Aging Out: Navigating the Transition from Foster Care to Adulthood

Abstract

When children turn 18 in the foster care system, they are emancipated from the system. This process of aging out pushes these young adults to encounter challenges like every other young adult, but without a support system. Because of this, many find themselves homeless, jobless, uneducated, incarcerated, and/or teenage parents (Statistics). These hardships are being tackled individually with help from the government and nonprofits. Through a thorough evaluation of programs for aged out foster children, it is evident that not enough is being done to solve these injustices. The creation of Our House, a nonprofit based in Maricopa County, is focused on creating a living and learning community that provides transitional housing for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system, as well as, educational programs that work to improve the transition into adulthood, and facilitates a successful transition to be productive members of the community. This paper provides empirical evidence to the lack of support given to post-foster care young adults, and how these young adults could benefit from a new comprehensive program.