Alameda County’s Youth Transitions Partnership Program: Lessons on Program Material Design

The YTP formative evaluation found that, on average, only half of the youth who were eligible for YTP enrolled in the program. Qualitative data collected during the formative evaluation suggested there was a lack of effective communication about YTP during the enrollment process, a need for more information about the purpose and activities of YTP, and a need to make the materials more youth-friendly. In response to these findings, the Alameda County Social Services Agency and the evaluation team at Chapin Hall revised the program enrollment materials. Then they gathered feedback from youth about the revised materials and asked for their input on how to make enrollment materials more useful and appealing to youth.

• Youth thought the revised enrollment materials were much more visually appealing and less formal than the original. Youth said the use of more colors, graphics, photographs, and quotes from participants made them more interested in reading the materials.
• Although the original and revised flyers presented essential program information, the layout in the revised version helped them better understand the information. Youth suggested that by better understanding the information they would be more likely to enroll in the program.
• Youth reported that it is useful to have paper program materials, even in an increasingly digital age. They also said it helps when program staff spend time with youth reviewing the information in the materials to make sure youth understand the program.

This brief discusses the use of interview and focus group methods to obtain feedback about program materials from youth. The interviews and focus groups discussed in this brief were conducted by the YTP evaluators at Chapin Hall.

• Focus on first impressions.
• Highlight important information.
• Present information in an accessible way.
• Design enrollment materials in partnership with youth.
• Gather feedback directly from youth before rolling out new enrollment materials.
• Consider other creative ways to disseminate information to youth. 

Van Drunen, Molly, and Amy Dworsky. Alameda County’s Youth Transitions Partnership Program: Lessons on Program Material Design. OPRE Report No. 2022-283. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022.