Preventing Homelessness Among Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: Formative Evaluation Results of a Coach-Like Engagement Model

Abstract

Pathways to Success (Pathways) is a youth-driven intervention designed to prevent homelessness among youth with foster care experience as they approach early adulthood. This formative evaluation measures the feasibility of implementing this intervention and its potential for improving outcomes in several key areas. One hundred twenty-eight youth at risk of homelessness were provided Pathways, and outcomes were measured using pre- and post-survey data. Fidelity measures were established to ensure services were delivered as designed and rates of homelessness significantly decreased, from 37% at pretest to 10% following engagement with Pathways. This formative evaluation builds evidence for Pathways and lays the foundation for future research on homelessness prevention for youth with foster care experience.

Keywords

youth homelessness foster care child welfare evidence building formative evaluation

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