June 2015Vol. 16, No. 5Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Evaluation

In preparation for future evaluation of activities funded by the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), contracted the Urban Institute and Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago in 2012 to begin the evaluation planning process. Created by the Foster Care Independence Act (FCIA) as an amendment to title IV-E of the Social Security Act, CFCIP provides assistance for youth currently in or transitioning out of foster care to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

States and Tribes with approved CFCIP plans receive grants to help youth with education, employment, financial management, housing, and other supports. The FCIA further required that some Chafee funds be earmarked for the evaluation of promising Independent Living programs. ACF completed an initial assessment of four programs in 2011. This next round of evaluations will build on the knowledge gained from this first process in order to expand upon current understanding regarding the efficacy of specific Independent Living programs.

The Urban Institute and Chapin Hall recently published a project overview and a series of issue briefs presenting initial results from their planning process. Preparing for a "Next Generation" Evaluation of Independent Living Programs for Youth in Foster Care, the project overview piece, shares a conceptual framework, typology, and key conclusions from these planning efforts. Access the overview on ACF's Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/chafee_overview_brief_final_to_opre_012015.pdf (397 KB).

The first issue brief examines current knowledge regarding the educational attainment of youth in foster care and the effectiveness of educational programs. Access Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care—Issue Brief 1: Education Programs at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/chafee_education_brief_final_to_opre_012015.pdf (384 KB).

Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care—Issue Brief 2: Financial Literacy and Asset Building Programs addresses the challenges to financial stability faced by youth transitioning out of foster care, as well as the effectiveness of financial literacy programs. Access the issue brief at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/chafee_asset_brief_final_to_opre_012015.pdf (360 KB).

The third issue brief discusses the employment outcomes of youth formerly in foster care and the effectiveness of employment programs. Access Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care—Issue Brief 3: Employment Programs at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/chafee_employment_brief_final_to_opre_012015.pdf (391 KB).

For more information on this evaluation project, visit the OPRE website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/research/project/planning-a-next-generation-evaluation-agenda-for-the-john-h-chafee-foster.