ON THE WAY HOME: AFTERCARE SERVICES
On the Way Home (OTWH) provides youth and their families with parent training, using Boys Town's Common Sense Parenting ® program, as well as school and homework support to promote a positive transition out of residential care. An OTWH consultant coordinates these efforts by working with residential staff and parents before, during, and after this transition.
Two randomized controlled studies of OTWH were completed by Dr. Alex Trout, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Results from the most recent study indicated that youth were more likely to be at home 21 months after discharge from residential care. Their families reported greater self-efficacy and family empowerment compared to families that did not receive OTWH. Youth, parents, and educators who received OTWH indicated OTWH was helpful, they would use the services again, and recommend OTWH to others.
To learn more about our research, visit our bibliography.
These studies were funded by the Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences (#R324B070034; #R324A120260).
Trout, A. L., Lambert, M. C., Thompson, R., Tyler, P. M., & Duppong Hurley, K. (2020). On the Way Home: Promoting caregiver empowerment, self-efficacy, and adolescent stability during family reunification following placements in residential care. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 37(4), 269-292.
Trout, A. L., Jansz, C., Epstein, M. H., & Tyler, P. (2013). Evaluating service delivery in aftercare for school-aged youth departing residential care. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 7, 142-153.
Trout, A. L., Lambert, M. C., Epstein, M. H., Tyler, P., Thompson, R. W., Stewart, M., & Daly, D. L. (2013). Comparison of On The Way Home aftercare supports to traditional care following discharge from a residential setting: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Child Welfare, 92(3), 27-45.
Trout, A. L., Tyler, P. M., Stewart, M. C. & Epstein, M. H. (2012). On The Way Home: Program description and preliminary findings. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 1115-1120.
