Youth Aging Out of Care: Youth Aging Out of Care: Education & Housing ConsiderationsEducation & Housing Considerations

Roxana Torrico, MSWChild 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)

Former Foster Youth are Former Foster Youth are Becoming HomelessBecoming Homeless

As many as three in ten homeless As many as three in ten homeless adults were formerly children in adults were formerly children in foster care;foster care;

Between 12 – 36% of former Between 12 – 36% of former foster care youth are foster care youth are experiencing homelessness; and experiencing homelessness; and

Homeless parents who spent time Homeless parents who spent time in foster care as children are 2xs in foster care as children are 2xs as likely to have their own as likely to have their own children placed in foster care. children placed in foster care.

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

Limited life skills upon discharge Limited life skills upon discharge from child welfare systemfrom child welfare system

Child welfare agencies with limited Child welfare agencies with limited housing expertise and resources housing expertise and resources necessary to assist youthnecessary to assist youth

Limited support networksLimited support networks Harsh economic realitiesHarsh economic realities Expensive housing costs!!!!Expensive housing costs!!!!

Most Expensive Places for Most Expensive Places for Youth to Live on their OwnYouth to Live on their Own

Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apartment:

District of Columbia $20.77Hawaii $18.57California $18.11Massachusetts $18.32Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum

wage to afford a one bedroom:District of Columbia 126Hawaii 119California 107Massachusetts 109

Out of Reach 2005, NLIHC

Experiences of CWLA’s National Foster Youth Advisory Council

““College was my housing plan.”College was my housing plan.”

“ “My state discharges youth at 19 My state discharges youth at 19 or when you complete highschool or when you complete highschool – I purposely delayed graduation – I purposely delayed graduation to avoid homelessness.”to avoid homelessness.”

““I returned to my biological I returned to my biological family because I had no where family because I had no where else to go.”else to go.”

(Group discussion to develop NFYAC Housing Position Statement)(Group discussion to develop NFYAC Housing Position Statement)

Recommendations

Know the different types of placements for Know the different types of placements for foster youth (i.e. group homes, scattered foster youth (i.e. group homes, scattered site apts, etc.)site apts, etc.)

Become familiar with your state’s Become familiar with your state’s discharge policy for youth preparing to discharge policy for youth preparing to age out of careage out of care

Connect with youth’s child welfare worker Connect with youth’s child welfare worker and inquire about his or her discharge planand inquire about his or her discharge plan

Recognize the impact of “aging out” on Recognize the impact of “aging out” on youthyouth

Benefits of Partnerships & Benefits of Partnerships & CollaborationsCollaborations

Cross System Dialogue

Help Fill In the Gaps

Improved Services for Young People

Decreased Homelessness for Emancipated Youth