Research & Evaluation
New Resource on Participatory Evaluation
Recognizing the increasing demand for non-profits to demonstrate program outcomes, the Paloma Foundation and the Wellesley Institute have produced a “hands on” resource on participatory evaluation methodology. YouthLink assisted on this project by piloting the guide with our Inner City Peer Educator program and providing feedback to the authors.
Download the Guide
Seeking the most effective approaches to help youth achieve their goals and find their unique way of belonging.
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YouthLink is commited to delivering programs and services that are grounded in best practises and evaluated through objective measures, drawing on current evidence from the literature.
We also seek to contribute to best practises in the field by evaluating our experience and sharing our knowledge through participating in initiatives with academic and service partners, such as the Paloma-Wellesley project (see sidebar).
Our goal is use this knowledge to inform and support advocacy for effective public policy to support the needs of the youth we serve.
Current Research
Factors Leading to Pregnancy and HIV Risk among Female Street Youth in Toronto
Funded by the Ontario HIV/AIDS Treatment Network, this research project was launched in September 2007 to explore the life circumstances of street-involved female youth at the time of pregnancy and build capacity within and between service providers and academic partners. A report on the findings is scheduled for release in 2010.
Co-investigators include the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michaels’ Hospital, Evergreen Centre for Street Youth, YouthLink Inner City, the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, as well as McMaster University.
For more information contact Scott, Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael’s Hospital at ScottA@smh.toronto.on.ca or Diana Walker at dwalker@youthlink.ca
Sexual minorities are known to be overrepresented in the homeless youth population and face heightened risks. At Inner City, we have observed that sexual minority youth who are homeless experience unique risk factors relative to their heterosexual peers. This research project was launched to investigate the mental health, substance use and sexual risk behaviours related to homeless sexual minority youths and their heterosexual counterparts. The study will test a theoretical explanation for heightened risk facing homeless sexual minority youths and through increased understanding will support the development of interventions designed to minimize risk.
It is lead by Maurice Gattis, an M.S.W. student at George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University and York University, Faculty of Education. Youthlink Inner City is one of several participating agencies serving homeless and street involved youth.
Program Evaluation
NEW! Report shows strong results in keeping families together and diverting youth entering care
The purpose of this evaluation was to determine if the level of Wraparound Services fidelity is consistent across three Child Mental Health sites; Oologan, Youthlink and Yorktown. Additionally the evaluation explored the challenges and barriers of implementing Wraparound services related to the child, the family and the organization and finally are the clients satisfied with Wraparound services.
Key conclusions included the following:
- There is a consistent level of fidelity across the three sites
- Families are very satisfied with Wraparound Services
- There is a need for increased knowledge of Wraparound Services in agencies that do not provide them
Wraparound services may not be suitable for families and youth experiencing crisis and have high complex needs.
This evaluation was a collaborative effort with Oolagen Community Services, Yorktown Family Services and Youthlink.
Download full report
The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the effectiveness of the Partners for Success initiative in reducing barriers that limit academic and social outcomes for students, specifically improving anger management. This evaluation covers the 2007-2008 school year.
Key conclusions included the following:
- Many of the youth’s families expressed anger in similar ways
- Upon completion of the program there was a shift for many youth from Violent Anger Expression to Verbal Anger Expression
- The majority of participants noted that the program helped them take responsibility for their anger
- Participants reported an increase in anger control upon completion
This program was a collaborative effort between the Toronto School Boards and two Children’s Mental Health agencies (Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre and YouthLink) who delivered the program.
Download full report
Advocating for Effective Public Policy
“Moving forward on Housing” Submission to Federal Government, October 2009
In 2009 the Federal Government called on agencies and key stake holders to provide recommendations for the 2011-2014 phase of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).
YouthLink’s key recommendations in our submission (October 2009) called on the government to:
- develop a national housing strategy
- provide longer term funding agreements to support more effective community service planning
- ratify the “housing first” strategy
- establish national standards to ensure that all Canadians receive the same quality of service
Submission to the Ontario Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, December 2009
This submission highlights the importance of delivering a range of services in the community that support youth mental health through prevention. It recognizes that adequate housing, meaningful activity, social relationships and inclusion are key factors in promoting good mental health. It contrasts YouthLink’s approach with a medical, diagnosis driven approach to promoting mental health and uses Inner City Centre as an example to show that community services are effective in delivering positive outcomes but are at risk due to lack of stable funding.
