1. Susan McDowell
Chief Executive Officer, LifeWorks
Austin Texas

2. mission
LifeWorks is a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable and measurable results for the clients we serve.

3. What problem are we trying to solve?
Self-sufficiency for highly vulnerable transitional aged youth/young adults who are:
Aging out of foster care
Homeless/runaway
Young parents
Significant exposure to trauma

4. LifeWorks Data and Research
Our Approach
LifeWorks Data and Research
The goals and challenges of LifeWorks Clients drive the development of the organization.
Clients measurably improve self-sufficiency through LifeWorks Services.
LifeWorks Research will use data to transform the organization’s efforts from an art to a science and scale impact.
LifeWorks Services
LifeWorks Clients
Housing
Counseling
Education/ Workforce

5. 2018 Services Housing 2018 Street Outreach 200
Foster Care Transitional Services
250
Emergency Shelter – Minors/foster care
150
Emergency Shelter (proposed) 20
Transitional Living 13
Rapid Re-Housing 28
Young Parents Apartment Program 26
Permanent Supportive Housing 24
Total
840
Counseling
2018
Youth and Adult Counseling
1200
Shared Psychiatric Services
130
Resolution Counseling
650
Community Based Peer Support and Counseling
150
Total
2130
Education/ Workforce
2018
Substance Abuse/Violence Prevention
836
Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
695
GED/Literacy
140
Workforce
120
Teen Parent Services 80
Total
1643
State Funding
DFPS
TDHCA
DSHS
TWC

6. State Funding Approximately 20% of LW’s Fiscal year 2018 budget
Agency
Amount
Purpose
Leverage of Additional Funds
DFPS
$579,401
Services to At-Risk Youth (STAR)
$767,104
$592,817
Emergency Shelter Fees
$719,986
$847,836
PAL Training and Aftercare
$117,685
TDHCA
$569,093
Emergency Solutions Grant –Rapid Re-Housing and Shelter
$142,323
$1,500,000
Multifamily Direct Loan Program (in negotiation for capital development of 29 units for transition-aged youth)
$2,970,939
DSHS
$473,000
Prevention – YPU, YPS
$31,299
TWC
$146,000
Workforce - Youth
$273,475

7. Evaluating impact Self-Sufficiency Matrix:
Assess client progress to guide service planning
Evaluate the impact of individual programs
Compare impact information around a wide range of variables (client populations, combination of programs, duration of engagement, etc.)
Conduct in-depth research

8. data in Action Alignment with Evidence-Based Practices: Workforce
Strengths-Based Case Management
Peer Support
Trauma-Informed System of Care
Research– Recent and current issues of focus include data and evaluation surrounding the collective impact approach to ending youth homelessness, a qualitative study of youth perspectives on self-sufficiency, and comparisons of Foster and Non-Foster involved transition-aged youth.
State and National Presentations – In the last year, LW has presented at more than a dozen state and national conferences and meetings on topics surrounding highly vulnerable youth, including Housing First, Rapid Employment, Ending Youth Homelessness, and incorporating Youth Voice in program design.

9. Primary challenges facing transition-aged youth
Housing - Lack of affordable housing that also provides wrap-around support to ensure sustainability.
Mental Health – Long-term impact of trauma.
Education/Workforce – Programs and opportunities need to tailored to address the nature and depth of challenges facing youth (e.g., trauma).

10. Ending Youth HOmelessness
LifeWorks and Austin’s Ending Community Homelessness Coalition are leading the collective impact effort to effectively end youth homelessness – making it Rare, Brief, and Non-Recurring – by 2020.
We are one of 10 cities to be awarded a demonstration grant ($5.2m) to accelerate our efforts and establish national best practices.
78% of youth under 24 experiencing homelessness have experienced either or both foster care or juvenile justice. Systems collaboration between community efforts and state agencies is essential setting youth up for self-reliance.
DFPS and TJJD representatives have been integral to local planning efforts.

11. System recommendations for older youth in care
Minimize the number of youth/young adults aging out of care - Continue focus on Prevention and Early Intervention as well as Community-Based Care.
Strengthen funding for Supported Independent Living.
Allow for innovation of service and funding for contractors working with older youth.
Continue to support DFPS staff engaging in community collective impact work – e.g., Ending Youth Homelessness – to promote systems improvements between state and community efforts.

12. Thank you for your support for texas youth!