We spoke with young people to ensure that we understood their perspectives on services they received. This helped us understand what they thought worked well and what needed to change. We heard that many emerging adults who have been involved with Children’s Services have a history of trauma, substance use and mental health issues, and they do not always feel…
Using a scoping review framework, we sought to take stock of the state of the science of the programs and interventions (PIs) currently available for young people who age out of foster care. We offer research recommendations regarding how the field can move forward with promoting improved wellbeing of young people in care as they transition to adulthood. (Children and…
The 26 states approved to use federal funds to extend foster care reported allowing a range of independent living options, such as shared apartments or college dorms. We also found that selected states help prepare young people to live independently by offering training in areas like financial literacy and daily living skills.
(Book) Caring Adults R Everywhere (C.A.R.E.) is a research-informed, social justice-oriented social support intervention for older youth in foster care that utilizes the power of connection to caring adults through natural mentoring. The goal of this manual is to provide child welfare organizations with the vision and practical tools needed to facilitate and support the development of growth-fostering relationships between…
With the support of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, Child Trends examined the relationship between extended foster care and young adult outcomes. Specifically, we analyzed information on foster care history (e.g., age of entry, exit reason, placement type), young adult outcomes ( e.g., homelessness, employment), and independent living services (e.g., educational aid).
This publication provides a comprehensive review of data and research, laws, and promising programs impacting the educational success of children in foster care. It consists of four sections that can individually or collectively inform advocates, policymakers, agency leaders, and other key stakeholders.
The data presented include key metrics of progress categorized primarily by the type of institution supplying the information, i.e., community college or four-year university, and then by the milestones which guide the CCP approach: Are foster youth EQUIPPED with essential resources to succeed and ENROLLED in a college or training program? Have they EARNED a college degree and/or certificate? Future…
This report serves as a foundation for understanding institutional structures, policies, and practices that can support improved educational outcomes for foster youth.
The findings in Accelerating Success and Charting the Course built on existing research that illustrates the educational achievement gap between foster youth and non-foster youth and some of the causes for this gap. The following report augments these previous studies and aims to answer key questions related to foster youth transitions from high school to community college.
This report presents demographic characteristics, health service access and use, and timing of key fertility-related milestones among adults aged 18–44 who had ever been in foster care as compared with those who had never been in foster care in the United States.