2018_final_web.pdf
Skemer, Melanie, and Erin Jacobs Valentine. 2016. Striving for Independence: Two-Year Impact Findings from the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Youth%20Villages_2016_FR.pdf
Jacobs, Erin, Melanie Skemer, and Mark Courtney. 2015. Becoming Adults: One-Year Impact Findings from the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Becoming_Adults_FR.pdf
Manno, Michelle , Erin Jacobs, Julianna Alson, and Melanie Skemer. 2014. Moving into Adulthood Implementation Findings from the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/moving_into_adulthhood_fr_2.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
LifeSet

YouthBuild Evaluation

Study type
Randomized controlled trials
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Population
Young people under 25
Young people without a high school credential

Impacts measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • High school completion (diploma or equivalent) 
  • Postsecondary enrollment 
  • Postsecondary degree attainment 

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 

Well-being

  • Health
  • Social-emotional
  • Housing status and stability
  • Parenting
  • Civic engagement
  • Financial capability
  • Justice system involvement

Practices

Secondary Education

  • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma
  • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency
  • Basic education services

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training

Job and Career Education and Training

  • Career exploration and career counseling
  • Work readiness training
  • Temporary and transitional work experiences

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports
  • Post-program supports
  • Life skills and financial literacy

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Stipends and incentives
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  

Other Implementation Practices

  • Integrated education and training model
  • Career and technical education
Publications
Miller, Cynthia, Danielle Cummings, Megan Millenky, Andrew Wiegand, and David Long. 2018. Laying a Foundation: Four-Year Results from the National YouthBuild Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/YouthBuild_Final_508%20compliant.pdf
Miller, Cynthia, Megan Millenky, Lisa Schwartz, Lisbeth Goble, and Jillian Stein. 2016. Building a Future: Interim Impact Findings from the YouthBuild Evaluation. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/YouthBuild_Interim_Report_2016_508.pdf
Wiegand, Andrew, Michelle Manno, Sengsouvanh Leshnick, Louisa Treskon, Christian Geckeler, Heather Lewis-Charp, Castle Sinicrope, Mika Clark, and Brandon Nicholson. 2015. Adapting to Local Context: Findings from the YouthBuild Evaluation Implementation Study. New York: MDRC. https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/Adapting_to_Local_Context.pdf
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
YouthBuild USA

Study type

  • Cost studies (5)
  • Outcome studies (2)
  • Qualitative or implementation studies (8)
  • Quasi-experimental studies (1)
  • Randomized controlled trials (7)
  • Study includes subgroup analysis (7)

Practices

  • Secondary Education (6)
    • Preparation or instruction for high school diploma (4)
    • Preparation or instruction for high school equivalency (4)
    • High school reengagement (1)
    • Dual enrollment in high school and college programs (1)
    • Basic education services (2)
  • Postsecondary Education (8)
    • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary (7)
    • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment (2)
    • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training (4)
    • Supports to pay for postsecondary education (4)
  • Job and Career Education and Training (7)
    • Career exploration and career counseling (5)
    • Work readiness training (5)
    • Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training for a particular industry (1)
    • Temporary and transitional work experiences (5)
  • Employment Placement and Supports (6)
    • Job placement (6)
    • Supports to maintain employment (2)
  • Support Services (10)
    • Mental and behavioral health supports (7)
    • Supports for basic needs (10)
    • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports (4)
    • Post-program supports (5)
    • Life skills and financial literacy (10)
    • Legal services (1)
  • (-) Youth Development and Engagement Approaches (9)
    • Youth leadership and civic engagement (4)
    • (-) Stipends and incentives (4)
    • (-) Family engagement (1)
    • (-) Cohort model (4)
    • (-) Connections to a caring adult   (9)
  • Other Implementation Practices (4)
    • Integrated education and training model (2)
    • Career and technical education (2)
    • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement (2)

Impacts and Outcomes Measured

  • Education (36)
    • Basic skills gains  (9)
    • Engagement in secondary education (14)
    • High school completion (diploma or equivalent)  (30)
    • Postsecondary enrollment  (25)
    • Postsecondary persistence  (10)
    • Postsecondary degree attainment  (5)
  • Employment (35)
    • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates  (14)
    • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills  (8)
    • Employment placement/attainment  (31)
    • Employment retention  or advancement (18)
    • Earnings  (23)
    • Job quality (4)
  • Well-being (28)
    • Health (11)
    • Social-emotional (18)
    • (-) Housing status and stability (9)
    • Parenting (8)
    • Civic engagement (5)
    • Financial capability (9)
    • Connection to school/work (9)
    • Use of public benefits (7)
    • Justice system involvement (16)

Population

  • Young people under 25 (9)
  • People involved in the child welfare system (3)
  • Young people without a high school credential (3)
  • People involved in the justice system (2)
  • People who experience homelessness (1)
  • Young people with disabilities (1)

In compendium

  • Yes (7)
  • No (2)

Location

  • California (3)
  • Colorado (3)
  • District of Columbia (1)
  • Florida (2)
  • Georgia (2)
  • Illinois (1)
  • Iowa (1)
  • Louisiana (1)
  • Maryland (3)
  • Massachusetts (1)
  • Michigan (1)
  • Minnesota (1)
  • Mississippi (2)
  • Nebraska (1)
  • New Mexico (1)
  • New York (3)
  • North Carolina (1)
  • Rhode Island (1)
  • Tennessee (1)
  • Texas (2)
  • West Virginia (1)
  • Wisconsin (1)

 

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