Article Identifying Aftercare Supports for Out-of-Home Transitions: A Descriptive Analysis of Youth

Abstract: Youth served in residential care often demonstrate significant educational and behavioral gains during treatment; however, struggles evidenced during the reunification and reintegration process under-score the importance of continued aftercare services and supports. While these needs have been widely noted in the literature, little is known about youth perceptions regarding the importance of aftercare or preferences regarding specific supports. The purpose of this study was to assess the views of youth dis-charging from a residential program on perceptions of transition planning and aftercare, preparedness for the reintegration, and perceptions regarding specific services and supports. One-hundred and thirty-two youth served in a large residential care facility were asked to complete a Youth Aftercare Survey prior to departure to determine youth perceptions. Overall, results revealed high levels of youth optimism about their preparedness for the upcoming transition and identified supports in education, relationships, physical health, independent living, and family as most important to the reintegration process. Although promising findings were revealed regarding youth perceptions of the importance of continued supports across broad domains, youth were less concerned about mental health supports; a factor critical to long-term success. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed. Residential care is one of the most restric-tive out-of-home placements and annu-ally serves approximately 200,000 youth