Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to assess the implementation of the Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy (LARCA) program which provided high school dropouts in the Los Angeles area with education and employment services. The program services included case management, work readiness training, workshops on life skills and youth development, vocational training, and education services.
- The evaluation team conducted an implementation study using semi-structured interviews with program staff, partners, and program participants. They also made observations of the program services during site visits in 2013-2014 and reviewed program documentation.
- The study found case management services helped participants navigate other LARCA program services. Youth accessed LARCA program services including work readiness trainings, life skills workshops, and youth development activities. LARCA provided participants with secondary education, vocational training, and postsecondary and employment placement services to support their educational and career goals. The program strengthened the relationships between providers and partner agencies and improved their capacity for serving this population.
- It is unclear if there are any issues in data collection due to lack of detail provided by the study authors. There is no information on how personal data was kept confidential/anonymous during data analysis given the small sample sizes of the participant groups. The study authors do not describe the observations made during study visits or the qualitative interview data that was collected and coded/analyzed in detail.
- The companion impact study was reviewed by CLEAR in July 2022.
Intervention Examined
Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy (LARCA)
Features of the Intervention
- Type of organization: Workforce Development Organization
- Location/setting: Los Angeles, CA, Multi-site in California
- Population served and scale:
- High school dropouts, low-income, youth
- 2078 participants
- Industry focus: Not included
- Intervention activities: Case management, work readiness training, workshops on life skills and youth development, vocational training, education services
- Organizational partnerships: Local workforce agencies; Employers; High schools; Community Organizations
- Cost: Not included
- Fidelity: Not included
The rate of high school dropout in Los Angeles is above the national average, and the program aimed to provide dropout youth with education and employment services are needed. The LARCA program was funded by the US Department of Labor. The program was a limited intervention that served low-income high school dropouts between the ages of 16 - 24 years old in Los Angeles, CA. The program began in 2012. The program was implemented by the grant recipients who served as project leaders, partner organizations who designed and implemented services, and six provider agencies that delivered services to participants. All the agencies had experience working with the target population, were located in the county, and had a network of partner organizations to help provide services. The program services included case management, work readiness training, workshops on life skills and youth development, vocational training, and education services to high school dropouts recruited in the Los Angeles. The evaluation team conducted semi-structured interviews with program staff, partners, and program participants. Researchers also made observations of the program services during site visits in 2013-2014 and reviewed program documentation.
Features of the Study
The implementation study examined the structure of the organizations charged with running the program, the partnerships employed in delivering services, the flow of participants through the program, the service design and delivery strategies used, and the successes and challenges encountered in implementing the program. The authors conducted qualitative interviews with the organization administering/overseeing the grant, with providers at partner sites, and with program participants. They also conducted two multi-day site visits to all six implementation sites and conducted document reviews.
Study Sites
The program was implemented by six program providers located in Los Angeles, California.
- The Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD)
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LA Conservation Corps)
- Youth Opportunity Movement-Boyle Heights (YO! Boyle Heights)
- Youth Opportunity Movement - Watts (YO! Watts)
- Youth Policy Institute - San Fernando Valley (YPI San Fernando)
- Youth Policy Institute - Pico Union (YPI Pico Union)
Findings
Intervention activities/services
- The study found case management services helped participants navigate other LARCA program services and decreased barriers for accessing these services.
- The study found participants accessed LARCA program services including work readiness trainings, life skills workshops, and youth development activities.
- The study found LARCA provided participants with secondary education, vocational training, and postsecondary and employment placement services to support their educational and career goals.
- The study found LARCA strengthened the relationships between providers and partner agencies. This improved their capacity and resources for serving this population.
Implementation challenges and solutions
- The study found the main challenge was adhering to a common program model across the six program sites.
- The study found the program’s compressed start-up period made it difficult for staff to set-up resources to provide participants with longer term education and employment support.
- The study found some participants required significant support from case managers which affected their caseloads and ability to provide for all clients.
- The study found some later stage elements of the programs (e.g., exit and follow-up services) were not well defined. The lead organization provided updated guidance on these services during program implementation.
- The study found providers had difficulty with attendance and motivating participants, developing, and maintaining external partnerships, and coordinating with grantee organizations. Providers added a career exploration workshop to help participants who reported being unsure about their career paths.
- The study found three providers met their enrollment targets, and these providers had dedicated staff members for recruitment and outreach and geographical advantages.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The strengths of the study include multiple site visits to all sites included in the study and interviews with program staff and program participants. The data used in the implementation study were collected through documentation review, qualitative interviews, and site visits. The roles of individuals interviewed was listed but not the types of documents, interview questions, or full list of individuals interviewed. There is no information on how personal data were kept confidential/anonymous did data analysis given the small sample sizes of the participant groups. The study authors did not describe the observations made during study visits or the qualitative interview data that were collected and coded/analyzed.