The New York Times introduces us to
some young adults facing struggles that should worry us all.
As kids get too old to live in foster care, they go from having lots of state support to essentially having none. Many of them land on the streets, homeless, even during a healthy economy. Now they face even more difficult circumstances.
"Even in boom times, young people who become too old for the foster-care system often struggle to make it on their own, lacking families, job skills or adequate educations. Now, the recession has made the challenges of life after foster care even more formidable, especially for those seeking federal housing vouchers, which are contingent on having an income. ...
"In New York, foster children are allowed to leave the system when they turn 18 but can stay until 21; last year, 407 wards turned 21, while 547 opted out early -- 375 at age 18, and 172 at 19 or 20.
"Once discharged from the system, some move in with family or friends, get jobs or go to college. Others apply for welfare as their sole source of income, and often end up homeless."
The story goes on to explain what assistance is available and why these kids are so difficult to employ. This part of the foster care story needs attention in your town. What happens to your local foster kids when they leave the system?
Anyone seeking to localize the foster care story should check...
