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Study Name
Study of Ecologically-Based Treatment (Housing-Only Comparison)
Study Sharepoint ID
101058.01
Evaluation name
Housing Stability, Employment, and Survival Behaviors among Young Mothers Experiencing Homelessness
Intervention (standard name)
Ecologically-Based Treatment
Outcome domains examined
Increase short-term employment
Strength of Evidence Tag
High
Reason for the Rating

This study received a high study quality rating because it is a low-attrition randomized controlled trial with no known issues that suggest the findings cannot be attributed to the intervention.

This study received a high study quality rating because it is a low-attrition randomized controlled trial with no known issues that suggest the findings cannot be attributed to the intervention.

Design
Randomized controlled trial
Services
Mental health services
Treatment or recovery services for substance use disorder
Housing supports and subsidies
Assessment
Benefit navigation/access
Goal setting
Case management
Populations targeted
Young adults (age 16-24)
Parents
Single parents
Homelessness
Substance use disorder
Settings in which the intervention was studied
Urban only

Subgroups

Subgroup data - Female
No
Subgroup data - Male
No
Subgroup data - White
No
Subgroup data - Black
No
Percent Young Adults
100.00
Percent substance dependent
100.00
Percent homeless
100.00
Percent female
100.00
Percent Parents
100.00
Percent Single Parents
92.90
Percent Black or African American
84.60
Percent White not Hispanic
4.20
Percent another race
11.30
Mean age
21.60
Group formation formatted
Individual mothers were recruited from urban shelters and drop-in centers using inclusion criteria for age (18–24), homeless status, custody of a child, and a diagnosed substance use disorder. After a baseline assessment, participants were randomized to Ecologically-Based Treatment (n=80), housing-only (n=80), or services as usual (n=80).
Study timing formatted
1 year
Study funding formatted
National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant # 2R01DA036589
Sample Characteristics
The study sample was composed of young homeless mothers between the ages of 18 and 24 who met clinical criteria for a substance use disorder and had custody of a biological child age six or younger. Across the three study conditions, 100% of participants were female with an average age of approximately 21.6 at study intake. Majority were single and never married (93 percent) and African American (85 percent).
Implementing organization formatted
Not described.
Program history
Ecologically-Based Treatment is a housing-first approach involving rapid-rehousing and supportive services. This pilot program sought to measure the effectiveness of Ecolocigally-Based Treatment in a large midwestern US city.
Treatment condition formatted
Young mothers experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders received three months of 100% rental and utility assistance. Participants also received six months of supportive services, including strengths-based case management, HIV prevention, and substance use/mental health counseling using the Community Reinforcement Approach.
Comparison condition formatted
Participants in the housing-only group received the three-month rental and utility assistance without the additional supportive services.
Mandatory services formatted
None
Timing of study formatted
3 to 6 months
Program funding formatted
Not described.
Setting details formatted
Large midwestern U.S. city.
Delivered by public or private entity?
Not described.
Secondary domains examined
Housing stability, Legal and illegal survival behaviors, Days of school and work
Earliest publication year
2025
Most recent publication year
2025
Manuscripts
101058_01_Zhang
Check edits flag
No
Primary Service
Case management
Services Unclear
This field is populated using a formula. Do not manually edit.
Enrollment Period
May 2015 to October 2018
Intervention Duration
6.00
Subgroup data - Hispanic
No
State & Region
Ohio