Susan McDowell Chief Executive Officer, LifeWorks Austin Texas

1. Susan McDowell Chief Executive Officer, LifeWorks Austin Texas

2. mission LifeWorks is a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable and measurable results for the clients we serve. http://www.lifeworksaustin.org/

3. What problem are we trying to solve? Self-sufficiency for highly vulnerable transitional aged youth/young adults who are: • Aging out of foster care • Homeless/runaway • Young parents • Significant exposure to trauma

4. LifeWorks Data and Research LifeWorks Services LifeWorks Clients The goals and challenges of LifeWorks Clients drive the development of the organization. Clients measurably improve self-sufficiency through LifeWorks Services. LifeWorks Research will use data to transform the organization’s efforts from an art to a science and scale impact. Our Approach Housing Counseling Education/ Workforce

5. 2018 Services

6. State FundingApproximately 20% of LW’s Fiscal year 2018 budget

7. Evaluating impact Self-Sufficiency Matrix: • Assess client progress to guide service planning • Evaluate the impact of individual programs • Compare impact information around a wide range of variables (client populations, combination of programs, duration of engagement, etc.) • Conduct in-depth research

8. data in Action • Alignment with Evidence-Based Practices: • Workforce • Strengths-Based Case Management • Peer Support • Trauma-Informed System of Care • Research– Recent and current issues of focus include data and evaluation surrounding the collective impact approach to ending youth homelessness, a qualitative study of youth perspectives on self-sufficiency, and comparisons of Foster and Non-Foster involved transition-aged youth. http://www.lifeworksaustin.org/research-resources/ • State and National Presentations – In the last year, LW has presented at more than a dozen state and national conferences and meetings on topics surrounding highly vulnerable youth, including Housing First, Rapid Employment, Ending Youth Homelessness, and incorporating Youth Voice in program design.

9. Primary challenges facing transition-aged youth • Housing - Lack of affordable housing that also provides wrap-around support to ensure sustainability. • Mental Health – Long-term impact of trauma. • Education/Workforce – Programs and opportunities need to tailored to address the nature and depth of challenges facing youth (e.g., trauma).

10. Ending Youth HOmelessness • LifeWorks and Austin’s Ending Community Homelessness Coalition are leading the collective impact effort to effectively end youth homelessness – making it Rare, Brief, and Non-Recurring – by 2020. • We are one of 10 cities to be awarded a demonstration grant ($5.2m) to accelerate our efforts and establish national best practices. • 78% of youth under 24 experiencing homelessness have experienced either or both foster care or juvenile justice. Systems collaboration between community efforts and state agencies is essential setting youth up for self-reliance. • DFPS and TJJD representatives have been integral to local planning efforts.

11. System recommendations for older youth in care • Minimize the number of youth/young adults aging out of care - Continue focus on Prevention and Early Intervention as well as Community-Based Care. • Strengthen funding for Supported Independent Living. • Allow for innovation of service and funding for contractors working with older youth. • Continue to support DFPS staff engaging in community collective impact work – e.g., Ending Youth Homelessness – to promote systems improvements between state and community efforts.

12. Thank you for your support for texas youth!