What We Are Learning About How to Improve Results:  The Evolution of the Initiative’s Theory of Change and Partnerships with Communities and States Leonard D. Burton, Chief Operating Officer

• Change the way communities and

systems support young people transitioning out of care

• Influence policy and practice

• Communicate lessons learned

Core Principles

2007 Logic Model

Strategies andActivities

Improved YouthOutcomes

Improved Policiesand Practice

2010 Logic Model

Youth Engagement

Partnerships and Resources

Research, Evaluation andCommunications

Increased Opportunities

Public Will and Policy

Education

Employment

Housing

Physical and Mental Health

Personal and CommunityEngagement

Permanence

• educational continuity • access to post-secondary education

• work experiences • employment coaching and support

• extend foster care • options for safe housing

• families as resources• comprehensive and coordinated health/

mental health care • extend Medicaid

• build social capital• access to advocates and advocacy skills

• promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care

Permanence: The Conspicuously Absent Outcome

Chafee Act: Infused targeted resources to help youth become self-sufficient, but did not address family relations.

Myth Busting: Older youth do want families, they can get adopted, and they can reunify in challenging cases with proper supports.

Permanence: The Conspicuously Absent Outcome

Artificial Timelines: Teenagers do not suddenly become independent and viable adults at age 18.

Overarching Significance: Permanence provides context for achieving positive results in other outcome areas.

Permanence (Legal and Relational)

“Legal permanence is important, but thepurpose of permanence is for children tohave a family.” — Dr. Gina Samuels inVoice, Spring 2010 – Volume 11, Issue 1

Families Come in Many Forms

Socially constructed definitions of familymatter most to young people.

Different ways to consecrate permanency.

Strategies andActivities

Improved YouthOutcomes

Improved Policiesand Practice

2010 Logic Model

Youth Engagement

Partnerships and Resources

Research, Evaluation andCommunications

Increased Opportunities

Public Will and Policy

Education

Employment

Housing

Physical and Mental Health

Personal and CommunityEngagement

Permanence

• educational continuity • access to post-secondary education

• work experiences • employment coaching and support

• extend foster care • options for safe housing

• families as resources• comprehensive and coordinated health/

mental health care • extend Medicaid

• build social capital• access to advocates and advocacy skills

• promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care

Parallel Path for Achieving Racial Equity Summary

Strategies andActivities

Improved YouthOutcomes

Improved Policiesand Practice

2010 Logic Model

Youth Engagement

Partnerships and Resources

Research, Evaluation andCommunications

Increased Opportunities

Public Will and Policy

Education

Employment

Housing

Physical and Mental Health

Personal and CommunityEngagement

Permanence

How do we know the strategies and

activities are being implemented?

The Core Strategies Rubric

• educational continuity • access to post-secondary education

• work experiences • employment coaching and support

• extend foster care • options for safe housing

• families as resources• comprehensive and coordinated health/

mental health care • extend Medicaid

• build social capital• access to advocates and advocacy skills

• promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care

Core Strategies Rubric

Strategies andActivities

Improved YouthOutcomes

Improved Policiesand Practice

2010 Logic Model

Youth Engagement

Partnerships and Resources

Research, Evaluation andCommunications

Increased Opportunities

Public Will and Policy

Education

Employment

Housing

Physical and Mental Health

Personal and CommunityEngagement

Permanence

How do we know the strategies and

activities are being implemented?

The Core Strategies Rubric

How do we track policyand practice improvements?

The Policy Matrix

• educational continuity • access to post-secondary education

• work experiences • employment coaching and support

• extend foster care • options for safe housing

• families as resources• comprehensive and coordinated health/

mental health care • extend Medicaid

• build social capital• access to advocates and advocacy skills

• promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care

Policy Matrix Summary

Strategies andActivities

Improved YouthOutcomes

Improved Policiesand Practice

2010 Logic Model

Youth Engagement

Partnerships and Resources

Research, Evaluation andCommunications

Increased Opportunities

Public Will and Policy

Education

Employment

Housing

Physical and Mental Health

Personal and CommunityEngagement

Permanence

How do we know the strategies and

activities are being implemented?

The Core Strategies Rubric

How do we track policyand practice improvements?

The Policy Matrix

How do we track youth outcome improvements?

The Opportunity Passport™

Participant Survey

• educational continuity • access to post-secondary education

• work experiences • employment coaching and support

• extend foster care • options for safe housing

• families as resources• comprehensive and coordinated health/

mental health care • extend Medicaid

• build social capital• access to advocates and advocacy skills

• promote family • sibling visits • reduce congregate care

Our Theory of Change

Going to ScaleThe Tipping Point of Influence

Building bridges withother systems

Policy improvementsat state andnational levels

Evolving standardsof practice producebetter outcomes

Societal perceptions of young people

*New Sites: EBP experimental sites, co-investment sites, and expansion sites

Engaging new andexisting sites*

20–25 Jim Casey states

Statewide expansion in Jim Casey states

Expanding research,policy, and advocacy

Expanding the Sphereof Influence: OurNational Work