Pathways to Success
Intended Audience
- Child Welfare Workers
- Child Welfare Supervisors
- Youth
Targeted Age Group(s)
- 13-17
- 18 or older
QIC-EY Engagement Model Components (i) The engagement model components were identified through the QIC-EY Environmental Scan as critical to the support of youth engagement in the attainment of permanence.
- Engage Specialized Staff
- Support Youth Empowerment
- Utilize Youth-guided Team
Description
Pathways to Success is a youth-driven, case management intervention to serve youth ages 14-21 with an increased risk of homelessness who are in or transitioning out of foster care with a long-term goal of preventing homelessness. The Pathways model specifically works to improve youth outcomes in the five “pathways” of permanent connections, health and well-being, housing, education and employment. The primary intervention of Pathways is the assignment of a “navigator” for each youth in the project. The navigator engages the youth in a coach-like way. The intervention is youth-driven with the navigator working together with the youth toward achieving goals identified by the youth. The focus is on maximizing youth potential, resiliency and self-sufficiency.
Implementation Considerations
Pathways to Success is currently being implemented and evaluated in Colorado. Many positions and roles are essential for Pathways to function. However, sites within the Pathways model have flexibility in determining how to fill the positions and how to familiarize supervisors and navigators with agency-specific procedures.
To implement Pathways, workers must be trained in coach-like engagement as well as the Pathways model and fidelity. Also recommended are trainings in positive youth development, trauma-informed care and solutions-focused care. The cost of the training is $5,000. Staff being trained should have a degree and have prior training as a caseworker.
