Implementing Case Management with Positive Youth Development to Empower Young Mothers in California
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Implementing Case Management with Positive Youth Development to Empower Young Mothers in California Subuhi Asheer1 · Betsy Keating1 · Jacqueline Crowley1 · Susan Zief1 Published online: 3 August 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Objectives With funding from the Pregnancy Assistance Fund, the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH) of California redesigned its existing Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP) for expectant and parenting young women into a more intensive and structured intervention, AFLP with positive youth development (PYD). This paper presents key findings from a federally funded, rigorous implementation study of the two programs. Methods This implementation study collected data from 13 agencies from January 2016 through December 2017, including interviews with 69 case managers and 18 supervisors; focus groups with 130 program participants; surveys of 66 case managers and 1330 young women; and observations of 42 visits with program participants. The study combined qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Results As designed, PYD was a much more structured and intensive program than AFLP. Case managers and supervisors saw value in the PYD model and new approach but needed more support and guidance than expected in order to deliver it with fidelity. MCAH provided additional trainings and technical assistance to address challenges. In practice, although staff noted differences in approach and content, the youth experience with the two programs was similar. Conclusions for Practice Integrating the PYD framework into case management systems may foster youth self-sufficiency and resiliency. However, the rigid structure of the program was often challenging to implement in practice. Organizations interested in implementing prescribed case management approaches should consider allowing opportunities for flexibility in implementation and providing more detailed preservice training to prepare staff for real-world implementation. Keywords Case management services · Expectant and parenting youth · Positive youth development · Implementation study
Significance What is Already Known on This Subject The positive youth development framework is an evidenceinformed approach for improving adolescents’ outcomes, but little is known about its effectiveness in case management with young parents on a large scale. California’s Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP) had served expectant and parenting youth for about two decades, although the
quality, content, and structure of implementation varied considerably.
What this Study Adds This paper examines the implementation of California’s newly redesigned case management program compared with the existing AFLP. Informed by multiple data sources, this statewide implementation study offers lessons for practitioners and researchers interested in case management using a systematic positive youth development approach to meet the needs of young parents in diverse communities.
* Subuhi Asheer sasheer@mathematica‑mpr.com 1
Mathematica, P.O. Box 2393, Pr
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