December 1, 2008

Services for Youth Transitioning From Foster Care: Views of Foster Youth and Foster Parents

The 2008 Legislature included a budget provision for the Institute to survey foster youth and foster parents on how well current services are meeting needs of youth aging out of foster care. Of the 169 foster youth surveyed, 84 percent believed they were very or somewhat prepared to live on their own. In contrast, only 46 percent of foster parents (out of 194 surveyed) rated their foster children in these categories. Foster youth and parents identified money, work, and housing as challenges for transitioning youth; needed services identified by both groups include continued state support, Independent and Transitional Living provider services, and improved preparation of foster youth through more classes and support.