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Youth Aging Out of Care: Assessing Self-Sufficiency and Well-being

This study examines the outcomes of former foster youth at age 19, focusing on their self-sufficiency and well-being. The research aims to provide guidance to states regarding compliance with the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act and inform social policy on the transition to adulthood for vulnerable populations.

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Youth Aging Out of Care: Assessing Self-Sufficiency and Well-being

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  1. Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19 Chapin Hall Center for Children University of Chicago

  2. Why Study Youth Aging Out of Care? • Their well-being, or the lack thereof, is a good indicator of how effectively the needs of foster youth in general are being met • They are a good population to study to better understand the transition to adulthood for “vulnerable” populations • U.S. social policy regarding the transition to adulthood focuses specifically on this group

  3. Purpose of Study • Gather information about services provided to foster youth in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin • Measure the young adult self-sufficiency of former foster youth • Provide guidance to 3 states regarding their compliance with and implementation of the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999

  4. Study Design and Sample Longitudinal study: survey data collected at three points in time Foster youth in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa who: • Were still in out-of-home care at age 17 • Had entered care before their 16th birthday • Had been placed in care due to abuse and/or neglect

  5. Study Design and Sample (continued)

  6. Demographic Characteristics

  7. Living Arrangements at Wave 2 But 13.8 percent of youth no longer in care had been homeless at least once since they were discharged

  8. Educational Risk Factors at Wave 1 • Placed in special education 47.3 • Repeated a grade 37.3 • Due to changes in foster care • Missed at least one month of school 24.5 • Changed schools at least 3 times 53.9 • Median reading score on WRAT 7th grade

  9. Many youth set high educational goals Wanted to graduate from high school 95.8 Wanted to graduate from college 71.4 Many youth had high educational expectations Expected to graduate from high school 88.1 Expected to graduate from college 60.2 Yet, despite their educational risk factors:

  10. Educational Attainment at Wave 2

  11. Employment and Earnings at Wave 2

  12. Pregnancy and Parenthood at Wave 2

  13. Criminal Justice System Involvement

  14. Criminal Justice System Involvement Since Wave 1 Interview

  15. Criminal Victimization Since Wave 1 Interview

  16. Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 • Requires states to use some portion of their Chafee funds to provide assistance (including room and board) and services to former foster youth who have aged out of care until age 21 • Allows states to extend Medicaid coverage to former foster youth until age 21—but few states have exercised this option

  17. Receipt of Independent Living Services at Wave 2 by Care Status Independent Living Subsidy Youth Development Health Education Housing Financial Management Employment/Training Education

  18. Physical and Mental Health Care Service Utilization at Wave 2 by Care Status

  19. Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance Disorders by Care Status at Wave 2 However, the youth who were no longer in care were MORE likely to meet the criteria for a mental health or substance disorder diagnosis

  20. Conclusions and Implications • Every year, nearly 20,000 youth who do not achieve permanency age out of foster care (DHHS, 1999) • These youth face considerable challenges including educational deficits and significant psychosocial problems

  21. Conclusions and Implications • The needs of these youth must be addressed by state child welfare agencies if the youth are to make a successful transition to early adulthood • What is less clear is how states can best prepare these youth for the challenges they will face- i.e., what independent living services or subsidies should be provided and to whom?

  22. Conclusions and Implications • However, our research suggests that youth may benefit if states allow them to remain in care until age 21 • States could increase access to health and mental health care services by extending Medicaid coverage to former foster youth until age 21

  23. Results from Wave 2 Midwest Study of Foster Youth Transitions to Adulthood: Outcomes at Age Nineteen Available at www.chapinhall.org

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