Identity

Identity's primary goal is to support our client's successful transition to adulthood by providing a range of rigorously evaluated programs grounded in the Positive Youth Development model. Our objectives are to reduce their risk factors, increase their protective factors, strengthen their social and emotional well-being and support their academic and economic achievements.
All programs are data driven, evidence-informed and evaluated.

To achieve our primary goal, Identity provides a range of culturally and linguistically appropriate and trauma-informed school and community-based services and supports that address the unmet needs of youth and families and their successful transition to adulthood.

All of our social and emotional learning, academic support and workforce development programs are supported by wraparound services such as family case management and behavioral health as a holistic approach has proven itself time and again to be crucial for helping vulnerable or disconnected youth by strengthening the capacity of their support systems.

Since 1998, Identity has been privileged to serve and gain the trust of tens of thousands of at-risk youth and families in Montgomery County. Recently, Identity has served 13,000+ youth and families during the pandemic. Over the years, the need for Identity's high impact, evidence-based, trauma-informed services delivered by bi-lingual staff has only grown.

Strong community involvement, research-based programs, needs assessments and rigorous evaluation are pillars of Identity. Our school and community-based programs are based on two proven models: Positive Youth Development (PYD) and the Stages of Change Model (SCM). The PYD model is a best practice that enables clients to attain significant improvements with regard to conflict resolution skills, self-efficacy, academic performance and school connectedness, as well as reductions in negative behaviors such as substance abuse and delinquent activities. The SCM identifies individuals on a continuum of readiness to change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and relapse.
In developing and implementing trauma-informed social/emotional, academic and workforce development support programs, Identity actively seeks community input through focus groups, key informant interviews, satisfaction surveys, process and outcome evaluation data, and ongoing feedback from advisory groups.

In addition, we carry out time-sensitive research studies in the community. In early 2000, we conducted the first-ever needs assessment of the area's Latino youth, laying the foundation for program development. We continue to conduct regular countywide needs assessments and research to ensure programming serves changing needs. For example, in 2014 we partnered with the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region on a survey of 1000 youth, culminating in Connecting Youth to Opportunity: How Latino Youth Perspectives Can Inform a Blueprint for Improving Opportunity in Montgomery County, MD. In 2015, Identity provided technical assistance and methodology to aid the completion of a companion research report entitled Connecting Youth to Opportunity: How Black and African American Youth Perspectives Can Inform a Blueprint for Improving Opportunity in Montgomery County, MD. In 2016, we completed a special report on Adverse Childhood Experiences: Trends among Identity Youth Participants, and we completed another study of 128 Children Fleeing Violence from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala to gauge the impact of gangs and to find out what they most want and need from community-based groups, schools and law enforcement.

During its twenty-three-year history, Identity has served tens of thousands of Latino youth and families in Montgomery County. In recent years, Identity has served 3000 – 3500 youth and their families annually, and in FY21at the end of FY21 Identity served 13,876 clients, benefitting 46,650 people because our services, including case management, support the whole family.

Identity youth realize real improvement in their ability to resolve conflict, speak up for themselves, connect to school and the community, and avoid substance abuse and delinquent behavior. Identity youth report better attendance, higher grades and their families report improved communication and more involvement in their children's educational achievement.

While we expect to continue to evolve to meet the growing and changing needs of vulnerable youth, we do not anticipate a serious pivot in direction or to make critical trade-offs.

We will continue to expand and improve Identity programs and services for in-school and out-of-school youth aimed at increasing social and emotional learning skills, academic achievement and workforce preparedness.

We will continue to advocate for systemic changes that address disparities in educational and employment opportunities and outcomes for youth.