Connecting to Opportunity: Lessons on Adapting Interventions for Young People Experiencing Homelessness or Systems Involvement

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
Alaska,
Arizona,
California,
Maine,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Nebraska,
New York
Population
Young people under 25
People who experience homelessness
People involved in the child welfare system
People involved in the justice system
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

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

Employment

  • Attainment of occupational skills/certificates 
  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Earnings 
  • Job quality

Practices

Secondary Education

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

Postsecondary Education

  • Pre-enrollment supports for transition to postsecondary
  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Academic supports for postsecondary success
  • Supports to pay for postsecondary education

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
  • 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

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

Other Implementation Practices

  • Use of technology to deliver services or promote engagement
Publications
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential

Evaluation of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe / Job ChalleNGe Program: Final Report

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
Georgia,
Michigan,
South Carolina
Population
Young people under 25
People involved in the justice system
Young people without a high school credential

Outcomes measured

Education

  • Engagement in secondary education
  • Postsecondary enrollment 

Employment

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

Well-being

  • 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

  • Postsecondary education advising and coaching after enrollment
  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training

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

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
In Compendium
Yes
Programs in compendium
Job ChalleNGe

A Successful Prisoner Reentry Program Expands: Lessons from the Replication of the Center for Employment Opportunities

Study type
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Location
New York,
California,
Oklahoma
Population
People involved in the justice system

Outcomes measured

Employment

  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 
  • Employment placement/attainment 
  • Employment retention  or advancement
  • Earnings 
  • Job quality

Well-being

  • Social-emotional

Practices

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
  • 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
  • Legal services

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Stipends and incentives
Publications
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
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