A Discussion on the Aging Out of the Youth Population of the Foster Care System

The journal article entitled “Aging Out’ Gracefully: Housing and Helping Youth Transition Smoothly out of the Foster Care System” by Gabrielle Richards studies the youth population of the foster care system. That are about to face the transition into independent lifestyles after reaching the age of 18, or ‘aging out’ of the system. This article follows the stories of two individuals who have been involved with the foster care system. exploring their different experiences, how they transitioned to independent living and what they were able to use. The author addresses the abrupt paradigm shift that these children experience after ‘aging out,’ . Also the lack of resources available to these children that may prepare them to deal with the shift in the positive ways possible.

At the beginning of the article, the author mentions the high rates of homelessness within the population of young people who recently aged out of the foster care system. “Each year, about 30,000 foster care youth age out of the foster care system. Many of them exit without finding a stable, affordable, permanent living arrangement… An estimated 14-30 percent of these youth will experience at least one night of homelessness in the first one to three years following emancipation” (Richards, 2014). The author continues on to illustrate the fact that -due to a child’s consistent movement from one foster home to another – individuals who are about to age out of the foster care system have complications finding stability and comfort in any living situation as it is. “…The national 2010 average was 3.1 foster care placements per child. Given this much movement, it is often difficult for foster care youth to develop consistent and beneficial relationships with peers and foster care families” (Richards, 2014).

Emily, a college sophomore who had been supported by the foster care system from the ages of 15 to 19, was acknowledged in the article as one who took advantage of certain support programs available to her. She was able to be supported until the age of 19 in order to earn her high school diploma and continue on to pursue higher studies. “While she took advantage of the programs available to her and was granted a foster care extension, most of these programs are not accessible to foster care youth, or those eligible for them simply don’t know they exist” (Richards, 2014). While these types of services are available in some areas, most states hold true to their ‘age-of-eighteen- deadline. “According to the Jim Casey Initiative… only three states have extended the ‘age-out’ deadline from 18 to 21, and seven states have extended Medicaid from 18 to 21…only four states have helped youth aging out secure waivers for post-secondary education” (Richards, 2014). Even with her opportunity for education secured, Emily still experienced hardships finding a place to stay during the holidays when her college dorm was unavailable. The author quotes Emily stating “Most of the time I lived with friends when I couldn’t find a place to stay during the break.” Michael, a foster care resident for nine years, experienced similar hardships with his housing situation after he transitioned out of the foster care system. Michael worked three job in order to pay his rent, forcing him to leave school to keep up with his bills. Because his mother was fortunate enough to secure an apartment and rid herself of her addictions, Michael was allowed to live with his mother once again at the age of 17. Due to his age, he did not technically age out of the system, therefore, certain programs that would have been available to him were not an option.

Programs are in place to help support youth aging out of the system despite the lack of education given to foster care residents about these programs. These programs assist those aging out by providing funding for independent living services as well as support the residents themselves through welfare. These services include the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, Section 8 (Housing Choice Vouchers), Family Unification Programs, and Continuum of Care services (Richards, 2014). Once again, while these services are available, there is really a low portion of the population taking advantage of them. “The Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that only 14 percent of FUP vouchers have been awarded to foster care youth. Further, 70 percent of PHAs surveyed for the report say that Public Child Welfare Agencies, who are the gatekeepers of FUP vouchers, have not referred any foster care youth to them” (Richards, 2014).

The journal article “Aging Out’ Gracefully, Housing and Helping Youth Transition Smoothly out of the Foster Care System” by Gabrielle Richards examined the struggles of young people adjusting into individualized lifestyles after being emancipated from the foster care system. While there are services available to support them, the quality of these services vary from state to state. Not only that, but the education given to children in foster care regarding support programs is insufficient in some areas; the children are simply unaware of them. During their time in foster care, children should be taught how to adjust properly to the typical ‘adult lifestyle’ rather than be abruptly turned away from a foster care organization. In order for these children to have been placed in foster care, they have already dealt with a major transition into the system. To the best of their abilities, foster care organizations should properly educate their residents as to what options they have in order to smoothly find their own way.

References

• Richards, G. (2014, August). “Aging Out” Gracefully: Housing and Helping Youth Transition
• Smoothly Out of the Foster Care System [Electronic version]. Journal of Housing and Community Development, 18-21.

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