The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Adolescent boys and girls in residential treatment facilities or foster care.

The WAY program was designed to help youth make a successful transition back to their home communities, and gain the attitudes and skills needed to become productive and self-sufficient adults. The goals of the WAY program are to:

1. Help young people finish high school allowing successful entry into adult employment;
2. Instill positive feelings about education and work;
3. Teach young people skills for getting and holding a job; and
4. Help participants plan for their futures and acquire a sense of control over their lives.

The WAY program features a progression of learning and responsibility in replicated job settings and real employment. It also has a counseling component providing a five-year commitment to residents who reach the highest level of the program.

Educational Advocacy

• Work with adolescent to set educational goals.
• Work with school staff to assist progress.
• Provide tutoring and other resources for school success.
• Develop individual plan for college or vocational education tailored to the preparedness of the student.

Work Experience

• Provide replicated work experience to develop attitudinal job skills.
• Develop workshops to teach workplace behavior, interviewing, and the resolution of work conflicts.
• Provide onsite job coaching for residents in community jobs.
• Provide vocational counseling to explore a wider variety of career paths.
• Assist to develop career oriented job placements.

Savings

• Provide budget and financial literacy training.
• Develop short-term savings goals.
• Develop long-term savings goals.
• Provide a 1:1 savings match for savings towards education goals.

Long-term Supportive Mentoring and Counseling

• Provide long-term (five years) supportive counseling, particularly in the community.
• Assist youth with developing independent living skills, particularly by work in the community.
• Assist youth in developing planning skills and ability to work through real life problems independently.
• Assist youth in understanding and navigating issues in transitioning to adulthood

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Living in residential treatment facilities or foster care.

Age range: 12 – 18

Developmental Delays:

This program was developed for children with developmental delays; but has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was not designed with a parent/caregiver component.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) was designed to be conducted in a group setting; but has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

Groups are part of the work done with the youth. The groups focus on independent living skills and job readiness. The groups are conducted with residents while they are on campus.

Recommended Intensity:

Contact intensity can vary depending on the age and needs of the young people in the program. Young people meet with their counselor at least twice each month.

Recommended Duration:

Young people are expected to work a minimum of 6 hours a week. They make a five-year commitment to the program.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Residential Care Facility

This program does not include a homework component.

The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY) does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

• Conference room with space for breakout groups
• Computer and projector for Power Point presentations
• Flip chart and markers
• Three trainers
• Job placement resources
• Sufficient funding for long-term aspects of the program

Counselors: Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and three years experience with an adolescent population. Supervisors: Master of Social Work (MSW) and five years supervisory experience.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Richard Larson, Director of Program Scholarship and Aftercare
  The Children's Village
  www.childrensvillage.org
  rlarson@childrensvillage.org
  phone: (914) 693-0600 x1492

Training is obtained:

Contact The Children's Village

Number of days/hours:

Varies.

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for The Work Appreciation for Youth (WAY).