Outreach with street-involved youth: A quantitative and qualitative review of the literature

Outreach workers meet with street-involved youth in their environment, and attempt to engage them in services vital to their well-being. The goal of this study is to conduct a systematic review of both the quantitative and qualitative research that explores outreach with street-involved youth. Using 16 outreach programs with quantitative information, our meta-analysis found that 63% of youth who are contacted through outreach later participate in the offered service. Our meta-synthesis of 31 qualitative articles on outreach uncovered 13 themes across 4 conceptual domains of interest. Themes pertaining to the therapeutic relationship, flexibility, and youth-centric programming had a large presence among the majority of the articles. Outreach with street-involved youth, when characterized through a strong bond between worker and youth, is an effective strategy for involving youth in agency services.

► We conduct a meta-analysis and synthesis of outreach with street-involved youth. ► We explore the rate of effectiveness and themes concerning outreach. ► Meta-analysis of 16 articles indicates outreach engages 63% of youth contacted. ► Meta-synthesis indicates that three key constructs are related to successful outreach. ► The key constructs: flexibility, a strong relationship, and youth-based programs.