Experiences of Youth Transitioning Out of Juvenile Justice or Foster Care Systems: The Correlates of Successful Moves to
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Experiences of Youth Transitioning Out of Juvenile Justice or Foster Care Systems: The Correlates of Successful Moves to Independence Daniel Brisson1 · Jennifer Hope Wilson1 · Erin Medina2 · Catherina Hughey1 · Stephanie Chassman1 · Katherine Calhoun1
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Youth transitioning out of the juvenile justice and foster care systems face many challenges, one of which is securing housing. Unfortunately, programs around the country created to address these challenges often do not use an integrated holistic approach, leaving youth at risk of an unsuccessful transition to independence. This study assesses the Bridging the Gap intervention which integrates housing services and an independent living coach (ILC) to address the instrumental and relational support needs during the youth’s transition. This study uses mixed methods to deeply understand the needs of youth transitioning out of juvenile justice and foster care systems and to assess correlates of a successful transition. Qualitative and quantitative results confirm that youth transitioning our of juvenile justice and foster care systems face a wide range of challenges. Results also show that only a participant’s age is correlated with a successful transition. Findings from the study can be used to inform other programs addressing both the instrumental and relationship support needs of youth transitioning out of foster care and corrections. Keywords Foster care · Juvenile justice · Youth transitions · Housing · Social support Youth transitioning out of foster care or juvenile justice systems are expected to live as independent adults but they do not have a supportive transition similar to that of many youth growing up with biological family. Youth transitioning out of foster care leave with limited supports from the system and often experience trauma (Riebschleger, Day, & Damashek, 2015). The transition out of juvenile justice and foster care systems places youth at higher risk for negative outcomes including substance abuse, homelessness, and low educational attainment (Dworksy et al., 2012; Massinga & Pecora, 2004). This paper assesses the impact of one intervention that aims to provide necessary supports to youth during this critical transition. The Family Unification Program (FUP) is part of a federal policy that mandates programs to teach youth the skills necessary to live independently (Family Unification Program, 2018). One goal of the FUP program is to provide housing * Daniel Brisson [email protected] 1
University of Denver, Denver, USA
Mile-High United Way, Denver, USA
2
to youth age 18–21 who are transitioning out of juvenile justice and foster care systems. Using a FUP housing voucher, the transitioning youth pays 30–40% of their income toward their housing and the government pays the rest. Additional FUP benefits include money management skills, job preparation, educational counseling, proper nutrition and meal preparation (Family Unification Program, 2018). However,
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