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 Most of us made
the transition to adulthood with help from our parents. Mom and Dad
bought books for school, paid a deposit for our first apartment,
opened doors for jobs, and welcomed us home for the holidays. Most
important, parents provided us with ongoing encouragement and
advice. Years later, we provide the same support for our children.
Young people
aging out of foster care often lack traditional family supports when
they turn 18 and transition to adulthood. After years of being
shuffled from one temporary home to another, they are on their own
at age 18 with limited education, few basic skills and no role
models. Two years after aging out of the system, statistics from the
federal government show:
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25% have been
homeless
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46% of young
people lack a high school diploma
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84% have
become parents themselves
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Over half
were unemployed
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More than 80%
are unable to support themselves
Opportunity Passport Participant Data:
232 enrollees
Age: Ages 18/19: 26%; Ages 20-24: 74%
Post Custody with DCS: 33%
Gender: Female, 57%; Male, 43%
Race:
African American: 47.4%
Caucasian: 46.9%
Latino or Hispanic: 1.7%
Other (bi-racial, Asian,
Iranian, Native American, etc.): 3.8%
Tennessee Youth
Advisory Council Data:
Research and evaluation
includes online and telephone surveys with foster youth who
participate in the Opportunity Passport™ and Tennessee Youth
Advisory Council. Findings from our surveys of former foster youth
revealed significant barriers to success. The majority didn’t have a
driver’s license or access to public transportation, which is a
barrier to getting a job. One in three lacked a high school diploma
or GED and one in four failed to stay in school or keep a job.
Follow-up surveys show
that youth who participate in Fostering Success are making positive
changes in their lives:
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5 times as many youth report working 40 hours a week for 6
months or more
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53% increase in youth who are living independently
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27% increase in youth completing education or training beyond
high school
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23% increase in youth with a high school diploma or GED
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