The Path from Services to Independence

The Path from Services to Independence


Family resources, both financial and emotional, smooth the transition to adulthood for youth. Teens in foster care, juvenile justice, and special education, however, often come from families whose economic resources are limited,

and in some cases, whose family relationships have degraded. As noted above, they are also challenged by a variety of physical and mental health issues. As a result, many of these youth continue to fare poorly as they enter adulthood. More than one-half of youth leaving the juvenile justice system and between 37% and 46% of youth leaving foster care had not finished high school. Rates of joblessness were high for youth exiting foster care (14–51%), juvenile justice (31%), and special education (19–36%). Approximately one-third of the youth leaving foster care were receiving cash assistance two years after leaving.

A. Dworsky and Mark Courtney

A. Dworsky and Mark Courtney

Become part of the Foster Care Aging-Out Project

Looking around... do you see, do you know some young person who struggles with needs financially, socially, spiritually, psychologically? Then, start a ministry - wrap around them with faith, love and support. Stand in the Gap ministry is just this simple! Power up, become part of the Foster Care Aging-Out Project.

Collaboration in Community

Whole life transformation for older youth in foster care is a combination of contributions from the individual youth, the foster care profession, schools, employers, and the faith community --- working together in UNITY for the sake of this one young life.