Effect of Independent Living Program Services on Enrollment of Foster Youth
Loading...
Authors
Porter, Jennifer L.
Issue Date
2021-10
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Child welfare , Dissertations, Academic--United States , Foster children , Foster home care , Independent Living Program , Public Administration , School enrollment
Alternative Title
Abstract
Education is associated with many individual life advantages; yet disparities in educational outcomes exist for some vulnerable populations. Foster youths are young adults generally age 18-25 who were formerly wards of their state due to legal intervention resulting from parental abuse or neglect. The success of these young adults affects the well-being of society, inviting interest from policymakers and child welfare practitioners.
The Independent Living Program (ILP) was introduced nationally by the federal government and is administered by states. This program assists foster youths in their transition to adulthood through various supports and services. The present study explored the effects of ILP services on the educational enrollment of foster youths beyond the legal emancipation age of 18. Logistic regression was utilized to examine relationships between the receipt of ILP services and enrollment in high school, General Education Development (GED) classes, postsecondary vocational training, or college courses while controlling for common life outcome barriers. Ethnicity and gender were also examined.
The study results revealed statistically significant relationships between certain ILP services and enrollment. Results also showed youths who remained in foster care had greater odds of being enrolled. Further results indicated a statistically significant relationship between Black and Hispanic youths and enrollment in each analysis compared to White youths. Female foster youths were also found to be more likely than male foster youths to be enrolled with ILP services. Factors that decreased the odds of enrollment included past incarceration and having children.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.