PROGRAM RESULTS
The Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN) is committed to providing effective, quality services to young people who are transitioning from foster care to adulthood. To assess its effectiveness, IASN tracks progress of participants in five key areas: education, employment, housing, health, and relationships. Results are reported annually to the Department of Human Services (see Annual Outcomes Reports below).
The Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII) leads the quality assurance and evaluation efforts of the Network, working closely with IASN agencies and the Department of Human Services to collect and analyze data and report outcomes. For additional information on evaluation activities and program results, contact the State Aftercare Coordinator Joanie Havel at 515-727-4220.
Outcomes Reports: These annual reports include trend information from intake interviews with youth when they first access Aftercare services; demographic and other characteristics of all participants served by the Network each year; and outcomes of participants who exit services during the year.
Satisfaction Surveys: IASN seeks feedback on its services from participating youth through semi-annual satisfaction surveys. These surveys provide an assessment of the Network’s accessibility and responsiveness to the target population and are an important indicator of the quality of the program. The surveys are occasionally used to collect more in-depth information from participants on specific topics.
Special Reports: The Youth Policy Institute of Iowa periodically produces special reports based on Aftercare data and other sources. These reports look more deeply at specific issues affecting youth in transition.
"Thank you so much for all that you and the program have done for me. You have been a tremendous help on my journey to being a successful adult. Foster care kids are very lucky to have people like you!"
-- Quote from a Foundation 2 participant
In SFY 2018:
- Participants made considerable gains in employment, including 57% of participants employed at exit, compared to 38.2% of the same youth at intake.
- At exit from Aftercare, more young people are contributing toward their housing costs (from 56.2% at intake to 67.1% at exit).
- Of young people completing an exit interview, 86.5% had earned at least a high school diploma, its equivalent, a vocational certificate, or an Associate’s Degree.
- Among youth completing exit interviews, 34.6% of females and 18.7% of males are parents.