Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
McAllister Carolyn
Abstract
This proposed study would examine how cuts to community-based programs affect housing stability among transition age foster youth in California. Youth aging out of foster care face disproportionately high rates of homelessness and housing instability, which are often compounded by reductions in transitional housing, case management, and supportive services. The significance of this study lies in addressing a critical gap between policy intent and lived experience by centering the voices of former foster youth while also documenting measurable patterns of service access and housing outcomes. A mixed-methods research design would be used to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data would be collected through a self administered questionnaire to assess housing stability, access to post, foster care services, participation in extended foster care, and perceived impacts of program cuts. Qualitative data would be gathered through open-ended survey questions to explore youths’ personal experiences of housing instability and their perspectives on needed systemic changes. Data analysis would include descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics, dual analyses to examine relationships between service access and housing outcomes, and multivariate analyses to assess the combined influence of multiple factors on housing stability. Qualitative responses would be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and shared meanings across participant narratives. Findings from this study would have implications for social work practice by informing policy advocacy, program development, and trauma informed interventions aimed at improving housing stability for transition age foster iii youth. The results would support social workers in advocating for sustained community based supports and more effective transition planning for youth exiting foster care.
Recommended Citation
McDowell, Jessica J., "The Left Behind: The Impact of Community Program Cuts on Transition Age Foster Youth Without Family Support." (2026). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2445.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2445