In 2000, there were over 11,000 residents under the age of 25 in the Central Region who lack a high school diploma. The PAYT project is a region-wide effort to re-connect these youth to education and successful careers. While many youth services agencies are governed and operated on a county or state level, local collaboration is crucial for producing successful outcomes for these disconnected youth populations. CPWDC convened youth services providers in March and December of 2008 to strengthen and facilitate new local partnerships.

With funding from the PA Department of Labor and Industry, local research was conducted to better understand the issue surrounding youth and young adults who have dropped out and/or aged out. Please contact us at 570-568-6868 if you would like a copy of the following reports:

Increasing Education and Employment Outcomes for Youth in Transition – Research on School Dropouts and Youth Who Have Aged out of Foster Care in Central Pennsylvania CPWDC, in cooperation with Bloomsburg, Bucknell, Lock Haven, Penn State and Susquehanna Universities

Dropout Survey Project (survey and analysis of local dropouts) – Center for the Study of Community and the Economy, Lycoming College

Assessment of GED Services for Youth and Young Adults in Central Pennsylvania – Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy, Penn State University

Websites:

• PA Child Welfare Training Program
• Philadelphia Youth Network, Inc. (PYN)
• Casey Family Programs
• Project U-Turn
• America’s Promise Alliance
• Alliance for Excellent Education

Helpful Reports to find on the web:

• Whatever it Takes: How Twelve Communities are Reconnecting Out-of-School Youth
• Friedman Foundation reports on the high costs of low graduation rates
  • High Costs of North Carolina’s Low Graduation Rate
  • High Costs of South Carolina’s Low Graduation Rate
• Youth Participation in Collaborative Team Planning
• California Dropout Research Project
• Connected By 25
• Youth Transition Funders Group “Safe Passage” Report
• Employment Outcomes for Youth Aging out of Foster Care
• The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts
• Positive Support: Mentoring and Depression Among High Risk Youth
• Providing Better Opportunities for Older Children in the Child Welfare System
• College Access, Financial Aid and College Success for Undergraduates from Foster Care
• Out of the Margins: LGBTQ Regional Listening Forum Report
• Partnering with Youth: Involving Youth in Child Welfare Training and Curriculum Development
• Foundations Interested in Funding Homelessness Initiatives
• Prisoners and Families: Parenting Issues During Incarceration
• Chafee Legislation
• Independent Living Practice Standards
• Child Welfare Policy Manual
• Serving Youth Aging out of Foster Care