Working with Families Facing Severe Hardship: Lessons from the Families In Transition Program (S. Bliss, R. London, D. Goldsmith Tanguay) May, 2005 #596-11 (PDF:305KB)
FIT serves as an example of an effective alliance structure between the public sector and a nonprofit service provider. This policy brief offers a case study of FIT, highlighting program features that have been instrumental in addressing the needs of client families. It also identifies promising strategies from FIT's program model in the areas of client assessment, case management and staff development. The approaches presented here have the potential for wide replication by state and local welfare offices, nonprofit organizations, One-Stop Career Centers, public housing authorities and others that work with hard-to-serve populations.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Final Report (R. London, D. Tanguay) Nov, 2003 #596-10 (PDF:597KB)
This report is the eighth and final in a series of reports that examines the services FIT provides and the outcomes experienced by participating families. Focuses on findings in two specific areas: operational achievements and challenges and outcomes of families served by FIT.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Focus on Child Well-Being, Year Seven Report (D. Goldsmith Tanguay,R. London) Jan, 2003 #596-9 (PDF:659KB)
This report is the seventh in a series of annual reports that examines the effects of FIT's services on the outcomes of the families it serves. We summarize findings in three specific areas: operational achievements and challenges, outcomes of families served by FIT, and child-well being outcomes.

Families in Transition: Serving Families with Multiple Barriers to Self-Sufficiency - Comparing Outcomes for Graduating and Non-Graduating Leavers (Policy Paper #2) (D. Goldsmith, R. London) May, 2002 #596-2 (PDF:300KB)
This policy brief, the second in a series from BPA's ongoing evaluation of FIT, is intended to share knowledge gained from the program's experience in working with the hardest-to-serve families. It includes a discussion of recent changes in the program's caseload, with a focus on two key facets of assisting the hardest-to-serve: (1) how the number and severity of employment barriers affect participants' graduation from FIT and the length of time they spend in the program, and (2) changes in family well-being between program entry and exit, comparing outcomes for families that graduate from FIT with outcomes for families that do not graduate. Drawing on FIT's approach to helping families move toward self-sufficiency, the policy brief concludes by offering several lessons that can assist other social service providers in working with the hardest-to-serve.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year Six Report (D. Goldsmith, R. London) Dec, 2001 #596-8 (PDF:409KB)
This report summarizes changes that have occurred in program operations in 2001 and updates previous analyses of client demographic and outcome data. We highlight key aspects of the FIT model that contribute to its effectiveness, as well as lessons for program replication. Findings indicate that FIT has recovered from the flux of staff turnover and on the whole is accomplishing many of its program objectives, including helping clients to achieve stable housing, address personal barriers, and strive towards self-sufficiency.

Families in Transition: Serving Families with Multiple Barriers to Self-Sufficiency (Policy Paper) (D. Goldsmith, R. London) Jun, 2001 #596-1 (PDF:167KB)
Interim report for the Year One FIT Evaluation. This case study provides an in-depth description of the FIT model for serving hard-to-serve families and the outcomes FIT participants have achieved. It also includes information on services received and the intensity of FIT services, tracked at quarterly intervals. The study offers an in-depth examination of the problems faced by families with multiple barriers to self-sufficiency and the progress made by these families throughout their participation in FIT. Provides an example of a successful strategy for serving difficult populations.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year Five Report (K. Lodewick,R. London, S. Worcel) Jan, 2001 #596-7 (PDF:381KB)
This report completes the first phase of the evaluation of the Families in Transition program. We highlight the strategies of the FIT model that contribute towards its effectiveness, as well as the need for further program improvements to meet identified needs.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year Four Report (K. Lodewick) Jun, 2000 #596-6 (PDF:444KB)
Summarizes changes that have occurred in program operations over the past six months and expands upon previous analysis of client demographic and outcome data.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year Three Report (R. London, K. Lodewick) Jan, 2000 #596-5 (PDF:318KB)
Summarizes program operations changes over the past six months and presents the first analysis of client demographic and outcome data. Findings indicate that FIT has successfully responded to identified program challenges and continues to address on-going program developments with foresight.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year Two Report (R. London, K. Lodewick) Jun, 1999 #596-4 (PDF:93KB)
Updates previous information on program operations and implementation and expand upon our initial assessment of the Families in Transition program.

Evaluation of the Families in Transition Program: Year One Report (R. London, K. Lodewick) Jan, 1999 #596-3 (PDF:73KB)
The first of several semi-annual evaluation reports of the Families in Transition program. The focus of this report was largely to provide a descriptive baseline documenting program operations and implementation.