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Running head: Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and Transitioning Into Independent Living

Imani Dawson
ENG202A
Final Research Paper
Penn State University

Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and Transitioning Into Independent Living
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if foster youth are prepared adequately for
transitioning into independent living after aging out of foster care. The research question for this
study asks, What resources are available to young adults who are in foster care, and how
effective are these resources to help foster youth transition into independent living? The first
hypothesis stated in my study is that foster youth are not aware of the resources available to them
and if they are, these resources require one to meet certain requirements, reducing their chances
of ever receiving the help they need. The second hypothesis stated that intervention and living
programs catered to foster youth are not as effective as they should be, resulting in the obstacles
former foster youth encounter after aging out. The sample consisted of a former foster child and
a professional. Interview was the only instrument of measurement used for the study. The results
of the survey pointed to the conclusion that foster youth are not presented with resources that
helps them become self-sufficient and have stable housing after foster care. In addition, case
workers and foster parents are not working efficiently and effectively as a team to provide the
best for the foster child which makes the transition from foster care to independent living
difficult.

Key Words: foster youth, independent living, aging out, foster care, transitional living,
intervention programs

Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and Transitioning Into Independent Living
Introduction
The number of children in foster care is astounding; however, what is more shocking is
the amount of children who age out of foster care. Each year, approximately 20,000 children
age out of the foster care system when they reach age eighteen; they are no longer eligible to
receive care from the state they reside in, and are forced to accept adult responsibilities that they
are not prepared for. Oftentimes, foster children lack guidance, emotional support, and resources
to help them find stable housing after foster care. As a result, these challenges place them at a
higher risk for unemployment, living in poverty, dependent on public assistance, early
parenthood, and incarceration. In order to understand the structure of the foster care system and
how it affects young adults lives after aging out, further research needs to be conducted. The
research questions proposed for this study asks, What resources are available to young adults
who are in foster care, and how effective are these resources to help foster youth transition into
independent living? The first hypothesis stated in my study is that foster youth are not aware of
the resources available to them and if they are, these resources require one to meet certain
requirements, reducing their chances of ever receiving the help they need. The second hypothesis
stated that intervention and living programs catered to foster youth are not as effective as they
should be, resulting in the obstacles former foster youth encounter after aging out.
Literature Review
In Their Own Words: Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Foster Care by ConnellCarrick et al. (2008) presents research that focuses on what is needed for a successful transition
for youth aging out of foster care. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of
the challenges foster youth encounter and how additional services could be helpful. The
researchers gathered their data by conducting group interviews that consisted of 72 participants

whom represented the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services foster care program
(current and former foster youth, foster parents, and case workers). Based on the group
interviews, former and current foster youth stated that they had no involvement of the decisions
that were made regarding their placement and what happened to them after foster care, there was
a lack of communication between the case workers, foster care youth and foster parents, and no
permanent connections when they aged out.
Connell-Carrick et al. (2008) concluded that three main factors revolved around youth
having a successful transition to adulthood which includes positive youth development,
collaboration, and permanent connections. Positive youth development enables foster youth to be
better prepared for transitioning from foster care to independent living, by allowing them to gain
life development skills that they can apply to the real world in order to be self-sufficient.
Collaboration between the case workers, foster youth, and foster parents ensures that everyone is
aware of what is needed for a smooth transition. Permanent connections will provide the foster
child with emotional support, guidance, and a lifetime support system. Case workers and foster
parents have to be willing to provide the foster youth with these three factors or else it will not be
effective. Although the researchers state these three factors can guarantee a smooth transition
from foster care to independent living, some foster youth think otherwise.
In the research study conducted by Petr (2008), foster care youth give insight on how
independent living programs structured their lives after aging out of foster care. The study
consisted of 27 individuals, 19 in custody and 8 out of custody. Based on the results, there were
two contrasting experiences. The research study presents stories from two individuals who aged
out the system. In As story, a young woman represents the positive side of foster care in which
she states that it saved her life. As situation is not the same for most of the foster youth. She was

blessed with a devoted, caring, and loving foster parent who showed her unconditional love. A
has a phenomenal support system that includes a mentor, foster parent who is about to adopt her,
and an independent living coordinator. A had the opportunity to attend college, work part time,
and live off campus with her friends. On the other hand, Cs story is more realistic if a foster
child has not been given adequate help and support. Petr (2008) states, C is now 18 and out of
state custody, is struggling to make ends meet, to obtain a job, and to complete his GED after
dropping out of high school. These stories are not representative of all foster youth; everyones
experience is different.
In order to delve deeper into why every foster childs experience is different after aging
out of the system, it is it essential to understand the variations between state rules and
regulations. In the article Review of State Policies and Programs to Support Young People
Transitioning Out of Foster Care Dworsky and Havlicek (2008) conducted research that
focused primarily on the variations between states when children become ineligible to receive
services from the state while in the system. Dworsky and Haylicek (2008) stated, Research
suggests that these between-state differences are important because they can lead to differences
in the young adult outcomes. The researchers found that most of the data collected regarding the
way young people age out of the system varies significantly across states, not only due to
differences in eligibility for extended foster care, but also differences in independent living
services. One important fact I found relevant to children aging out of the system is 60% of the
states that were surveyed allowed young people to remain in care until age 21 under certain
circumstances, such as graduating from high school, in the process of getting their GED,
disability, or being enrolled in college (Dworsky and Haylicek 2008). In addition, amongst half

of the states reported that foster youth who have a legal guardian are not eligible for Chafeefunded services, which is a program that offers services to foster youth.
Dworsky and Havlicek (2008) failed to discuss what happens to foster youth who lacks
reliable housing after aging out of foster care. There was no evidence presented to reveal if states
provide temporary housing for foster youth who age out of the system until they find housing or
shelter. In addition, if the foster care system allows them to remain in care until they find stable
housing even if they are not furthering their education or employed. Because many states did not
report how many of their youth are in foster care and how many aged out in the past two years,
the results the researchers found are misconstrued.
Overall, the literature demonstrates that there needs to be a stronger approach on how the
government handles foster youth. There needs to be a solid foundation in all states on how to
prepare foster youth for aging out of the system and assisting them with finding reliable housing
before they age out. As shown in the literature, foster youth need to meet certain requirements in
order to receive services from the government which can be a disadvantage. There are many gaps
on how the government helps foster youth transition into independent living; this is where my
research attempts to fill the gaps.
Findings
The Present Study
The research questions proposed for this study asks, What resources are available to
young adults while in foster care, and how effective are these resources to help foster youth
transition into independent living? There were two hypothesis stated for the present study. The
first hypothesis stated that foster youth are not aware of the resources available to them, and if

they are, these resources require one to meet certain requirements, reducing their chances of ever
receiving the help they need. The second hypothesis stated that intervention and living programs
catered to foster youth are not effective as they should be, resulting in the obstacles former foster
youth encounter after aging out. In order to effectively and accurately test the hypothesis, I used
the interviewing technique, which gave me the opportunity to gain insight into the foster care
system from a former foster child and a professional.
Methodology
I interviewed an African American male, age 21, who aged out of the foster care system
in Washington, D.C. and the director of Stepping Stone Transitional Living Program in State
College, PA who has worked closely with foster youth. It was very important that I interviewed a
former foster child to see how life has been for them since foster care.
My interview with Person A was conducted online and consisted of questions that
focused on his experience in foster care, resources available to him while in foster care, and the
relationship quality with his case worker. His experience in foster care has revealed that every
foster child experience is different. At the age 17, he was placed into foster care due to a physical
altercation with his parents which was seen as abuse from the police. Because Person A did not
have any family members to stay with after the altercation he was placed into foster care.
Person A stated that he was placed into four group homes while in foster care. In previous
research, foster youth experience a lot of instability in foster care, moving from one place to the
next. When I asked Person A why he was placed into four different group homes, he responded
by saying, The first one was temporary 30 days, then after that I went to a regular group home
with a family setting. Once I showed my independence and maturity I got moved to another
home with more independence. That group home closed down so I went to another one. Based

on the interviewees response, foster children who are independent and mature seem to have an
advantage than those who dont.
Overall Person A stated that he had a positive experience in foster care. However,
foster care did not prepare him to transition into independent living. In the interview Person A
stated that his case worker talked about individual living programs, but did not follow through
with them. When I asked Person A to elaborate on why the case worker did not follow through
with giving him more information about the independent living programs he replied, When I
reached each standard I always received an excuse or the standards so called change for me to be
accepted, but I believe my case worker didnt push for me to be in independent living. Person
A also explained to me that everything was his responsibility and foster care only prepared him
for aging out, not transitioning into independent living. Since foster care, Person A has stated
that shelter and financial stability has been a challenging hardship.
On the other hand, my second interview was with the director of Stepping Stone.
Stepping Stone provides homeless and foster youth with temporary living for six to eight months
in a family style home. The director stated, Our goal is for when children leave here they have a
plan whether it is moving back with their parents (which often does not work out), finishing high
school, attending college, or finding employment. Stepping Stone assigns each child a mentor
and each week they attend mandatory individual meetings that focus on how to accomplish their
goals after leaving Stepping Stone. In addition, Stepping Stone prepares the youth for the future
by providing mandatory life skills workshops that focuses on job interviewing skills, budgeting,
cooking and cleaning.
The director provided me with beneficial information for my study and exposed me to a
different side of foster care that I never knew about. During the interview, the director informed

me that it is the foster childs decision if he or she wants to leave care when he or she turns 18. In
State College, PA if the foster child decides to stay in care until he or she is 21, he or she must be
working at least 80 hours a month or continuing his or her education, whether it is high school or
college. Because Stepping Stone is a transitional living program, foster youth who age out can
live at Stepping Stone until their 21. However, the director told me majority of the foster youth
who come to Stepping Stone is older than 18 and do not stay there for longer than nine months. I
asked the director, Why do foster youth leave Stepping Stone before their 21? she responded,
Foster youth see the constraints while in the system and want a way
out of the system as soon as they turn 18. Foster youth have been
controlled for so long and seek the urge to be independent. Foster
children do not have freedom like normal children. They want to
experience things they were not allowed to such as going on road trips
and attending sleepovers.
In State College, foster care restricts foster youth from going anywhere unless there is an
approved background check with the person they are going to be with. One of the important
questions I asked during the interview was, At the age of 18 many young adults are no longer
eligible to receive support from the government. How do you feel about youth aging out of the
system that are not prepared for independent living and adulthood? The director replied, Aging
out is not a great thing, I dont know if there is a solution for it. I dont think we can force
children to remain in care if they want to leave. It is sad to see foster youth leave care if they
dont have plans or goals of what to do next after aging out.
Analysis of Findings/ Conclusion
Based on my findings, some of my research questions were answered. The questions that
were not answered need further research. First, the director of Stepping Stone informed me that

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only 15% of foster youth are adopted. The remainder of the foster youth population has to age
out of the system. There is no way around it unless they reunite with their parents. This explains
why the numbers of young adults aging out are constantly rising. Second, my findings have also
shown that every state varies in the way their foster care is structured. Some states prepare their
foster youth better than others, which can affect the foster childs outcome after aging out.
Person A was in a group home in Washington, DC and stated that there were no resources
presented to him to make the transition into independent living and adulthood smooth. However,
in State College, PA, Stepping Stone which is one form of independent living prepares foster
youth for transitioning into independent living and assist them with creating and accomplishing
goals.
My findings supported my hypothesis. In both of my interviews the interviewees did not
inform me about intervention programs or resources that prepare foster youth for the transition
into independent living. Person A was not aware of resources that can help him while in foster
care. Although Stepping Stone provide life building skills, I do not know how effective the life
building skills are and if it has a positive impact on ones future. In addition, Stepping Stone has
a time restriction, so foster youth do not get as much help as they need. The director of Stepping
Stone informed me that many foster youth come into Stepping Stone with a lot of problems, so
they leave there with the same problems they came with.
My findings point to a deeper conclusion that there is a greater need for preparing foster
youth for transitioning into independent living. It is more than the governments responsibility to
prepare foster youth for their transition into independent living and adulthood, but also the
responsibility of the foster child, who is considered an adult at the age of 18, the case worker,

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and foster parent. It is extremely important that the case worker and foster parent present the
foster child with resources to assist them find housing before they age out of foster care.
Discussion
The present study aimed to investigate how the structure of foster care prepares foster
youth for transitioning into independent living, and if resources presented to foster youth while
in foster care are effective as they should be. The findings showed that states have a different
approach on how they prepare foster youth for transitioning into independent living, which in
many cases leads to different results. For example, depending on where the foster child resides,
he or she may have a greater advantage than others such as having access to resources that help
him or her find independent living before aging out. No previous study had aimed to discover
whether or not the resources presented to foster youth help them find stable housing. My findings
did not fill in the gaps that were missing from previous research. I was hoping to find research
that focused on a variety of programs offered to foster youth that helps them find housing before
aging out, yet my research did not reveal this.
There are a number of important implications that can be derived from the findings of this study .

One major consistent finding that proved to be consistent with the literature was discussed by
Connell-Carrick et al. (2008) and Petr (2008). Both of these articles concluded that foster
children need to have an input of what happens to them after aging out, open communication
between their case workers and foster parents, efficiency from case workers for a smooth
transition into independent living. Based on my findings, Person A case worker failed to provide
him with assistance to help him find independent living. Person A informed me that the case
worker talked about an independent living program, but did not follow up with more details
about how he can obtain it. I believe if the case worker was doing her job efficiently and
promptly Person A would have not missed a great opportunity.

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My findings demonstrated that everyone involved in the foster childs life, such as the
case worker and foster parent, needs to be proactive, assertive, and committed to helping and
providing the best for the foster child such as helping foster youth find independent living or
teaching them how to search for housing by using different search databases. Because every state
foster care system has its own structure and is constructed differently, the government needs to
set strict rules and guidelines for the foster home to meet, for the best interest of the foster child.
Analysis and Conclusion
Limitations and Weaknesses
One limitation to my research was that I did not have access to a local foster care in State
College. Stepping Stone was the only convenient place that provided services to foster youth and
because of that my sample was not large enough to conduct a survey. In addition, some of my
interview questions could not have been answered by the Stepping Stone director since she did
not work in a foster home. My second limitation was that I did not find out how effective are the
resources offered to foster youth, and if it help them find stable housing. During my interview
with the Stepping Stone director, I could have asked more follow up questions about resources
offered to foster youth and how it help them find housing.
Analysis and Conclusion
Before conducting this study, I thought it was mainly the governments responsibility to
make sure that foster youth have stable housing after aging out of foster care, but that is not the
case. It is the case worker, foster parent, and the government responsibility to provide the foster
child with effective resources to help them find stable housing before aging out of the system.
The major conclusion drawn from the findings is that the original hypothesis which states
that foster youth are not aware of the resources available to them and intervention and living
programs catered to foster youth are not as effective as they should be, is to be supported. Foster

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youth are not aware of the resources available to them because case workers and foster parents
are not working together as a unit to provide them with the assistance they need to help transition
into independent living and find stable housing. The resources are not effective as they should
be, if there is constantly a rise in homelessness once foster youth age out of the system.
Further Direction or Future Research
Thisfindingleavesanopportunityfortheconductionofafuturestudy.Ifastudywas
donetofindwhichresourceshelpfosteryouthhaveasmoothtransitionintoindependentliving,
thegovernmentwouldknowwhichresourcestooffernationwide.Futureresearchneedstofocus
onresourcesthatpreparefosteryouthforagingoutoffostercareandtransitioninginto
independentliving.Inaddition,howeffectivearetheseresourcesandindependentliving
programs,andwhatkindofimpactithasononeslife.
Word count: 3,496

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References
Connell-Carrick, K., Painter, K. & Scannapieco, M. (2007). In their own words: Challenges
facing youth aging out of foster care. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 24, 423-435.
Retrieved from: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10560-007-0093-x?LI=true#
Dworsky, A. Havlicek, J. (2008).Review of state policies and programs to support young people
transitioning out of foster care. 1-21
Retrieved from: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/08-12-3903.pdf
Petr, C. (2008). Foster care independent living services:Youth persrpectives. Families in Society:
The Journal of Contemporary Sciences, 189, 100-108.
Retrieved from: Review of state policies and programs to support young people
transitioning out of foster care