Study Details | Pathways to Work

26718-Study of Promotor Pa

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not demonstrate that the program and comparison groups were sufficiently similar before the program.

Program: Promotor Pathway Program

Characteristics of study participants:

Young adults (age 16-24)

Services provided:

Basic skills/bridge programs, Case management, Financial education, Job placement, Job readiness, Job search assistance

Setting: Urban only

Methods and Standards Protocol version used for review: Version 1.0

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Study design

Design:

Randomized controlled trial

Study group formation:

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) recruited participants from its four sites in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Recruitment focused on youth ages 14 to 24 from low-income households living in areas with primarily populations of color. Potentially eligible youth were also referred to the LAYC from schools, government agencies, and nonprofits. Once referred, youth completed a risk screening assessment; those determined to have high levels of risk and need were determined eligible for the Promotor Pathway program. Between April 2010 and February 2013, 476 youth were determined eligible, agreed to participate, and were then randomly assigned to the program group (165) or the comparison group (311).

Time period of study:

Random assignment occurred from April 2010 to February 2013. Participants were surveyed 6, 12, and 18 months after random assignment; therefore, the last data were collected in August 2014 or shortly thereafter. For each participant, the study period was 18 months.

Pathways to Work only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Age

Young adults (age 16-24)

100%

Sex

Female	49%
Male	51%

Race and ethnicity

Black or African American	38%
White, not Hispanic	1%
Hispanic or Latino of any race	56%
More than one race	3%
Unknown, not reported, or other	2%

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if the authors reported race and ethnicity separately; in these cases, we report the category White, rather than White, not Hispanic.

Family status

Parents

31%

Employment and public benefit status

Were employed	22%
Were unemployed	78%
Public benefits recipients	40%

Education

Had some postsecondary education	7%
Had a high school diploma or GED	27%
Did not have a high school diploma or GED	73%

Specific employment barriers

Had a disability

24%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

The Latin American Youth Center

Program services:

Individuals assigned to the program group were high-risk, disconnected youth ages 14 to 24 who were admitted into the Promotor Partnership program of the LAYC in the Washington, DC, area. They were paired with a "promotor" who provided intensive, long-term case management, mentorship, and advocacy. Promotors also assessed the participant's needs and provided referrals to services internal and external to LAYC, including those in the areas of employment, education, arts, mental health and substance abuse, arts, housing, parental involvement, and community resources. In addition, participants had access to all LAYC services, which fit into the major categories of advocacy, education, healthy behaviors, housing, recreation, and workforce development.

Mandatory services:

None

Comparison services:

Individuals assigned to the comparison group were high-risk, disconnected youth ages 14 to 24 who were not given access to a promotor. Comparison group participants had access to all other LAYC services, which fit into the major categories of advocacy, education, healthy behaviors, housing, recreation, and workforce development.

Study publications

Theodos, Brett, Pergamit, Michael R., Derian, Alexandra, Edelstein, Sara, Stolte, Allison, (2016). Solutions for Youth: An Evaluation of the Latin American Youth Center's Promotor Pathway Program, Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Available at https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/79726/2000742-solutions-for-youth-an-evaluation-of-the-latin-american-youth-centers-promotor-pathway-program_0.pdf

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Study of Promotor Pathway Program