Journal of Education & Social Policy

Giving Children the Tools to Bounce Back: A Program Evaluation of a Social-Emotional Learning Program at a Summer Camp for Children Experiencing Homelessness
Mayaugust P. Finkenberg

Abstract
Homelessness is a profoundly adverse experience for children and can set the stage for a lifetime of risk. One innovated non-profit agency sought to create a summer program for children living in homeless shelters and transitional housing that could mitigate risk and build protective factors to bolster their ability overcome adversity. A post-factor evaluation of the implementation of this social emotional program was conducted. This evaluation examined the context, resources, program fidelity and outcomes using existing data, focus group interviews and surveys. The findings of this study indicate that an SEL program can be implemented effectively in a summer camp serving children living in homeless shelters and transitional housing. Early product evaluation findings indicate growth and development in social-emotional learning.

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