Research

Voices Heard | ◊ Aging Out | Infant Mortality | Girls in Juvenile Justice System

Aging Out of Foster Care

Youth are emancipated from foster care at age 18, five years younger than the median age of independence for youth who live with their birth parents. Research has found that youth emancipated from foster care are at high risk for homelessness, early parenthood, depression, crime, and substance abuse. Nationally, half these youth have a high school diploma or equivalent and are able to maintain steady employment for two to four years.

There are state and federal mandates to provide support for these youth both before aging out and after. Among them are:

  • Access to additional services until age 21 (including free tuition to attend a state college or university)
  • Road to Independence until age 23
  • Transitional support services until age 23

Florida mandates the following for youth ages 13-18:

  • Pre-Independent Living Services (for example, life-skills assessment, plans to correct deficiencies)
  • Life Skills Services (for example, independent living skills training, job training and/or higher education planning, assistance with finishing high school or completing a GED
  • Subsidized Independent Living

While the state has been progressive in requiring support, the organizations serving this population face many challenges. Among them are:

  • Insufficient number of trained case workers
  • Difficulty in providing early intervention efforts
  • Lack of accountability re service delivery
  • Difficulty in reaching youth in foster homes to provide counseling and training
  • Struggles in addressing youth's needs to "catch-up" in school
  • Affordable, appropriate housing for those aging out

The population of youth in this target group (ages 13-23) in Duval County is estimated to be:

  • 13-17 years: 261 girls (262 boys)
  • 18-23 years: 97 girls (65 boys)

Approximately 35 girls will age out in a given year.

Other counties in Northeast Florida report smaller populations.

Florida's Independent Living Advisory Council reported in 2006 on the issues and future needs for this population. Their overall conclusion: "Transition from foster care to successful adulthood requires intensive and coordinated efforts.."

With the intent of supporting efforts to that end, Women's Giving Alliance has supported two grants to help in addressing the needs of girls in the foster system, ages 13-18 as they prepare for independent living. Both the grants are awarded to Jewish Family & Community Services:

  • $70,000 over 3 years, "Get Moving."
  • $40,000 for a 1-year pilot program, "Building Bridges."

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