Youth Aging Out of Care: Education

1
Youth Aging Out of Care Education Housing
Considerations

• Roxana Torrico, MSW
• Child Welfare League of America
• 2006 NAEHCY Annual Conference

• A house is a home, when it shelters the body and
  comforts the soul.
• -Phillip Moffitt (1986)

2
Former Foster Youth are Becoming Homeless

• As many as three in ten homeless adults were
  formerly children in foster care
• Between 12 36 of former foster care youth are
  experiencing homelessness and
• Homeless parents who spent time in foster care as
  children are 2xs as likely to have their own
  children placed in foster care.

3
What are young people aging out of foster care
facing??

• Limited life skills upon discharge from child
  welfare system
• Child welfare agencies with limited housing
  expertise and resources necessary to assist youth
• Limited support networks
• Harsh economic realities
• Expensive housing costs!!!!

4
Most Expensive Places for Youth to Live on their
Own

• Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom
  apartment
• District of Columbia 20.77
• Hawaii 18.57
• California 18.11
• Massachusetts 18.32
• Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum
  wage to afford a one bedroom
• District of Columbia 126
• Hawaii 119
• California 107
• Massachusetts 109
• Out of Reach 2005, NLIHC

5
Experiences of CWLAs National Foster Youth
Advisory Council

• College was my housing plan.
• My state discharges youth at 19 or when you
  complete highschool I purposely delayed
  graduation to avoid homelessness.
• I returned to my biological family because I
  had no where else to go.
• (Group discussion to develop NFYAC Housing
  Position Statement)

6
Recommendations

• Know the different types of placements for foster
  youth (i.e. group homes, scattered site apts,
  etc.)
• Become familiar with your states discharge
  policy for youth preparing to age out of care
• Connect with youths child welfare worker and
  inquire about his or her discharge plan
• Recognize the impact of aging out on youth

7
Benefits of Partnerships Collaborations
Cross System Dialogue ? Help Fill In the
Gaps ? Improved Services for Young
People ? Decreased Homelessness for Emancipated
Youth