Evaluating Service Delivery of an Aftercare Model for School-Aged Youths Departing Residential Care

Abstract

Much is known about the services youths receive when placed in residential care, yet services in aftercare remain poorly defined. We describe a method of tracking service delivery in a newly developed aftercare program, On the Way Home (OTWH), for youths reintegrating into home, school, and community settings following a stay in a residential care. Results reveal that OTWH addressed key areas related to successful transition outcomes and provided broad supports across settings. Moreover, the service delivery monitoring process provided important information to program developers and service providers regarding implementation issues such as provider caseloads and resource allocations.

KEYWORDS:

• family engagement
• residential care
• evidence-based practices

Notes

This research was supported by Grants number H325D040020 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and R324B070034 from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute for Education Science. The statements in this manuscript do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Education.

^aIndicates multiple persons present, such as Family Consultant (FC), parent, and youth or FC, school mentor, and parent.