Community reinsertion success of street children programs in Brazil and Peru

After decades of assessing and describing the street children population, more attention is needed to evaluate the impact of street children programs on successful reinsertion into the community. The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of two model street children programs on successful reinsertion: Associãcao Promocional Oracão e Trabalho (APOT) in Campinas, Brazil and Instituto Mundo Libre (IML) in Lima, Peru. This study determined common characteristics of street children in the programs and predictors of community reinsertion success. The results suggest that the programs were successful. Overall, 56% of the residents at APOT and 48% of those at IML were successfully reinserted into the community at the time they left the program. For both programs, the majority of former residents that were successfully reinserted into the community returned to the homes of their families. Source of referral to the street children program, length of stay in the program, and prior formal education were important predictors of successful reinsertion. Detailed descriptions of these model programs are provided, including treatment approach and implementation of services. Implications for future program development and evaluation are addressed.

Research Highlights
► This study assesses the impact of two street children programs in Brazil and Peru.
► Results suggest programs were successful in reinserting children into the community.
► Referral source, length of stay, and education were key predictors of reinsertion.
► Detailed descriptions of these model programs are provided.