An Assessment of Independent Living Needs Among Emancipating Foster Youth

摘要

This study used a mixed methods approach to assess the independent living services needs of emancipating foster youth in Lucas County (Toledo), Ohio. It included (a) an examination of administrative client data from the Lucas County Department of Children Services (LCCS) Independent Living Program; (b) focus groups with current and former foster youth; and, (c) a self-administered survey of public and private agency transitional and independent living service providers. Both the focus group participants and the service providers identified what they perceived to be the needs of emancipating foster youth. Focus group members also displayed a lack of awareness of existing independent living resources in the community, and limited interest in post-emancipation support services. The results were used to generate ten recommendations for LCCS, community service providers, and philanthropic funders.