Homelessness, Youth
Conditions
Keywords
youth, coach, employment, homelessness, transition, socioeconomic inclusion, identity capital, social capital
Brief summary
The goal of the SEED CHANGE pilot study is to co-design and test a wraparound intervention for young people transitioning away from homelessness. This study will provide information about the types of supports these young people need to live meaningful and thriving lives, and the best ways to deliver these supports. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the wraparound intervention feasible? (i.e., Will young people engage in the study and supports?) * Is the wraparound intervention acceptable? (i.e., Do young people find the supports satisfactory and/or beneficial?) Participants will engage in an 18-month wraparound intervention including the following supports: * Job Placement * Housing Stabilization Funds * Grocery Supplements * Community Connections Worker * Coaching * Tools for Intentional Living Program
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWraparound Intervention
An 18-month wraparound intervention including the following supports: * Job Placement * Housing Stabilization Funds * Grocery Supplements * Community Connections Worker * Coaching * Tools for Intentional Living Program
Sponsors
Unity Health Toronto
Covenant House Toronto
StepStones for Youth
Resource Association for Teens
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Aged 18 - 24 years * Experienced homelessness (defined as unstable/time-limited housing arrangements like shelter stays, foster care, or couch surfing) for at least seven consecutive days in the past year * Living in market rent housing (defined as non-subsidized housing, inclusive of both formal and informal rental agreements) in the Greater Toronto Area or Niagara Region for at least one month preceding study start * Willing to actively participate in all components of the intervention * Able to legally work in Canada (includes having a valid Social Insurance Number) * Able to provide free and informed consent * Able to understand English well enough to give consent and participate in the intervention and data collection
Exclusion criteria
* In imminent danger of losing their housing (e.g., facing eviction) * Planning to move out of the Greater Toronto Area or Niagara Region in the next 18 months * Employed full-time or enrolled in an education or training program that requires a long-term (\>4 weeks) full-time work placement (coinciding with the duration of the study intervention) * Receiving rent subsidies (does not include shelter allowance through social welfare programs such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program) * Enrolled in a program or study with features similar to the SEED CHANGE intervention (e.g., 1:1 coaching, supported employment, group program targeting identity/social capital)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility and Acceptability: Recruitment, Enrolment, and Dropout Metrics | Recruitment and enrolment metrics are assessed at T0 (Baseline; pre-intervention). Dropout metrics are assessed at T4 (Month 18; end of intervention). | Recruitment, enrolment, and dropout metrics were documented by the research team. The recruitment total is the total number of individuals who express interest in participating in the study. The enrolment total is the total number of recruited individuals who are eligible and consent to participate in the study. The dropout total is the total number of enrolled participants who drop out during the study. Participants are considered to have dropped out of the study if they explicitly request to withdraw from the study, or cease participating in all intervention and research activities (i.e., no contact). |
| Feasibility and Acceptability: Employment Placement Engagement | Assessed at T4 (Month 18; end of intervention). | Employment placement engagement is defined as the length of time participants remain in their job placement (self-reported). |
| Feasibility and Acceptability: Coaching Engagement | Assessed at T4 (Month 18; end of intervention). | Coaching Engagement is defined as the proportion of total possible coaching sessions (max. 36) that a participant attends (reported by coaches). |
| Feasibility and Acceptability: Group Program Engagement | Assessed at T4 (Month 18; end of intervention). | Group Program Engagement is defined as the proportion of total possible Tools for Intentional Living program sessions that a participant attends (reported by program facilitators). |
| Feasibility and Acceptability: Community Connections Worker Engagement | Assessed at T4 (Month 18; end of intervention). | Community Connections Worker Engagement is defined as the total number of sessions a participant attends with their Community Connections Worker (reported by workers). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Capital: Employment | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Employment is assessed by self-report; participants are asked whether they are currently working (in their study job placement or elsewhere). Employment rate will be reported as the number of participants who are currently employed. |
| Economic Capital: Education | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Education and training is assessed by self-report; participants are asked whether they are currently attending secondary or post-secondary classes or participating in a training/trades program. Education rate will be reported as the number of participants who are currently in an education or training program. |
| Economic Capital: Housing Security | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Housing security is assessed using the Housing Security Scale V.3. This 19-item self-report measure explores domains related to: housing need; subjective stability; safety net; threats to stability. Housing need is a 2-item composite dichotomous indicator (Yes=presence of housing need \[i.e., poor housing security\]). Subjective Stability is a 5-item subscale (range 5-30); higher scores indicate greater housing security. Safety Net is a 3-item subscale (range 3-18); higher scores indicate greater housing security. Threats to Stability is a 7-item subscale (range 3-18); higher scores indicate poorer housing security. Two additional items assessing Housing History are reported separately and are not part of any subscale. |
| Economic Capital: Income | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Income is self-reported; participants are asked their average monthly income (including income from their job placement, additional jobs, and social assistance). |
| Economic Capital: Food Insecurity | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Food insecurity is self-reported; participants are asked three yes/no questions about their food insecurity in the past six months. A participant is deemed food insecure if they answer affirmative to one or more of the questions. The questions are: Did you ever worry that your food would run out before you had money to buy more? Did you ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because you did not have enough money for food? Were you ever hungry but did not eat because you could not afford enough food? |
| Social Capital: Social Connectedness | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Social connectedness is assessed using the Social Connectedness Scale - Revised. This 20-item self-report measure examines an individual's sense of belonging and connection with others. Higher scores indicate stronger perceived social connectedness. |
| Social Capital: Social Support | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Social support is assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey. This 19-item self-report measure examines perceived social support across multiple dimensions, such as emotional support, tangible support, and affectionate support. Higher scores reflect greater perceived support. |
| Identity Capital: Self-Esteem | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Self-esteem is assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This 10-item self-report measure examines positive and negative feelings about oneself. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-esteem. |
| Identity Capital: Hope | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Hope is assessed using the Beck Hopelessness Scale. This 20-item self-report measure explores an individual's expectations about the future. Higher scores indicate greater hopelessness. |
| Identity Capital: Self-Efficacy | Assessed at T1 (Baseline), T2 (Month 6), T3 (Month 12), T4 (Month 18), and T5 (Month 24). | Self-efficacy is assessed using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. This 10-item self-report measure assesses an individual's belief in their ability to cope with demands and unexpected situations. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy. |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
CONTACTNaomi S Thulien, NP-PHC, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNaomi S Thulien, NP-PHC, PhD
Unity Health Toronto
Outcome results
None listed