Outcomes for Youth Served by the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Foster Care Program: A Pilot Study

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Abstract

The Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Foster Care Program annually serves about 1,300 foreign-born youth with legal eligibility. This paper shows results from a cross-sectional, descriptive pilot study (n = 30 interviews) in the domains of education, employment, health, mental health, risky behaviors, and social connections. Results show that most URM youth (86.7%) had graduated from high school, 50.0% were in college, and 86.7% were employed. Many youth (60%) reported being in optimal health, 76.7% were happy, and 96.7% had a positive outlook for the future. Most URMs (83.3%) had a best friend, and 70.0% had people to talk to when feeling low, however 76.7% (n = 23) worried about being abandoned. Additionally, one URM reported engaging in multiple risky behaviors. Comparisons are made to youth in foster care who were born in the United States and show for example, that URMs are enrolled in higher education and satisfied with foster care services at statistically significant higher rates—but that they are insured at significantly lower levels than domestic youth exiting foster care. Future research is needed to examine economic security for young adults who are refugees and immigrants. Longitudinal research is also needed to see how independent living skills are developed and utilized over time. URMs could benefit from some contact with case managers or foster care alumni after discharge.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What are the impacts of case management on refugees?

While rigorous evidence is limited, the literature suggests that case management is associated with numerous positive outcomes. The body of evidence is largely suggestive in rigor and yields generally positive outcomes, although some studies show mixed results. The one available impact study yields positive results. The available studies have examined diverse outcomes such as self-sufficiency,…

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Inconclusive or mixed impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Various

INTERVENTION: Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program

OUTCOME AREA: Multiple Outcome Areas

POPULATION: Unaccompanied Minors

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2019

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