Alex Trout, Associate Research Professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders Center for Child and Family Well Being, was recently awarded nearly $3.5 million from the Institute for Education Sciences for her project, On the Way Home: Promoting Transition Outcomes in Youth with EBD or LD – An Efficacy and Replication Study. This research project will continue to examine aftercare, which a link in the continuum of services for youth served in the child welfare system and in out-of-home care. The model to be examined consists of three evidence supported interventions, Check & Connect – a dropout prevention intervention, Common Sense Parenting – a parent training program, and homework support. Previous findings suggested that with this support, just over 91% of youth maintained their placement in the home/community, as compared to just under 65% of the youth not receiving these supports. Similarly, for youth receiving On the Way Home support, approximately 89% had either graduated or were still enrolled in school as compared to less than 52% of the youth not receiving supports. This new grant will evaluate youth outcomes at a larger scale, and extend the services to other agencies serving youth in out of home care. In addition to Boys Town, the project will be working with CEDARS, Christian Heritage, NOVA, OMNI, and Omaha Home for Boys.