Purpose: The purpose of this oral presentation is to present the development and piloting of a novel, natural mentoring intervention, Caring Adults ‘R’ Everywhere (C.A.R.E.), for older youth transitioning to adulthood from... [ view full abstract ]
Purpose: The purpose of this oral presentation is to present the development and piloting of a novel, natural mentoring intervention, Caring Adults ‘R’ Everywhere (C.A.R.E.), for older youth transitioning to adulthood from foster care in the USA. C.A.R.E. is theory-driven and research-based, and this study represents the first step toward laying the foundation for an evidence-based, youth-centered child welfare practice that promotes inter-dependence and the strengthening of social support for older foster youth.
Background: Aging out of foster care, or emancipating without a legally binding permanent adult connection, is associated with increased deleterious emerging adulthood outcomes. Research indicates that the enduring presence of a caring adult, such as a natural mentor, can serve protectively for emancipating foster youth. Caring Adults ‘R’ Everywhere (C.A.R.E.) is a 12-week intervention designed to facilitate and support the development of growth-fostering natural mentor relationships amongst aging out youth. Prior to the initiation of C.A.R.E., a masters-level interventionist meets individually with youth in an effort to identify natural mentors, who are then screened, approved, and trained. During the 12-week intervention, youth and their natural mentors participate in structured group activities and supportive one-on-one sessions with the interventionist designed to strengthen bonds and clarify expectations surrounding the natural mentoring relationship. Natural mentors are expected to meet with youth on a weekly basis outside of the program’s activities for at least 2 hours, during which they provide hands-on life skills training and opportunities for engagement in community activities. At the end of the 12 weeks, there is a dinner/graduation for all the youth and their natural mentors, during which each pair celebrates the development of their relationship. After-care sessions are available as needed for the youth and their natural mentors to further support and sustain the relationships long-term.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to: (1) test the feasibility of implementing C.A.R.E. as an intervention for older foster youth, and (2) test the feasibility of conducting a rigorous randomized controlled pilot study in a child welfare setting with older foster youth. Feasibility questions focused on the recruitment and engagement of foster youth as well as their random assignment, the identification, recruitment, and training of natural mentors, and tolerance of the intervention and research protocol. Programmatic questions were also addressed pertaining to staffing, engagement and participation of both youth and natural mentors, and sequence and length of intervention activities.
Methods: Twenty-four foster youth aged 18 – 20.5 residing in out-of-home care were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 12). A mixed methods concurrent nested study design with an emphasis on qualitative inquiry was employed. Process-oriented qualitative data (e.g., satisfaction surveys, activity reports, interviews) and quantitative pre- and post-intervention outcomes data were collected to assess non-cognitive abilities, prosocial development, and youth/natural mentor relationship quality. Qualitative analyses were guided by a directed content analytic approach, and quantitative data were explored using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square tests.
Results and Conclusions: This study addressed many of the research feasibility aspects suggested in the intervention development literature, including the viability and practicality of measurement, recruitment, randomization, and retention. Overall, we succeeded in all these areas, and this study supports the feasibility of using a randomized control design to evaluate the effectiveness of C.A.R.E. following several program modifications, including additional program staff, more flexible program requirements and communication strategies, more external supports for natural mentors, and a narrowed target youth population. This study yielded valuable data that support the continued refinement, delivery, and testing of C.A.R.E. with great promise for programmatically supporting natural mentor relationships among youth aging out of foster care.
Transition to adulthood from care , Participation of children and families in child welfare interventions
