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Youth Aging Out of Care: Education & Housing Considerations

Youth Aging Out of Care: Education & Housing Considerations. Roxana Torrico, MSW Child 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 Becoming Homeless.

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Youth Aging Out of Care: Education & Housing Considerations

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  1. Youth Aging Out of Care: Education & Housing Considerations Roxana Torrico, MSW Child 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)

  2. Former Foster Youth are Becoming Homeless • As many as three in ten homeless adults were formerly children in foster care; • Between 12 – 36% of former foster care youth are experiencing homelessness; and • Homeless parents who spent time in foster care as children are 2xs as likely to have their own children placed in foster care.

  3. What are young people aging out of foster care facing?? • Limited life skills upon discharge from child welfare system • Child welfare agencies with limited housing expertise and resources necessary to assist youth • Limited support networks • Harsh economic realities • Expensive housing costs!!!!

  4. Most Expensive Places for Youth to Live on their Own Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apartment: District of Columbia $20.77 Hawaii $18.57 California $18.11 Massachusetts $18.32 Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum wage to afford a one bedroom: District of Columbia 126 Hawaii 119 California 107 Massachusetts 109 Out of Reach 2005, NLIHC

  5. Experiences of CWLA’s National Foster Youth Advisory Council “College was my housing plan.” “My state discharges youth at 19 or when you complete highschool – I purposely delayed graduation to avoid homelessness.” “I returned to my biological family because I had no where else to go.” (Group discussion to develop NFYAC Housing Position Statement)

  6. Recommendations • Know the different types of placements for foster youth (i.e. group homes, scattered site apts, etc.) • Become familiar with your state’s discharge policy for youth preparing to age out of care • Connect with youth’s child welfare worker and inquire about his or her discharge plan • Recognize the impact of “aging out” on youth

  7. Benefits of Partnerships & Collaborations Cross System Dialogue  Help Fill In the Gaps  Improved Services for Young People  Decreased Homelessness for Emancipated Youth

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