The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Children’s Bureau has contracted with the Urban Institute and its partners—the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) —to conduct an evaluation of selected programs funded through the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP). The goal is to determine the effects of Independent Living Programs funded under CFCIP in achieving key outcomes for participating youth including increased educational attainment, higher employment rates and stability, greater interpersonal and relationship skills, reduced non-marital pregnancy and births, and reduced delinquency and crime rates. This evaluation, using a random assignment design, was called for in the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999.

Programs participating in the evaluation include an employment services program in Bakersfield, California; a one-on-one intensive, individualized skills program in Massachusetts; and a tutoring/mentoring program and a classroom-based life skills training program both in Los Angeles County, California.

More information on the project:
Foster Youth Project Update

Project Sponsor:
Administration for Children and Families