March 8, 2000

To: Community Services Committee

From: Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject:Interim Report on the Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization (SWYM) Program

Purpose

To provide Council with an interim report on the squeegee Working Youth Mobilization Program (SWYM), based on the interim evaluation of the program done by the Canadian training Institute.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial impacts.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received and forwarded to the Budget Advisory Committee for information.

Background:

At its meeting of November 25, 26, and 27, 1998, in response to growing public concern about roadway solicitation or "squeegeeing", Council endorsed a balanced approach to responding to squeegee activities, and approved $250,000.00 for the Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization Program (SWYM).

A condition of the HRDC funding was that a comprehensive evaluation of the program model and outcomes be conducted. Funding was made available through the HRDC contract to cover the cost of the evaluation. The Social Development and Administration Division of the City, as manager of the squeegee diversion initiative, entered into a contractual agreement with the Canadian Training Institute (CTI) in August of 1999 to conduct the evaluation of the Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization Project. The evaluation plan called for both an interim and final report in identifying outcomes achieved, the effectiveness of processes utilized and recommendations for improving their effectiveness. This interim evaluation has now been completed, and is the basis for the City's interim report on the program. An Executive Summary of the CTI interim evaluation is attached as Appendix A.

In addition to this evaluation, the City Auditor is also conducting a separate review on behalf of the City, as directed by Council when the City funding was approved. Council directed that this audit be completed after the program had been running for 12 months. Audit Staff have made visits to the project sites and interviewed relevant individuals. The Auditor expects to complete his reports by July 2000.

At the February 2000 meeting of Council, the Department was requested to submit a progress report on the SWYM program to the Community Services Committee. This report is in response to that request.

Comments:

The Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization Program (SWYM) is a unique program response that was created for street-involved youth that use squeegeeing or panhandling as a means to survive. The SWYM Program combines lifestyle stabilization with specific job skill development. This is achieved through 10-week modules that are facilitated through a partnership with other community agencies. Youth are then bridged to other relevant employment/education programs available in the City to support their next step towards long term employment.

The program has set the one-year target of contacting 500 youth involved in squeegee or pan-handling activities; connecting those interested to resources and services; and referring 200 youth to existing employment or educational options. One Hundred of the youth are being referred into 10-week modules to stabilize their lives and obtain skill development.

The attached executive summary of the CTI interim evaluation report indicates that the SWYM program is reaching a segment of the homeless street youth population who have traditionally not availed themselves of traditional support services.

The evaluators conclude that the SWYM project has achieved its initial program targets and appears on its way to exceeding the targets for participation established for its first year of operation. Eighty-one youth have participated in the 10-week modules during the first seven months of the program and 100 of these youth were active in squeegeeing as a means to support themselves prior to entering the program. Sixty-three of the youth that participated in the modules completed the 10 week sessions.

The interim evaluation confirms that the program is reaching its intended target group and has significantly impacted the lives of the youth who have participated in its services. The evaluators assert that, if anything, the SWYM program is suffering from its success such that demand for the program is beginning to outstrip the capacity to respond. The program currently has a waiting list. Ten youth were assessed for the last module but could not begin because of lack of openings. These youth will be accepted into the next module. Youth are now initiating contact with the program on a regular basis because their peers have recommended the program to them.

The individual outcomes for the youth who participated in the modules is attached to the executive summary (Appendix A). The descriptions illustrate the complex and diverse needs and aspirations of the youth involved in SWYM.

The outcomes measured in the CTI report include information related to the successes in stabilizing the youth's lives, including their activities after they leave the program. Of the 81 youth who participated in the 10-week modules, 50 percent have found stable housing, 59.1 percent have acquired personal identification required to find employment, 4.5 percent have returned to school, 6.1 percent returned home, 3 percent have entered into a residential treatment program, 9.1 percent are now participating in outpatient treatment programs. As it specifically relates to employment other than squeegeeing, 25.8 percent are engaged in a pre-employment preparation programs, 22.7 percent have been linked to other support services, 7.6 percent of youth are engaged in full time employment, 13.6 percent are working part-time, 6.1 percent have been hired as part-time peer leaders in the SWYM and 1.5 percent have received a scholarship for training. 51.5 percent of the participants indicate they intend to stop squeegeeing.

A chart is attached in Appendix B which details the type of employment and educational/skill development opportunities the youth have achieved. The jobs include such positions as: food preparation, office work, autobody, janitor and peer educator. The training opportunities include: chef training, construction trades, web page design and further pre-employment preparation that includes a paid placement with an employer.

Appendix B of this report also provides a more detailed profile of the youth who were engaged in the program and further detail on the participation rates in the modules and the outcomes achieved by program participants. A list of agencies that made direct referrals to the program is also included.

The evaluators have offered some recommendations that are intended to enhance the effectiveness of the program. These recommendations are being submitted to the Consortium Steering Committee for their consideration to assist in the on-going administration and development of the program. The final report will provide follow-up on these recommendations.

This interim evaluation covers the program period of July 1999 to the end of January 2000. There are still two more modules to be completed by June 30, 2000, the end of the first year of operation.

Conclusions:

The Interim Evaluation Report submitted by CTI indicates that the SWYM program is meeting its targets and making a significant positive impact on the lives of the street involved youth population engaged in squeegee and panhandling activities. The 10-week modules provide the necessary first step in supporting these highly vulnerable youth to stabilize their lives, build new skills and become connected to existing programs and services available in the community to increase their employability.

It is recommended that this report be submitted to the Budget Committee to provide this additional relevant information for their consideration in establishing budget priorities for 2000.

Contact:

Geraldine Babcock, Coordinator, Youth Programs

Social Development and Administration Division

Tel: 397-1750 Fax: 392-8492

  Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

List of Attachments:

Appendix A CTI Interim Evaluation Report Executive Summary

Appendix B Series of Graphs and Charts to provide information on the profile of youth who participated in the SWYM program and the program outcomes.

Appendix A

Submitted by

CTI Canadian Training Institute,

Institut Canadien de Formation, Inc.

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction:

During the summer of 1998, Toronto motorists appeared to be overwhelmed by a number of youth who began squeegeeing their windshields and demanding loose change in return for this service. Media coverage heightened awareness of this issue by echoing the motorists demand for action; action that might prevent these seemingly aggressive youth from arbitrarily squeegeeing windshields.

The Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services prepared a strategy paper that called for the creation of a specialized integrated service model in responding to this group of homeless, street-involved youth who squeegee. A model that could assist youth to stabilize their living situation while developing the skills to enter a structured employment program or employment opportunity.

Toronto City Council subsequently supported the creation of a Squeegee Diversion Program through an allocation of $250,000.00. This allocation was instrumental in securing the involvement of Human Resources Development Canada, who agreed to also contribute $395,000.00. These funds which would complement the City of Toronto's contribution were to provide for staffing operations and an evaluation of this service. In moving towards an operational plan, the City of Toronto issued both a call for proposals and a challenge for youth serving agencies to work together to collaborate on the creation of an integrated service model for this target population of homeless, street-involved youth who engage in squeegeeing.

During the spring of 1999, a consortium comprised of twenty individuals representing youth service agencies and employment preparation services answered this call through the submission of the "Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization Project". This proposal which was approved, reflected a commitment of agencies to collaborate on street outreach, the provision of ten week, Stabilization and Job Preparation Programs, as well as assistance in securing employment opportunities. A number of assumptions regarding homeless street-involved youth were addressed in the design of the SWYM Project. It was assumed that many of the youth would not utilize traditional

stabilization or support services. It was also assumed that many individuals had a number of barriers which must be overcome if they were to stop squeegeeing and to enter the workforce. These barriers included homelessness, lack of identification, erratic sleeping patterns, drug usage and other life style issues. In addressing these assumptions, the SWYM Project would offer to homeless, street-involved youth who engage in squeegeeing or panhandling the following services:

Street Outreach

Contact through Street Outreach in providing referrals to agencies who could assist with housing, health or support services.

If not interested or eligible for the ten week programs, referral assistance in locating employment preparation programs and/or as job placement.

Assessment

Assistance in completing the application for the 10 week stabilization and employment preparation module.

Stabilization and Job Preparation

Access to a program that will focus on both soft and hard skill development. The soft skills will include life skills, addictions, housing, nutrition, health, life style issues. The hard skills will focus on Bike Repair, Computer's, Web Page Design, and Food Preparation among others.

The program will be offered three days a week for a minimum of four hours a day. Youth attending will receive an hourly wage and a meal each day.

Case Management Support and Referral to Employment Preparation

Individuals contacted and eligible for SWYM services will be offered ongoing support in attending to outstanding legal issues, in acquiring identification, in finding housing, in accessing addiction support services

Assessments in job readiness will also be provided, including referrals for employment or employment skill development.

Ongoing follow-up and support in receiving services that reduce barriers to employment will also be provided.

In operationalizing this Service, an individual was hired at the end of June to serve as the SWYM Project Manager. This individual in collaboration with other consortium members were instrumental in finding a location for SWYM's office and in conducting street outreach. These outreach efforts led to the recruitment of 20 youth for the first ten week stabilization and employment readiness preparation program. Other start up activities undertaken in July included the selection, recruitment and training of two senior employment outreach workers. The role of these two individuals included conducting outreach, providing assessments and referral, organizing acceptance into the ten week stabilization and employment preparation modules and maintaining a case management function. This case management function included assistance to youth in establishing goals, in accessing services that reduce barriers to employment and in monitoring ongoing progress in terms of goal attainment. This case management function also includes the resolution of interpersonal conflicts, appearances in court and/or in arranging for a methadone clinic assessment.

Purpose of Interim Evaluation Report:

The start up phase of the SWYM Project included plans to create an evaluation committee and to hire an external source from which to carry out an evaluation. The Terms of Reference were created, invitations to individuals and agencies with experience were distributed and ultimately, the CTI Canadian Training Institute was selected as the external evaluator. CTI proposed that a program logic model be created that rationalizes the program components, including identifying activities, outputs and outcomes to be achieved. The Terms of Reference also called for an interim report that identified outcomes achieved and modifications to be considered in enhancing program effectiveness.

This report describes our findings in evaluating the first seven months of operation for the SWYM Project. During this period four, ten week stabilization and pre-employment readiness modules were delivered. This report identifies and describes the SWYM Project components including: outreach to youth, assessment and referrals, admission to and completion of the ten week stabilization and employment preparation program and referrals to existing youth employment services such as Job Corp or actual employment opportunities. It also identifies the number of youth who utilized the services of the SWYM Project, their characteristics and the outcomes achieved.

Executive Summary - SWYM Project