In the last decade, scientists have identified a period of prolonged — and vital — brain development in adolescence. Learn what the experts now know, and what child welfare workers need to know, about applying these findings to youths in foster care.

This study explores the stories and support systems of 29 individuals who recently exited foster care. Readers will learn how these participants feel about family, what their adult relationships look like and what supports they want, and need, as they navigate life after foster care.

This systematic review aimed to (1) identify and summarize empirical studies on youth with behavioral health disorders aging out of foster care and (2) address implications for behavioral health policy, research, and practice. Considering how fast youth who have behavioral health disorders fall through the crack as they exit foster care, one cannot understate the importance of incorporating timely and…

This study addresses three key research questions: (1) How do older youth in foster care define their personal permanency goals? (2) How much progress have these youth made in achieving their personal permanency goals and other aspects of relational permanency, and how does this vary by gender, race, and age? and (3) What transition-related outcomes are associated with relational permanency achievement?

On December 7, 2017, the British Columbia Coroners Service (BCCS) held a death review panel regarding persons who died while transitioning from youth to adulthood…. In the six-year period reviewed, 200 young people died. The review of the circumstances that resulted in their deaths provided panel members with valuable information to consider what could be done to prevent similar deaths. This report is…

When supported by strong practices and policies, positive school experiences can counteract the negative effects of abuse, neglect, separation, and lack of permanency experienced by the nearly 400,000 U.S. children and youth in foster care. With crosssystem collaboration, we are positioned to build on what is being learned, bring about change, and promote success for all children and youth in foster care.

This chapter explores the reasons for the low rates of college attendance and completion by foster youth and makes recommendations for improvements. In particular, it focuses on the frequent lack of an effective link between foster youth and the resources that are available for making the transition to college and to a degree.

The current review summarizes the published literature on alcohol and drug outcomes for current and former foster youth. Specifically, prevalence of use and diagnoses are presented separately, as well as a review of risk and protective factors. (Child Youth Serv Rev)

The purpose of this research paper is to determine what efforts are being made to reduce the number of children who age out of foster care; which approaches are effective; and whether changes to the foster care system might improve the outcomes for the children who do age out despite the best efforts of those who serve them. (CA Polytechnic…