Watch Me Rise: An evaluation of Wraparound with homeless youth with a child welfare history

November 27, 2023 | NWI

Citation: Lindquist-Grantz, R., Downing, K., Hicks, M., Houchin, C. & Ackman, V. (2022). Watch Me Rise: An evaluation of Wraparound with homeless youth with a child welfare history. Children and Youth Services Review, 141.

Abstract: Older youth involved with child welfare experience disproportionate rates of homelessness after leaving custody compared to youth with no child welfare history. More intervention programs for this population are needed. Watch Me Rise (WMR) was developed as part of an initiative to build evidence for interventions that prevent homelessness among youth and young adults who have a child welfare history. WMR is based on High Fidelity Wraparound (Wraparound) and was implemented in a shelter that serves homeless youth (ages 18-24) in order to prevent them from experiencing recurring homelessness. The present study was part of a formative evaluation of youth outcomes in WMR and looks at preliminary findings within the first six months of enrollment in the program. A total of 87 youth enrolled in WMR during the evaluation period and results indicate youth housing stability improved within the first six months of youth enrolling in WMR. Youth also demonstrated improvements in life domain functioning and employment/employment readiness. Although several other outcomes were not achieved or the results were inconclusive, the study highlights important insights for working with and studying this important population. Implications for the implementation of WMR or Wraparound with homeless youth who have a child welfare history are discussed.