“Aging Out” ofFoster Care

Erin Dudley, Stacey Griffin & Danielle Panciocco

What is aging out? When an adolescent is in the care of the

state (meaning they have not found an adoptive family), when they turn 18, they are formally discharged from state care and are responsible for themselves

Often times this means leaving there foster or group home, and living on their own.

To understand the foster care system we must first discuss the history…

History of Foster Care Slavery/Indentured-children used as laborers Almshouses Orphan trains Orphanages Children’s Aid Society – boarding homes Eventual development of foster homes

Foster parent assessments for suitability did not begin until 1930’s

(Crosson-Tower, 2001)

HistoryTHEN: the goal was to remove “good” kids

from “bad” parents (Crosson-Tower, 2009)

NOW: emphasis on permanency and family maintenance (Casey Family Services, 2005)

Foster homes are meant to be temporaryAid birth family in stress management and correction of safety issuesIf not possible – child remains in foster care, until adoption or turn the age of 18 (age out)

Statistics Foster Care

Approximately 500,000 youth are in foster care every year (Jansson, 2009)

Aging out Nearly 30,000 youth age out of foster care each

year on their 18th birthday, the age of emancipation (Partners for Our Children, 2010)

Connections All too frequently, youths turn 18 and are left to

fend for themselves without being adopted or having any permanent life long connections (Scannapieco, Connell-Carrick, & Painter, 2007)

Outcomes Adolescents are not properly prepared to be on their

own and as a result face lifelong challenges including: Unable to complete high school or pursue higher education Unemployment or underemployment Financial hardships including not having a bank account Unable to maintain steady housing

Approximately 30% of homeless Americans were in foster care at one point in their life (Jansson, 2009)

Physical and/or mental health illnesses from limited or no health care

Being arrested and/or incarcerated Teen pregnancy

Partners for Our Children (2010); The Children’s Aid Society (n.d)

Adolescent Development Hormonal changes and brain development

Underdeveloped frontal lobe Impacts decision-making

Puberty Estrogen/Testosterone Increased moodiness, risk taking, etc.

Importance of peers Autonomy Seeking Egocentrism

(Broderick and Blewitt, 2008)

Developmental Stage: Risky Behavior Peak of risk taking is approximate age 17 Why?

Modeling deviant behavior of peers Sensation seeking Adaptive?

A way to cope with stress and survive current situation

Brain development Egocentrism Sense of invulnerability

(Broderick and Blewitt, 2008)

How might this impact adolescents aging out of foster care? Greater risk-taking History of abuse/neglect/trauma Attachment Peers as a support system Lack of support

Resources Connections Family Education

Each of these impacts can be a contributing factor to the negative outcomes listed.

Government Intervention

Federal Legislation

1980 1990 2000

Federal government recognizes need in population

(Gardner, 2008)

Section 477 of Title IV-E of the Social Security Act –

Independent Living Program

•allows for optional extension of services until age 21 to allow for a stronger focus on independent living skills•stipulations prohibited use of funding for payment of room and board, which essentially made the funds unusable

(Dworsky & Courtney, 2009)

Family Unification Program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development

Youthbuild

Title IV-E replaced by John H. Chafee Foster

Care Independence Act•Grants to teach youth construction skills while completing high school education•Enhance skills for after care•In first 7 years, provided $300 million in grants nationwide

(Gardner, 2008)

•place aged out foster youth as high priority on Section 8 housing lists and provide 18 months of housing vouchers

•(Dworsky & Courtney, 2009)

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act• focus on development, permanency, self-

sufficiency, education and training programs, housing, and health and counseling services (Keller et al, 2007)

• $140 million of federal funding available to states, States much contribute a 20% match of funds (Gardner, 2008)

• allowed for 30% of funding to be used for room and board expenses (Dworsky & Courtney, 2009)

• 2001 – amendment adding Education and Training Vouchers– maximum of $5,000 per year towards higher education

or training expenses (Wells & Zunz, 2009)

New Hampshire Senate Bill 168 2007 tuition waivers for postsecondary education in

NH less than 23 years old in foster care for immediate 6 months before or on

18th birthday adopted from state custody following termination of

parental rights youth involved with DJJS in out-of-home placement

on 17th birthday maximum of 20 waivers granted annually

(“An Act Establishing”, 2007)

New Hampshire House Bill 502 2008 Extended Medicaid coverage through age

20 for former foster youth who are enrolled in postsecondary education

Establish a committee to study the state of Washington which extends care and services beyond age 18

(“An Act Extending”, 2008)

New Hampshire House Bill 702 2008 Voluntary extension of jurisdiction for

youth still in high school at age 18 Until complete high school or turn 21

Client may revoke consent of extension(“An Act Relative”, 2008)

DCYF Adolescent Program Goal: prepare youth with resources and

connections in the community to become self-sufficient and successful adults

Includes: NH Trails Curriculum (NH Teen Responsibility and

Independent Living Skills) Skill Trainings Tuition Waivers Youth Advisory Board Annual Conference Financial Assistance

(“Adolescent program”, n.d.)

Other programs DCYF is not the only agency working with this population There is a network of agencies dedicated to working with

foster and adopted youth

Other agencies include: Child and Family Services Job Corps Nashua Children’s Home Casey Family Services Riverbend

Interview: Lea Riley Lea Riley from the Nashua Children’s

Home supervises two programs for homeless youth Independent Living Program Transitional Living Program

Interview: Lea RileyNashua Children’s Home (NCH) Independent Living

Starts at 16 years old until age 18 (age out) Get job, start saving at least 75% of earnings Helps obtain Social Security card, birth certificate,

driver’s license

Transitional Living (TL) Apartment-style program

Apartments owned by NCH Assists in applying for college, getting and

maintaining a job, how to pay bills, etc. Not all children in TL are in foster care system

Lea Riley: How does NCH promote resiliency among aging-out kids? Weekly therapy sessions, family sessions

(when reunification applies) Classes for independent living Outside representatives to explain options

Examples: Military representatives Job core Social Security (Medicaid for health care) Tutors to promote success in school Volunteerism for kids (networking, exploring

strengths)

Lea Riley: How do you work with the State to promote success in aged-out kids? Ensure kids have health insurance through

Medicaid before leaving Assist in obtaining welfare if needed DCYF Aftercare Program

Financial assistance when needed until 23 Educate about state-funded resources

Example: soup kitchens

Lea Riley: What is your outlook for aging-out kids in NH by 2020? Hopeful, but poor Living costs are becoming unreasonable Recession & NH “budget crunch”

Courts may send children home too soon to cut costs

May result in: Higher crime rate Higher prostitution Higher rate of homelessness Lower education and success rate of children

Lea Riley: What challenges need to be addressed for the future to look more positive? Affordable housing More transitional living programs Specialized treatment for each

child Education for kids and staff

members Promotion of volunteerism for

kids (networking, identify passions and strengths)

Mentors

What can we do? Keep siblings together to improve and

maintain trust with other people Provide Extended Foster Care until age

21. Better trained Social Workers Additional programs to assist in Transition

NASW Policy Option Recommendations

ALL children eligible for foster care support Rewards states for reducing number of

children in foster care Provide financial assistance to federal

guardians to assist children over the age of 18

Federal foster care financing system that is flexible and sufficient

Looking to the future: Our group ideas of a plan for

2020 Mandatory extension of state jurisdiction of foster

youth until age 21 or completion of postsecondary education Prior to 18, independent living skills are not always applicable

and are therefore difficult to learn and master. Those youth who are still in high school at 18 are often forced

to drop out for reasons including not having an address and therefore not being able to remain enrolled and also needing to work to support oneself.

Extended jurisdiction would allow more time for these youth to master the skills that they need and to further their education to make themselves more competitive members of the work force and more likely to earn enough money to reduce housing and food insecurities and to have health care.

Looking to the future: Our group ideas of a plan for

2020

Additional funding for nonprofit agencies working with those youth who have aged out. Assist with learning independent living skills when the

youth is developmentally prepared for the skills and the skills are applicable

Help youth connect with resources in the community Connect with mentors in the community Provide housing while continue education with hope of

same result of extending jurisdiction

ReferencesAdolescent program. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2010 from

http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DCYF/adolescentprogram.htmAn Act Relative to Continued Jurisdiction in Child Protection Cases. HB 702. (2008).An Act Establishing Tuition Waivers for Foster Children. SB 168. (2007).An Act Extending Medicaid Coverage Through Age 20 to Individuals Who Were Foster Children and

are Attending Postsecondary School. HB 502. (2008).Avery, R.J. (2010). An examination of theory and promising practice for achieving permanency for

teens before they age out of foster care. Children & Youth Services Review, 32(3), 299-408.doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.10.011

Broderick, P. &Blewitt, P. (2006). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.

Casey Family Services. (2005). An integrated approach to youth permanency and preparation for adulthood. Retrieved from http://caseyconnectionv2.aecf.org/C0/C7/Focus%20on% 20permanency/Document%20 Library/casey_permanency_0505.pdf

Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire. (2010). Homeless teens and young adults in New Hampshire. Retrieved from http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/ publications/PB_Wauchope-Homelessyouth.pdf

Crosson-Tower, C. (2001). Exploring child welfare: A practice perspective (2nd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Dworsky, A. & Courtney, M. (2009). Homelessness and the transition from foster care to adulthood. Child Welfare. 88 (4). 23-56. Gardner, D. (2008). Youth aging out of foster care: Identifying strategies and best practices. National Association of Counties, 1-10.

Hill, K. (2009). Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999: What are the policy implications for youth with disabilities transitioning from foster care? Child Welfare. 88 (2). 5-23.

ReferencesJansson, B. (2009). The reluctant welfare state: Engaging history to advance social work practice in

contemporary society (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.Keller, T.E., Cusick, G.R., & Courtney, M.E. (2007). Approaching the transition to adulthood:

Distinctive profiles of adolescents aging out of the Child Welfare System. Social Service Review, 81(3), 453-484.

Partners for Our Children (2010). Major study shows young people who are out of foster care continue to face joblessness, homelessness, and low educational achievement into their twenties. Retrieved from http://caseyconnectionv2. aecf.org/news/news2010/april10/Midwest-study-04-07-2010.pdf

Pew Chartable Trusts (2007). Time for Reform: Aging Out and On Their Own. Retrieved from http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/Foster_care_reform/Kids_are_Waiting_TimeforReform0307.pdf

Riley, L. (personal communication, July 1, 2010)Scannapieco, M., Connell-Carrick, K., & Painter, K. (2007). In their own words: Challenges facing

youth aging out of foster care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 24(5), 425-435. doi: 10.1007/s10560-007-0093-x

The Children’s Aid Society. (n.d.) Aging out of foster care: Youth aging out of foster care face poverty, homelessness, and the criminal justice system. Retrieved from http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/ files/FosterCare.pdf

Wells, M. and Zunz, S. (2009). Chafee educational and training voucher programs: System coordination in rural New England. Child & Adolescent Social Work, 26(2), 103-120. Doi: 10.1007/s10560-008-0154-9.