Dr. Joan Thomas

�2nd Caribbean Congress on Adolescent and Youth Health Kingston Jamaica

October 20-22, 2022

Youth leaving State care in Jamaica readiness for Independent Living: A cross-sectional survey

Background 1/2

• Presentation based on work from a Transitional Living Programme Project conducted in partnership with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to prepare children in State care for exit.
• The project was carried from 2014-2020 and sponsored by USAID.

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Background 2/2

• When youth in State care reach 18 years old, they are expected to leave care and live independently. 
• Being ready for independent living means young people are able to take responsibility for all aspects of their lives when they are no longer under the care of the State.
• Completing secondary school, having post-secondary training, being financially independent, and having life skills identified as key determinants of being able to live independently.  

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Objective

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• To assess the readiness for independent living of youth leaving state care

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Method 1/2

Sample

• 410 youth interviewed in 3 cohorts between 2016 and 2019
• Cohort 1 (n= 200)
• Cohort 2 (n= 72)
• Cohort 3 (n=138)
• 17 years or older; in last year of care, or left care within 6 months
• 224 Female, 187 Male

Method 2/2

Procedure

• Individual interviews
• Face-to-face sessions with one of 5 trained-interviewers  
• Life-Preparedness Measure (LPM)

asked youth questions on:

• Education, homelessness, history in care, financial support
• Health, pregnancy/parenthood
• Self-esteem, social support, optimism, involvement in/experience of violence, substance use
• Training in independent living skills
• Perception of preparedness for independent living

Results 1/4

• Most youth were in school (66%)
• 49% of in-school youth were in secondary school
• Only 10% of out-of-school youth had post-secondary education
• Approx. 8% of youth interviewed had an independent source of financial support

Results 2/4

• A number of youth experienced multiple negative circumstances including:
• Pregnancy (18%)
• Parenthood (11%)
• Health problems (38%)
• Substance use (43%)
• Involvement with violence (71%)
• Physical abuse (18%)
• Sexual abuse (10%)
• Multiple youth experienced more than one negative circumstance.

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Results 3/4

Results 4/4

• Many youth felt ill-prepared to carry-out specific life task, e.g.:
• Searching for a place to live (52%)
• Renting a place (60%)
• Writing a resume (42%
• Writing a job application (43%)
• Paying a bill (42%)
• Withdrawing from an account (41%)
• Many youth felt ill-prepared to manage on their own on leaving care (51%)

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Conclusion 1/3

• Findings supported the activities for several of the components of the Transitional Living Programme (TLP) project.
• Goals of TLP project were:
• To improve the transition to independent living for youth leaving state care
• To reduce the effects of risk factors associated with low skill development, and inadequate life skills, and poor self-image

Conclusion 2/3

• Life Skills Coaching in core areas ensured for youth in care
• 40 CPFSA Officers trained as Trainers in Life Skills Coaching
• 514 caregivers trained to coach youth in core life skill areas
• A Trainer’s Manual and Coaching Guide were developed
• 957 youth exposed to the coaching
• Vocational skill training opportunities provided for 770 youth
• 514 youth completed a programme
• 30 youth participated in Transition to work
• Scholarships provided to 39 youth for continuing professional education

Conclusion 3/3

• Employment opportunities organized through a network of public and private companies
• 122 youth gained employment
• 29 youth received entrpeneurship training plus funds for their business start-ups

Acknowledgements

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• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA)
• Dr. Priya Anaokar, CCDC
• Marva Campbell, CCDC
• Research Assistants