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What We Are Learning About How to Improve Results: The Evolution of the Initiative’s Theory of Change and Partnerships with Communities and States . Leonard D. Burton, Chief Operating Officer. Core Principles.
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What We Are Learning About How to Improve Results: The Evolution of the Initiative’s Theory of Change and Partnerships with Communities and States Leonard D. Burton, Chief Operating Officer
Core Principles • Change the way communities and systems support young people transitioning out of care • Influence policy and practice • Communicate lessons learned
2010 Logic Model Strategies and Activities Improved Policies and Practice ImprovedYouth Outcomes • educational continuity • access to post-secondary education Youth Engagement Education • work experiences • employment coaching and support Partnerships and Resources Employment • extend foster care • options for safe housing • families as resources Research, Evaluation and Communications Housing • comprehensive and coordinated health/ mental health care • extend Medicaid Increased Opportunities Physical and Mental Health • build social capital • access to advocates and advocacy skills Personal and Community Engagement Public Will and Policy • promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care Permanence
Permanence: The Conspicuously Absent Outcome Chafee Act: Infused targeted resources to help youth become self-sufficient, but did not address family relations. Myth Busting: Older youth do want families, they can get adopted, and they can reunify in challenging cases with proper supports.
Permanence: The Conspicuously Absent Outcome Artificial Timelines: Teenagers do not suddenly become independent and viable adults at age 18. Overarching Significance: Permanence provides context for achieving positive results in other outcome areas.
Permanence (Legal and Relational) “Legal permanence is important, but the purpose of permanence is for children to have a family.” — Dr. Gina Samuels in Voice, Spring 2010 – Volume 11, Issue 1
Families Come in Many Forms Socially constructed definitions of familymatter most to young people. Different ways to consecrate permanency.
2010 Logic Model Strategies and Activities Improved Policies and Practice ImprovedYouth Outcomes • educational continuity • access to post-secondary education Youth Engagement Education • work experiences • employment coaching and support Partnerships and Resources Employment • extend foster care • options for safe housing • families as resources Research, Evaluation and Communications Housing • comprehensive and coordinated health/ mental health care • extend Medicaid Increased Opportunities Physical and Mental Health • build social capital • access to advocates and advocacy skills Personal and Community Engagement Public Will and Policy • promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care Permanence
2010 Logic Model Strategies and Activities Improved Policies and Practice ImprovedYouth Outcomes • educational continuity • access to post-secondary education Youth Engagement Education • work experiences • employment coaching and support Partnerships and Resources Employment • extend foster care • options for safe housing • families as resources Research, Evaluation and Communications Housing • comprehensive and coordinated health/ mental health care • extend Medicaid Increased Opportunities Physical and Mental Health • build social capital • access to advocates and advocacy skills Personal and Community Engagement Public Will and Policy • promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care Permanence How do we know the strategies and activities are being implemented? The Core Strategies Rubric
2010 Logic Model Strategies and Activities Improved Policies and Practice ImprovedYouth Outcomes • educational continuity • access to post-secondary education Youth Engagement Education • work experiences • employment coaching and support Partnerships and Resources Employment • extend foster care • options for safe housing • families as resources Research, Evaluation and Communications Housing • comprehensive and coordinated health/ mental health care • extend Medicaid Increased Opportunities Physical and Mental Health • build social capital • access to advocates and advocacy skills Personal and Community Engagement Public Will and Policy • promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care Permanence How do we know the strategies and activities are being implemented? The Core Strategies Rubric How do we track policy and practice improvements? The Policy Matrix
2010 Logic Model Strategies and Activities Improved Policies and Practice ImprovedYouth Outcomes • educational continuity • access to post-secondary education Youth Engagement Education • work experiences • employment coaching and support Partnerships and Resources Employment • extend foster care • options for safe housing • families as resources Research, Evaluation and Communications Housing • comprehensive and coordinated health/ mental health care • extend Medicaid Increased Opportunities Physical and Mental Health • build social capital • access to advocates and advocacy skills Personal and Community Engagement Public Will and Policy • promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care Permanence How do we track youth outcome improvements? The Opportunity Passport™ Participant Survey How do we know the strategies and activities are being implemented? The Core Strategies Rubric How do we track policy and practice improvements? The Policy Matrix
Going to Scale The Tipping Point of Influence Building bridges with other systems Policy improvements at state and national levels Evolving standards of practice produce better outcomes Societal perceptions of young people Engaging new and existing sites* 20–25 Jim Casey states Statewide expansion in Jim Casey states Expanding research, policy, and advocacy *New Sites: EBP experimental sites, co-investment sites, and expansion sites
Expanding the Sphere of Influence: Our National Work