The document evaluates a crisis residential center program for homeless youth. It notes that homeless youth make up 1% of the urban homeless population, with over 1.6 million running away in 2002. The program focuses on providing a supportive environment, staff relationships, group work, skills development, family therapy, and reunification or referrals. The evaluation study examines the program's effectiveness from 2006-2008 by surveying 127 former clients and their guardians about the program's impact, procedures, and needed improvements through file reviews, surveys, and interviews.

1. Crisis Residential Center Directions Program Evaluation Jacob Campbell, Shireen Wheeler, Jennifer Boisen

2. Problem Homeless youth living without family make up 1% of the total urban homeless population There were about 1,682,900 youth who ran away or were forced out of their homes in 2002 Many come from chaotic homes Issues with school attendance Face developing mental disorders, physical health issues and conduct disorder

3. Interventions The importance of the environment The milieu Relationship with staff Group Work Skills Relationships Family Therapy Reunification Referrals

4. Limitations of the Literature Few recent studies on residential programs working with this population Even fewer studies looked at the programs from the client’s perspective Our study focuses mostly on client perspective

5. Research Question and Why it Matters Research Question: What is the effectiveness of the CRC Directions Program for the financial grant years 2006-2008? The objective is to analyze the impact that the Directions Program has on its clients and their families. Identify procedures and interventions that need to be improved. Give a voice to former clients and their families. Aid other programs such as the Hope Centers and Basic Centers in addition to the CRC .

6. The Study Participants Former clients of the CRC Directions Program, from between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2008, and their legal guardians 127 former clients and 127 adults Data Collection Methods and Procedures Client files will be studied Surveys will be sent to the parents and the youth GAIN-SS In-depth one on one interview

7. QUESTIONS