Transitions to Adulthood

O Approximately 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year.
O With the exception of incarcerated youth, foster youth are the only group that is involuntarily separated from their families through government intervention.

O The primary purpose of this separation is to protect youth from harm by their caregivers,
O State decides when these 20,000 foster youth are ready to be on their own

O Roughly 500,000 youth live in foster care
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3/5 children of color
51% male
Median age of 10
Half in non-family, 24% kinship, 17% group homes

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State decision due to
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Abuse
Neglect
Dependency
Typically try to intervene before removal
Prior to removal there’s a “permanency plan”
If impossible, find home

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Vast majority find permanent home
O 85% adopted or w legal guardian
Some are emancipated into independent living, usually b/c they reached 18

O 37% of foster youth aged 17–20 had not completed high school degree or received a GED. They more often
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O suffer fm mental health problems become involved in crime are victims of crime frequently homeless.
O former foster youth are more likely to
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O be employed than their peers rely on public assistance; and
Live in poverty
Have children outside of marriage
Have marital problems.

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Given prolonged transition to adulthood, states should provide extended assistance
Parents provide 38K between 18-34.
Unwise to cutoff at 18
Extending care past 19 results in improved educational, health, and mental health outcomes

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majority are in care for a relatively short time
Only about 7% of youth in out-of-home care
“age out” of care

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Older youth (aged 16–18) are
O more likely to be living in group homes (the least “family-like” settings).
Youth in these settings are also less likely to form the kind of lasting relationships with responsible adults
O care facilities are typically staffed by relatively young shift workers with high turnover.

O The main program that supports youth during this transition is the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999,
O commonly known as the Chafee Act, it provides $140 million in funding per year.
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(mental health services life skills
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Mentoring employment preparation education, and others), stipends for housing, extended Medicaid eligibility
O through age 21 at state option.
O valuable to foster youth, who often must contend with mental health issues arising from their traumatic pasts

O Medicaid was only available to prior
O provides states funding for vouchers for education and training to youth who
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O have aged out of foster care have been adopted from the public foster care system after age 16.

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Uneven use of services
Not much $ per youth ($1400)
Programs reinvent the wheel
Target population, program misses:
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O many foster youth who are discharged from care before age 18 to their family of origin, usually a parent.
Some of the most vulnerable, given their longer turbulent family histories. ruaways from foster care before they turn 18.

O Signed into law in 2008 (went into effect
2011)
O extends federal support for youth to age 21

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Since 1985 policies have given states more flexibility and money for youth 18-21, but most don’t provide past 18
90% still don’t receive services permitted by law
O Often lose health care at 18

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Provides care, housing, and federally distributed financial support to all youth 18-
21 so long as youth are
O Completing high school or equivalent
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Employed
Enrolled in a vocational program
Requires that youth meet with caseworker prior to exiting the system