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306786
Restoring and Empowering Traumatized Youth: An Examination of a Philippines Based Transitional Living Program
Monday, November 17, 2014
: 12:30 PM - 12:50 PM
Laura Voith, M.S.W.
,
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Joan Blakey, Ph.D.
,
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Substantial resources have been directed to create initiatives and programs to address the needs of youth aging out of foster care. Nevertheless, research indicates that the majority of adolescents leaving care lack the life skills or resources necessary to succeed independently. Moreover, little is known regarding the types of skills and knowledge that could improve outcomes for youth aging out of care, because the current body of literature is primarily outcome-oriented (i.e., how youth fare once they are emancipated from foster care). Additionally, a dearth of information exists about programs and initiatives internationally. Because of these limitations, a cross-cultural, exploratory qualitative study examined the knowledge and skills that former graduates, staff, and administrators of a Philippines-based independent living program believed were essential to young adults’ successful transition to independent living. Data from a criterion sample of 11 participants from three groups were analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of five themes were found. Four themes reflected participants’ lived experience of what contributed to the young adults’ success: Sense of Belonging, Spirituality, Challenging Cultural and Gender Norms/Fighting Spirit, and Moving from Victim to Victor. These themes reinforced one another and represented a process the program used to prepare the young women for adulthood. One theme indicated a limitation of the program: Financial Support and Stability. Implications of these results suggest that a programmatic focus on psycho-social development in conjunction with development of a tangible skillset will increase rates of success for youth transitioning to independent living.
Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Program planning
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Identify key elements and barriers to Filipino youth's successful transition into independent living.
Explain the process by which the key elements to Filipino youth's successful transition into independent living were delivered by agency personnel and interpreted by youth.
Keyword(s): Youth, Social Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Before pursuing my doctoral degree, I gained experience in counseling adolescents who have experienced abuse and coordinating community-based sexual assault services. I serve as a program consultant for the adoption of trauma informed care in a local homeless shelter. My scientific interests include understanding risk/resilience factors related to violence against women and in families and developing programs to prevent such violence. Furthermore, I am interested in community-based collaboration for the practical implementation of evidenced-based interventions.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
