Alameda County’s Youth Transitions Partnership Program: Lessons on Program Material Design
OPRE Report # 2022-283
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Associated Project
Building Program Capacity to Support Youth at Risk of Homelessness (YARH): Phases I-III
Prepared for:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Clients
Key Findings
- Youth thought the revised enrollment materials were much more visually appealing and less formal than the original. Youth said the use of more colors, graphics, photographs, and quotes from participants made them more interested in reading the materials.
- Although the original and revised flyers presented essential program information, the layout in the revised version helped them better understand the information. Youth suggested that by better understanding the information they would be more likely to enroll in the program.
- Youth reported that it is useful to have paper program materials, even in an increasingly digital age. They also said it helps when program staff spend time with youth reviewing the information in the materials to make sure youth understand the program.
This brief describes in detail how the Youth Transitions Partnership (YTP) in Alameda County, California revised their program enrollment materials to improve youth enrollment and early engagement in YTP. The Alameda County Social Services Agency received funding for YTP as part of a multi-phase grant program referred to as Youth At-Risk of Homelessness (YARH), which is funded by the Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). This brief highlights how the YTP evaluation team from Chapin Hall gathered feedback from youth and young adults (hereinafter both populations referred to as youth) and used their input to highlight important information, improve reader friendliness, and increase visual appeal in the enrollment materials. Recommendations for developing program enrollment materials for youth are provided.
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