Helping Foster Care Teens Grow Up

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

26 Dec 2007 09:56 PM

My last blog talked about a problem most people rarely think about: the high rates of homelessness, unemployment, dropping out of school before gaining a diploma, and unplanned pregnancy found among older teens who suddenly stop being cared for by the foster care system once they turn 18.

Many 18-year-olds are still in high school. Many more foster youth will not finish on time because of difficulties caused by changing schools due to frequent foster care moves. One agency providing tutoring to foster children estimated that their clients' reading levels were 5-6 years behind their age-this means an 18-year-old reading at a sixth-grade level. (And these are the kids who are coming to tutoring!) Not surprisingly, a study in Chicago found that only half the youth who left foster care were regularly employed three years later.

What is to be done? Some programs and states are experimenting with programs for former foster children. These might include group homes where they can live for 1-3 years while attending school and taking classes in life skills. Some states offer college scholarships, or even tuition at state schools. Some programs offer clubs with support groups, sibling locator registries, and other services.

Two things you can consider doing to help are becoming a mentor to a young person in the foster care system or a Court-Appointed Special Advocate A mentor may tutor a foster child, expose them to the world of careers, talk with them about the realities of working life, or simply serve as a friendly face who will stay in touch with them throughout moves within the foster care system through and moving out of the system.

If you have a little more time you might consider becoming a CASA volunteer. Court-Appointed Special Advocates receive training about the foster care system and the needs of children. They stay in touch with the child, foster parents, and relatives and serve as a consistent presence in the child's life. They often make recommendations to the court regarding the child's placement.

Of course, the problem of kids being on their own at eighteen can be reduced by increasing adoption, and increasing caring foster parents who can prepare youth for independent living and still be a loving presence in their lives. If you think becoming a foster parent or adopting an older child might be for you, please look into it. You are badly needed.

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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