Outcomes of NYC Opportunity Youth

Background: Opportunity youth are young individuals, ages 16 through 24, who are not enrolled in school, do not hold a high school diploma, and are out of work. The Social Science Research Council (2010) indicates that nationally, 1 in 7 youth are “disconnected”, which translates to 14.7 percent of the total population. In the New York metro area, this rate is even higher: 15 percent. These youth costs taxpayers $4.75 trillion for aggregate lifetime losses (i.e., lost earnings, costs to victims of criminal activity, private health expenditures, and lost economic gains of a less educated workforce) to society (Belfield, Levin, & Rosen, 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine differences among participants on outcomes after completing a job-training program.

Methods: Data were collected using a single-case experimental design, between July 2013 and October 2014. An intake form was used to collect demographic, education, legal, family, substance use, and physical and mental health information about each participant. A survey was administered with the intake (pre) and 3 months later at the final group meeting (post). The survey measured – anxiety (GAD7), PTSD (PC-PTSD), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), emotional self-regulation (Questionnaire on Self-Regulation), and family social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Bivariate analyses were conducted to asses baseline and 3-month post test results for this sample.

Results: Participants average age was 20, the majority were black (57%) and born in the USA (69%). Participants reported high rates of unemployment (97%), receiving government benefits (65%), mental health symptoms (45%), history of arrest (26%), and alcohol or drug use (26%). Results of the paired samples t-tests showed that mean levels of anxiety significantly increased (t (95) = -2.77, p=.007), and self-regulation decreased (t (89)= 2.30, p=.024), With-in group analysis revealed significant changes for female, black, and educated participants.

Implications: Participants in this study indicate high rates of stressors and a need for services, including mental health. The findings in this study highlight the need to further examine within group differences specifically differences between gender, race, and education factors that may mediate the impact of this program on participants’ employment and social outcomes. Additional research is needed to understand how services affect opportunity youth.

References:

Belfield, C., Levin, H., & Rosen, R. (2012) The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth

Burd-Sharps, S., & Lewis, K. (2012). One in Seven: Ranking Youth Disconnection in the 25 Largest Metro Areas. Measure of America of the Social Science Research Council. Retrieved from http://www.measureofamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MOA-One_in_Seven09-14.pdf