A program designed to provide youth with educational opportunities has proven to be successful in a study that spanned three years in South King County.
The program, Opportunity Works, is led by JFF in partnership with the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions. The initiative spurred the likelihood of opportunity for youth enrolling in post-secondary programs and earning post-secondary credentials in the county, Urban Institute reported. The three-year effort helped people between the ages of 16 and 24 who were not in school or employed in a consistent way gain access to the post-secondary or career pathways that otherwise might not have been available to them.
Urban Institute reported about 17% of the participants in the program earned a post-secondary credential whether it be a college degree or a college credential compared to the 2% who were participating in the comparison group. Participants also took advantage of community college opportunities. It was found Opportunity Works increased participants' chances of earning an associate degree through two-year programs.
The Back on Track framework was modeled in seven cities throughout the country. As part of the program, the cities were tasked with taking collective impact approaches with diverse partners. The focus was to offer supportive, enhanced preparation and post-secondary or career bridging for young people who were eligible in their communities. The program paid a particular focus on people of color in providing the opportunities to get a leg up compared to their peers in other parts of the nation.
Urban Institute reported that those in the program were followed for five years after entry into the program. The study was centered around estimating the effects it has on college persistence along with participants' degree of engagement with the South King County program site.
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