Posted November 7, 2024
Currently there are over 400,000 children and youth
in our Nation’s foster care system and every year,
more than 23,000 individuals “age out” of the foster
care system
The passage to adulthood is challenging for anyone,
but for youth in foster care it can be especially
lonesome, confusing, and uncertain.
“Aging out of foster care” refers to when a young person in the foster care system reaches the legal age limit and is no longer eligible for foster care services, often leaving them without a stable home, support network, or necessary life skills, leading to a high risk of homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, and involvement with the criminal justice system due to lack of adequate preparation for independent living.