How Employment Programs Can Support Young People Transitioning Out of Foster Care: Formative Evaluation Findings of Two Employment Programs

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

Outcomes measured

Employment

  • Attainment of employability/work readiness skills 
  • Employment placement/attainment 

Practices

Postsecondary Education

  • 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

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement
  • Supports to maintain employment

Support Services

  • Mental and behavioral health supports
  • Supports for basic needs
  • Post-program supports
  • Legal services

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Family engagement
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications
In Compendium
No

Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment (LIKE) Program

Study type
Quasi-experimental studies
Outcome studies
Qualitative or implementation studies
Cost studies
Study includes subgroup analysis
Location
California
Population
Young people under 25

Outcomes measured

Education

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

Employment

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

Well-being

  • Social-emotional

Impacts measured

Education

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

Employment

  • Employment placement/attainment 

Practices

Secondary Education

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

Postsecondary Education

  • Occupational skills training, sectoral training, and industry-recognized credential training

Job and Career Education and Training

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

Employment Placement and Supports

  • Job placement

Support Services

  • Supports for basic needs
  • Parenting, pregnancy and child care supports

Youth Development and Engagement Approaches

  • Youth leadership and civic engagement
  • Cohort model
  • Connections to a caring adult  
Publications
In Compendium
No

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
In Compendium
No