Research Report Opportunity Works Implementation Report
Lessons from the Back on Track Model for Opportunity Youth
Theresa Anderson, Breno Braga, Neil Damron, Teresa Derrick-Mills, Alan D. Dodkowitz, Micaela Lipman, Ananda Martin-Caughey, H. Elizabeth Peters, Eleanor Pratt, Mary K. Winkler
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The Opportunity Works intervention replicates and scales up the Back on Track framework to help opportunity youth—young people ages 16 to 24 not in school and not meaningfully employed—progress along educational pathways. Managed by Jobs for the Future and funded by the Social Innovation Fund, Opportunity Works operates in Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and South King County.

This report contains final implementation findings from the Urban Institute. It shares lessons on design, partnerships, data, staffing, and the Back on Track framework that may be useful to communities and policymakers considering similar programs for opportunity youth.

Quantitative Analysis Approach and Data Sources Appendix

Site Summary Appendix
Research and Evidence Family and Financial Well-Being Work, Education, and Labor
Expertise K-12 Education Higher Education Workforce Development Apprenticeships Early Childhood
Tags Employment Higher education Employment and education Secondary education Schooling Beyond high school: education and training Children and youth