The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

This document was printed from the website of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), which you can access at http://www.cachildwelfareclearinghouse.org/

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) - Detailed Report

Scientific Rating:
4
Lacks Adequate Research Evidence
See scale of 1-6
Scientific Rating:
4 - Lacks Adequate Research Evidence

Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1
Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1 - High

Type of Maltreatment: Not specified

Target Population: Adolescent boys and girls in residential treatment facilities or foster care.

Brief Description:

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) has been rated by the CEBC in the area of Youth Transitioning to Adulthood. The WAY program was designed to help youth make a successful transition back to their home communities, and gain the attitudes and skills needed to become productive and self-sufficient adults. The goals of the WAY program are to: 1) help young people finish high school allowing successful entry into adult employment; 2) instill positive feelings about education and work; 3) teach young people skills for getting and holding a job; and 4) help participants plan for their futures and acquire a sense of control over their lives. The WAY program features a progression of learning and responsibility in replicated job settings and real employment. It also has a counseling component providing a five-year commitment to residents who reach the highest level of the program.

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Essential Components

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Educational Advocacy

  • Work with adolescent to set educational goals.
  • Work with school staff to assist progress.
  • Provide tutoring and other resources for school success.
  • Develop individual plan for college or vocational education tailored to the preparedness of the student.

Work Experience

  • Provide replicated work experience to develop attitudinal job skills.
  • Develop workshops to teach workplace behavior, interviewing, and the resolution of work conflicts.
  • Provide onsite job coaching for residents in community jobs.
  • Provide vocational counseling to explore a wider variety of career paths.
  • Assist to develop career oriented job placements.

Savings

  • Provide budget and financial literacy training.
  • Develop short-term savings goals.
  • Develop long-term savings goals.
  • Provide a 1:1 savings match for savings towards education goals.

Long-term Supportive Mentoring and Counseling

  • Provide long-term (five years) supportive counseling, particularly in the community.
  • Assist youth with developing independent living skills, particularly by work in the community.
  • Assist youth in developing planning skills and ability to work through real life problems independently.
  • Assist youth in understanding and navigating issues in transitioning to adulthood.


Group Format

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was designed to be conducted in a group.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) has not been tested for use in a group setting.

The recommended group size is: Groups are part of the work done with the youth. The groups focus on independent living skills and job readiness. The groups are conducted with residents while they are on campus.


Recommended Parameters

Recommended intensity: Contact intensity can vary depending on the age and needs of the young people in the program. Young people meet with their counselor at least twice each month.

Recommended duration: Young people are expected to work a minimum of 6 hours a week. They make a five-year commitment to the program.


Homework

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) does not include a homework component.


Delivery Setting

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) is typically conducted in a(n): Residential Care Facility.


Parent Component

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was not designed with a Parent Component.


Child Component

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was designed with a Child Component.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms: Living in residential treatment facilities or foster care.

Age range(s): 12-18

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was developed for children with developmental delays.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) has not been tested for children with developmental delays.


Racial/Ethnic Diversity

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was not designed for specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was not tested in specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.


Education and Training Resources

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program.

There is training available for The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY).

Training contact: Richard Larson, Director of Program Scholarship and Aftercare, Children's Village, 914-693-0600, ext. 1492

Number of days/hours: Varies

Training is obtained: Contact Children’s Village.

There currently are not additional qualified resources for training.


Identified Resources Necessary to Implement Program

The typical resources for implementing The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) are: Conference room with space for breakout groups; computer and projector for Power Point presentations; flip chart and markers; three trainers; job placement resources; and sufficient funding for long-term aspects of the program


Minimum Provider Qualifications

Counselors: Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and three years experience with an adolescent population. Supervisors: Master of Social Work (MSW) and five years supervisory experience.


Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

No research studies have been published to date in The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY).


References

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American Youth Policy Forum. (2001). More things that DO make a difference for youth: A compendium of evaluations of youth programs and practices, Vol. II, same.

 

Baker, A., Olson, D. & Mincer, C. (2000). The WAY to work: An independent living/aftercare program for high-risk youth. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America. http://www.childrensvillage.org/wayexecsum.html

 

Jaklitsch, B. (2003). Aftercare services, The University of Oklahoma, National Resource Center for Youth Services. http://www.nrcys.ou.edu/nrcyd/publications/monographs/aftercare.pdf Describes 30 different aftercare service models, with WAY identified as a particularly effective program.

 

Youth programs that work for America and making children a national priority: A framework for community action, published by The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)



Contact Information

Contact name: Richard Larson

Affiliation/Agency: The Children's Village

Email: rlarson@childrensvillage.org

Phone: 914-693-0600, ext. 1492

Fax: 914-674-8720

Website: http://www.childrensvillage.org


Date reviewed: September 2006