Developed in 1996 by staff at the Institute on Disability (IOD), RENEW is being provided by schools, community mental health centers, and community-based providers to young people throughout the U.S and in Denmark. The model focuses on engaging each youth to design and pursue a plan for the transition from school to adult life. RENEW has substantially increased the high school completion, employment, and post-secondary education participation rates among our most vulnerable youth.
Youth Voices
In this short video, youth explain how the RENEW process worked for them.
Key Features
- Self-Determination
- Personal Futures Planning
- Creative and Individualized School-to-Career Planning
- Strengths-Based Approach
- Unconditional Care
- Building Family and other Natural and Community Supports
- Wraparound
- Systemic Support and Consultation
Outcomes
- Improved educational outcomes (increased graduation rates, post-secondary education participation)
- Increased employment rates
- Improved functioning in school and in the community
- Reductions in behavior problems in school and in the community (including reduced juvenile justice involvement)
- High youth satisfaction rates
- Increased youth self-determination and self-efficacy skills
- Studies from various cohorts (projects) support these outcomes
