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The Transition Status of Youth Departing Residential Care

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Abstract

This study evaluated the characteristics related to a successful reintegration among youth from a residential facility. Specifically, this study describes the transition skills of youth at departure in five areas: (a) education and employment goals, (b) self-determination skills, (c) social support, (d) life skills, and (e) hopefulness. Further, self-report and teacher ratings of youths’ self-determination and life skills were examined to determine possible differences in perception between youth and their school and Family Teachers (house-parents). One hundred four youth departing the Boys Town Treatment Family Home residential program participated in the study. The majority of youth reported average to above average skills in the five domains. However, significant differences were found between youth and schoolteacher reports of self-determination skills. The results indicate the need to provide transition services related to success post-discharge, including individualized transition plans and family involvement during treatment.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the staff members at Boys Town who were instrumental in the data collection process. This project was supported by the Center for At-Risk Children Services at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 800 West Main Street, 4047 Winther Hall, Whitewater, WI, 53190, USA

    Kathryn J. Casey

  2. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

    Robert Reid, Alexandra L. Trout & Kristin Duppong Hurley

  3. Boys Town, Boys Town, NE, USA

    M. Beth Chmelka & Ronald Thompson

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  1. Kathryn J. Casey
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  2. Robert Reid
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  3. Alexandra L. Trout
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  5. M. Beth Chmelka
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  6. Ronald Thompson
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Correspondence to Kathryn J. Casey.

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Casey, K.J., Reid, R., Trout, A.L. et al. The Transition Status of Youth Departing Residential Care. Child Youth Care Forum 39, 323–340 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-010-9106-6

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