May 26, 2009

HEY Statistics: Health and Disabilities: Statistics about Current and Former Foster Youth

Honoring Emancipated Youth, also known as HEY, discusses in this report how foster youth and emancipated foster youth experience disproportionally high mental health and physical health needs. Youth who have physical or mental disabilities, experienced trauma, or have other health problems are more likely to enter the foster care system, more likely to develop health problems in care and more likely to experience health problems after emancipation. These facts are compared to those youths who never enter the foster care system.