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Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the influence of a community-based, service-coordination and delivery intervention (CONNECT Program) on urban, minority parents’ human capital, financial capital, community social capital, and service utilization. Method: This study used a pre–posttest single group design and mixed methods as well as incorporated principles of community-based research. Peer outreach workers engaged 80 urban, minority parents living in Manhattan (New York City) in the CONNECT Program, which offered them referrals to formal agency services and informal community supports as well as psychoeducational workshops on varied topics. Results: Findings from paired-samples t-tests indicate that at follow-up, 49 participants displayed significant improvements after 12 months in their education, neighborhood trust, service use, and problem resolution. Discussion: Findings suggest that CONNECT was feasible within the agency and community. Moreover, CONNECT was associated with higher human and community social capital as well as service utilization outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy between the Social Enterprise Intervention (SEI) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) with homeless youth with mental illness to assess their impact on nonvocational outcomes. Method: Seventy-two homeless youth were recruited from one agency and randomized to the SEI (n = 36) or IPS (n = 36) conditions. Over 20 months, SEI participants received four SEI components, and IPS participants received eight IPS components. Data were collected on mental health, housing, and social support outcomes at baseline and one follow-up period. Results: Findings from mixed analysis of variance indicate that both SEI and IPS participants displayed statistically significant changes in their self-esteem, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) problems, inattention problems, living in a shelter, and living in a private residence. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the comparative efficacy and short-term nonvocational outcomes of SEI and IPS with homeless youth with mental illness. Assessment of long-term outcomes of both interventions is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research reveals high unemployment rates among homeless youth. The literature offers many examples of using evidence-informed and evidence-based supported employment models with vulnerable populations to assist them in obtaining and maintaining employment and concurrently addressing mental health challenges. However, there are few examples to date of these models with homeless youth with mental illness. The purpose of this article was thus to describe a methodology for establishing a university–agency research partnership to design, implement, evaluate, and replicate evidence-informed and evidence-based interventions with homeless youth with mental illness to enhance their employment, mental health, and functional outcomes. Data from two studies are used to illustrate the relationship between vocational skill-building/employment and mental health among homeless youth. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of conducting community-based participatory employment and clinical intervention research. The author highlights the opportunities and tensions associated with this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]