Direct service providers and statewide nonprofits play indispensable connector roles between youth needs and policy in both states¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · qualitative r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Nonprofits combining direct service with policy advocacy, such as Treehouse, Bridge cross-system work for highly mobile youth in Washington. → Harrington 2026

Evidence¶

Harrington 2026¶

Harrington, H., Willis, J., Bishop, J. P., & Cazares-Minero, M. (2026). Highly mobile youth: How state policy and local implementation can work together to support youth. WestEd; Center for the Transformation of Schools, UCLA. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED681372

q2 · i? · qualitative · r2

Washington interviews. A senior Treehouse leader describes a two-pronged approach of direct services (education, material, and financial resources) plus policy, advocacy, and systems change work including lobbying and leading coalitional groups across agencies.

"We provide direct service, and a suite of services, including education support, material resources, and financial resources for youth. The other thing that we do is policy, advocacy, and systems change work."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Washington advances cross-sector coordination through a policy-driven, centralized model anchored in legislation such as Project Education Impact and standardized definitions — related
• Colorado uses a local-first, state-supported model in which districts and local providers initiate cross-sector work and state policy scales successful innovations — related
• In both Colorado and Washington, youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness are consistently prioritized in policy and practice, while migrant and justice-involved youth remain less reliably supported — related
• Teachers reported that integrated community school supports allowed them to prioritize student-centered learning opportunities — related
• State administrators report using external entities such as regional centers and nonprofits to extend school improvement capacity and reach local needs — related
• States draw on federal, state, and local funding sources to develop and sustain statewide leadership initiatives — related
• Inconsistent terminology across agencies and restrictive data-sharing rules are central barriers to identifying and serving highly mobile youth in both states — related
• Coordination of Services Teams (COSTs) are used universally in Oakland Unified schools to connect students and families with academic, mental, behavioral, and physical health supports — related