Aging Out of Foster Care

“In simple terms, most of them were put out into the world on their own without housing, financial assistance or emotional support.”1

Over 23,000 children a year age out of foster care in the US (nfyi.org) with the majority not having been reunited with family or put into a new permanent home. Upon turning 18, 20% will become homeless. Many won’t have employment, the ability to pay bills, or the preparation to live self-sufficiently. They are without a family, and often without the necessary skills and material support they need to not only survive, but to thrive.

The harmful effects of aging out at 18 without a “family” or appropriate support are potentially numerous and can persist across a lifespan. It can affect their education, from completing high school to pursuing higher education. Evidence shows that they have less than a 3% chance in obtaining a college degree in their lifetime. Only about half will have gainful employment by the age of 24. The rates of PTSD for foster kids who aged out are twice of that of US War Veterans. They are also more at risk for delinquency, substance addiction, and teen pregnancy. Many of the kids who enter foster care are being taken out of abusive family situations. They are taken from their families with a promise of a better life that will include a family. A promise that is falling dramatically short.

“We need to give them access to resources so that if an adoption isn’t available, they will still have tools, a supportive environment, and people who care about their dreams.” 2 

There is a call to extend foster care beyond 18, create more transitional care centers, improve adoption rates for older children, and to provide greater more accessible resources for youths. Foster kids like all kids need emotional support, money management skills, tools and confidence to speak up for themselves, and how to successfully apply to jobs and schools. Some states have worked to extend aging out to 21 and improving the conditions for foster kids that age out, but there are many states that haven’t nor is the work complete in the states that have made this attempt. There needs to be a movement. People need to be informed of the statistics, myths need to be dispelled, and action needs to take place. Turning 18 shouldn’t be a penalty for a child, especially one that leaves them so vulnerable. They are children who are entrusted to the state, the people, and deserve better.

-JTS

                                                            Discimus ut serviamus

More info:

5 Reasons to adopt a teen aging out of foster care

51 Useful Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics 

Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Struggle in 'Real World’

We are abandoning children in foster care

References:

Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (2016, February 26). Infographic: 5
              reasons to adopt a teen aging out of foster care.[blog post]. Retrieved from:

https://chlss.org/blog/infographic-5-reasons-to-adopt-a-teen-aging-out-of-foster-care/

Sorbonne, R. (2014, April 17). We are abandoning children in foster care. CNN U.S Edition.

Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/16/opinion/soronen-foster-children/index.html

  

NFYI. (2017, May 26). National Foster Youth Institute. Retrieved from:

 https://www.nfyi.org/51-useful-aging-out-of-foster-care-statistics-social-race-media/

Talamo, L. (2017, March 19). Youth aging out of foster care struggle in 'real world’. U.S. News & World
               Report. Retrieved from:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/louisiana/articles/2017-03-19/youth-aging-out-of-
foster-care-struggle-in-real-world