Each year, about 20,000 youth in the United States leave foster care and are left to fend for themselves, often leading to hardships such as homelessness, joblessness, early parenthood, and substance use. The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) emphasizes that these youth, who have been under the care of the government, deserve ongoing support and preparation for life after foster care to improve their chances of becoming successful community members. Teens aging out of foster care face significant challenges as they transition into adulthood. NACAC emphasizes that many youths leave foster care without a family when they reach the age of majority, typically 18 but sometimes as old as 21. To mitigate these risks, the child welfare system must thoroughly prepare youth for emancipation and provide support after they exit foster care. Advocating for teens aging out of foster care is crucial due to the significant challenges they face.
NACAC suggests several policy recommendations to improve outcomes for youth who age out of foster care. These include extending foster care to age 21, providing additional funding for programs like the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (Chafee program) in the U.S., ensuring comprehensive physical and mental health coverage through age 25, and creating comprehensive support services available for all youth through age 25 who have emancipated from care. Additionally, implementing and funding tuition waiver programs and expanding laws for undocumented foster youth are crucial.
Preparation for life after emancipation must be comprehensive, ongoing, and tailored to the youth’s specific strengths and needs. This includes developing an individual transition plan, receiving comprehensive training in general life skills, obtaining necessary documentation, and ensuring the youth has at least one committed adult for mentoring and support post-emancipation.
After emancipation, it’s vital to ensure each youth has at least one committed adult for mentoring and support, a safe place to live, a plan for education or obtaining a job, and access to public support including Medicaid and other services until age 25.
In New Mexico, approximately 30% of foster youth become homeless after aging out, and about 1 in 4 end up incarcerated. The stories of Roberta Gonzales and Nevaeh Sanchez illustrate the varied outcomes for those aging out of foster care. Gonzales, who spent her childhood in residential treatment centers and youth homeless shelters, struggled with homelessness and unemployment after aging out. In contrast, Sanchez, who received consistent support from a former court-appointed special advocate, Lori Woodcock, found stable housing and employment, highlighting the impact of having a supportive adult.
Several resources are available for teens transitioning to adulthood and for their advocates:
- FosterClub: Outlines 21 steps to prepare for transitioning out of care, including building a transition plan and securing housing.
- Youth.gov: Offers resources like articles, tools, videos, and podcasts for preparing for adulthood.
- College Preparation: Resources like “College Checklist for Foster Youth” and “Foster Care to Success” provide information on college and postsecondary education opportunities, including scholarships.
- Career Resources: “Get My Future” and “iFoster Jobs” present career opportunities, training, resume writing information, and job readiness assessment services.
- Financial Management: Investopedia and In Charge Debt Solutions offer financial tips and resources for managing, budgeting, and saving money.
- Housing Assistance: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative provide information and assistance with housing costs and rental assistance programs.
- Casey Life Skills Toolkit: Offers tools to assess independent-living skills and empower youths toward independence.
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Offers data briefs, such as “Fostering Youth Transitions,” highlighting challenges faced by foster youth and ways to support them.
- Thrive by 25 – A subset of The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Discusses youth homelessness and provides insights for leaders to support young people in finding stable housing.
The transition from foster care to independent adulthood is a complex and challenging journey for many youths. Adequate preparation, supportive policies, and access to resources are critical to ensuring these young adults can successfully integrate into society and lead fulfilling lives. Advocates play a vital role in this process, providing the necessary support and guidance to help these young adults navigate the transition.