Preventing Homelessness: An Examination of the Transition Resource Action Center

Abstract

Each year in the United States, as adolescents age out or are emancipated from the foster care system, they are at risk of experiencing homelessness. It is essential that services and programs focus on encouraging and supporting youth in transition from foster care to a life of independence, and The Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) strives to provide these services. The researchers sought to determine if TRAC's residential program provides their clients with a chance of a stable life (e.g., housing, employment, health care). Findings suggest that fewer clients of TRAC became homeless and more acquired transitional or temporary housing from screening 1 to screening 2, demonstrating promise that these services have fostered change in the lives of their clients.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescent family support
• adolescent health
• adolescent poverty
• foster care
• homeless

Notes

Note: ∗p ≤ .05, ∗∗p ≤. 01, ∗∗∗p ≤ .001.

^a AHCCCS = Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.