Do You Know the Problem with Youth Transitioning out of Foster Care?

By Amanda Hernandez, Belinda Williams, Colleen McDuffie, Eleanor Reid, Tunisia Nelson

Adolescence is a difficult time for many youth, yet it becomes even more challenging when there is pressure to emancipate from the foster care system. Further, transitioning out of the foster care system can be difficult without the adequate social support, education, and stability. According to Scannapieco, et al. (2007), teens that age out of the foster care system have difficulties in transitioning into living independently.

Foster youth face a variety of barriers which include academic disparity, employment challenges, homelessness, mental health challenges, and unresolved mental health issues from emotional trauma and abuse. Jones (2012) identified that not only does trauma of abuse occurs in-home, but the removal of a child from the family of origin causes trauma as well. This trauma can result in a stressor that can cause a pattern for the norm of multiple placements due to behavioral issues.

As the youth is replaced into different homes, this causes a change in their entire routine that was established. Most foster youth may have had multiple placements, different caregivers, and different social multiple social workers without necessarily building a strong relationship or bond with any of them.

Vaughn, et al. (2008) mentioned that studies have shown that social support is a key factor in the transition process for child-welfare involved youths. Jones (2012) stated that foster youth are able to adapt successfully when there are support systems in place. Additionally, the high turnover rate with social workers and the constant change in children’s placement can impede children from properly being serviced (Ellett et al., 2007). Without the youth receiving adequate educational, employment, or mental health services, this could hinder their ability to successfully emancipate from the foster care system. Educational liaisons can also strengthen the child welfare system by allowing better communication and collaboration with the education system and caregivers.

Amanda Hernandez, Belinda Williams, Colleen McDuffie, Eleanor Reid, Tunisia Nelson authored this article. Eleanor Able-Reid can be reached at ereid247@gmail.com.

References

Ellett, A., Ellis, J., Westbrook, T., & Dews, D. (2007). A qualitative study of 369 child welfare professionals’ perspectives about factors contributing to employee retention and turnover. Children and Youth Services Review, 29(2), 264-281.

Jones, L. (2012). Measuring Resiliency and Its Predictors in Recently Discharged Foster Youth. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 29(6), 515-533. doi:10.1007/s10560-012-0275-z.

Scannapieco, M., Connell-Carrick, K., & Painter, K. (2007). In Their Own Words: Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Foster Care. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 24(5), 423-435. doi:10.1007/s10560-007-0093-x.

Vaughn, M. G., Shook, J. J., & McMillen, J. C. (2008). Aging out of foster care and legal involvement: Toward a typology of risk. Chicago Journals, 82(3), 1-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/592535.