How Has Foster Care Prepared Youth for Adulthood?: An Exploration of Long-Term Effects of Foster Care Services on Readiness for Independence Among Aged-out Foster Youth

Background: Foster care youth exit the care system between the ages of 18 to 21 years depending on their state’s policy. As compared to non-foster care youth, this population is vulnerable to homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of college education. More research is needed to assess the long-term effects of services in preparing this population for a successful transition to adulthood in current contexts. The present study aims to explore factors of readiness for independence among aged-out foster youth in Texas.

Methods:  This secondary analysis study used the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD). NYTD was created for assessing the effectiveness of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), whose purpose is to ease the transition from foster care to independence. Data were comprised of two sets (services and outcomes) of longitudinal data (measured at ages of 17, 19, and 21) among a national sample of former foster youth. This study examined a working sample of former foster care youth from Texas who had completed the 3-wave surveys (N=245). Binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of Readiness at age of 21. This binary outcome was measured based on the criteria of being employed full-time or enrolled in any education or training program (except in the case of homelessness). Predictors included the level of services provided (Academic Services, Career Services, Financial Trainings, and Other Support), social and behavioral variables (Connection with Adult, experience of Substance Abuse Referral, and experience of Incarceration) along with controls (Male and White). Each predictor was measured by totaling all scores in each area during the ages of 17 to 21.

Results:  The sample was composed of male (50.2%); Hispanic, any race (33.5%), White (31.0%), African American (30.6%), and other (4.9%); and in college (8.2%). The number of youth eligible for services decreased over time, and none of them received any services at age of 21. Social and behavioral changes over time were observed in Connection with Adult (96.3% to 89.0%), Substance Abuse (19.0% to 8.2%) and Incarceration (39.8% to 25.4%). The statistics regarding the outcome included Readiness (32.2%), Housing Stability (72.0%), Full-time Employment (25.3%), and Enrollment (20.1%). Significant factors of Readiness included Incarceration (OR=.584**) and Male (OR=1.830*). For each sub-category of Readiness, only one factor (Connection with Adults) was significant for Housing Stability (OR=1.775*). Continued Incarceration, a major risk factor, was predicted by Substance Abuse (OR=2.280***) and Male (OR=2.725*)

Discussion and Implications: This study found aged-out youth are not ready for independence at age of 21. In-care services should focus on behavior outcomes such as substance abuse and incarceration. Prolonged social support is needed even after they leave the system. Females are less likely to be ready for independence while males are at risk for behavioral problems. This finding underscores the importance of individualized services based on gender. A holistic system (foster care, education, and policy) should be developed to support this vulnerable population along with a paradigm change to understand the life span development for the current cohort.