My Life Mentoring
Solution types
Mentoring
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Low educational/academic performance
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a mentoring and assistance program for young people aged 15 to 19 residing in foster care institutions who are in the process of reintegrating into the community. The objective is to guide the youth in their transition to adulthood in order to achieve their educational and professional goals.
The program seeks to stimulate self-efficacy and independence through vocational counseling, monitoring, promotion of skills development (goal-setting, planning, focus, negotiation, collaboration, and tolerance to frustration), and training. The program is carried out in host institutions, schools, and community centers, with weekly sessions implemented over a total period of 9 to 12 months.

Impact evaluations

One impact evaluation found that there were no statistically significant differences in the number of arrests or convictions, severity of criminal charges, entry into the correctional system, entry into the criminal justice system, delinquency, dropping out of high school, or home eviction [1].
However, another study identified that the young individuals in the group served by the program, along with their parents, reported significantly greater involvement in educational planning, school success, and achievement, including credits toward graduation and time spent on homework assignments [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Powers, L. E., Geenen, S., Powers, J., Pommier-Satya, S., Turner, A., Dalton, L. D., Drummond, D. & Swank, P. (2012). My Life: Effects of a longitudinal, randomized study of self-determination enhancement on the transition outcomes of youth in foster care and special education. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(11), 2179–2187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.07.018

[2] Geenen, S., Powers, L. E., Powers, J., Cunningham, M., McMahon, L., Nelson, M., Dalton, L. D., Swank, P. & Fullerton, A. (2013). Experimental Study of a Self-Determination Intervention for Youth in Foster Care. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 36(2), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143412455431

Information source