First Place for Youth has released a new policy brief revealing that when youth are properly supported with a combination of extended care alongside customized services and support, their likelihood of achieving 80% or more of the living wage standard increases from 20% to 80%. The brief shows how data science can be used to individualize extended foster care services and achieve more equitable education and employment outcomes. Using precision analytics tools researchers identified eight critical goals and services that support youth in extended foster care’s access to and achievement in education and employment such that they may earn a living wage. Researchers investigated high-impact goals including career progress, household maintenance, relationship stability, public assistance, mental well-being, employment preparation, and self-efficacy and long-term goal setting. They also investigated key services that could improve the likelihood of youth earning a living wage including length of stay, engagement with case managers and employment specialists, setting goals for household management and prioritizing parenting goals for young parents.
Raising the Bar
Source: First Place for Youth