The Generational Opportunities to Achieve Long-Term Success (GOALS) program provides comprehensive, residentially based services to Arapahoe County families experiencing homelessness. GOALS is a collaboration between the Arapahoe County, Colorado Department of Human Services and Family Tree, a non-profit community service provider. Using a 2Gen framework, GOALS sets out to effectively help families living in poverty gain stable housing, economic security, and family well-being.
CPR conducted both formative and outcome evaluations of the GOALS program. The formative evaluation (phase I) focused on the process of conceiving, planning, launching the program, and the experiences of the first families served. A synthesis of feedback from these residents and key management team advisors on the early phase of program development is provided, concluding with lessons learned from Phase I. The outcomes evaluation (phase II) incorporated a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the GOALS model. Outcomes were tracked and reported twelve- and twenty-four months post program enrollment through interviews and administrative data. Results from the evaluation showed that GOALS achieved positive outcomes for families in the areas of health and wellbeing, education, economic stability, and housing stability.