The experience of most young adults labeled “aging out foster youth” has received some attention in the last few years but certainly not enough. Once youth in foster care reach 18 they are, in most cases, considered ‘on their own.’ After a childhood experiencing abuse and neglect and constant transition from one foster home to another they are placed on their own with virtually no resources, family or caring adults to assist them in their journey to independence.
As can be assumed the outcome in the first year out of foster care is not good:
- 32% of youth spend time in jail/prison
- 17% of youth experience literal homelessness (living on the streets)
- 33% of youth experience housing instability (staying the night at other’s homes to get by)
- 48% become pregnant or impregnate someone
- 10% of those with children have their children placed in the foster care system
While numerous resources for these youth exist, services are spread out throughout the Metro Detroit Area. Because of the desperate situation many youth live in after leaving foster care, the focus of daily living often surrounds basic needs, what will I eat and where will I sleep tonight.
The failure to provide better solutions is not only devastating for the youth, as a society we are losing the productivity of so many young people within our community. While there is a cost to any program we offer this population it cannot compare to the financial cost when we fail to offer the help that is truly needed.
It is estimated in 3 years post-foster care:
- 1.5 Million will be spent in public assistance to assist aging-out foster youth
- 1.6 Million for incarceration
- 3.7 Million in lost wages
- $600,000 in foster care for their children
These numbers are based on a random sample of 250 youth in Southeast Michigan. Approximately 400 age-out of the Michigan Foster Care System each year.
