Fordham’s Ravazzin Center has received $500,000 through a federal grant administered by Westchester County for its work with the Children and Family Institute.
The center, part of Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS), will evaluate a model used by Westchester Building Futures, under a grant awarded to reduce the risk of homelessness for foster care youth. Fordham’s National Center for Social Work Trauma Education and Workforce Development will also receive some funding.
Over the course of three years, GSS researchers will evaluate several components of the program’s work with homeless youth, including outreach, education, employment opportunities, and connections with families and support systems. The Fordham research team will also evaluate a network of peer-to-peer “navigators,” foster care teens that help other teens navigate the social service system.
“Sometimes youth don’t feel that the professionals understand them,” said Janna Heyman, PhD, professor of social work and chair of the center. “Having a young person that can say ‘I’ve been there’ and who can help connect them to professional support and guidance makes a big difference.”
Read the rest of the story in Inside Fordham.
