After care, then where? Outcomes of an independent living program

Society has made a major capital investment in the out-of-home care system and, to a lesser extent, in preparing youths exiting out-of-home care for self-sufficiency. The field of child and family services has begun to evaluate the effectiveness of independent living skills programs and to measure outcomes that document the extent to which these social investments are cost effective and linked to positive outcomes. This article provides descriptive and evaluative outcome data for all youths discharged to independent living from December 1987 to December 1994 in a New York City-based independent living program operated by Green Chimneys Children's Services.