1. Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19 Chapin Hall Center for Children University of Chicago

2. Why Study Youth Aging Out of Care? Their well-being, or the lack thereof, is a good indicator of how effectively the needs of foster youth in general are being met They are a good population to study to better understand the transition to adulthood for “vulnerable” populations U.S. social policy regarding the transition to adulthood focuses specifically on this group

3. Purpose of Study Gather information about services provided to foster youth in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Measure the young adult self-sufficiency of former foster youth Provide guidance to 3 states regarding their compliance with and implementation of the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999

4. Study Design and Sample Longitudinal study: survey data collected at three points in time Foster youth in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa who: Were still in out-of-home care at age 17 Had entered care before their 16th birthday Had been placed in care due to abuse and/or neglect

5. Study Design and Sample (continued) WaveYearNumber InterviewedAge at interview 1’02 – ’0373217 – 18 2‘04 603 47% still in care 53% already discharged 19 3‘06?21

6. Demographic Characteristics Wave 1 (N = 732) Wave 2 (N = 603) GenderMale Female 48.5 51.5 45.9 54.1 RaceBlack White Multi-racial Other 57.0 30.9 9.7 2.5 56.7 30.8 10.3 2.1 EthnicityHispanic origin 8.68.3 StateIllinois Wisconsin Iowa 64.8 26.6 8.6 64.0 27.0 8.0

7. Living Arrangements at Wave 2 Still in CareNo Longer in Care Own place----28.7 Supervised independent living49.6--- With biological parents----16.8 With other relatives19.117.8 With unrelated foster parents20.210.1 Group quarters6.79.0 Homeless----0.6* Other4.317.1 But 13.8 percent of youth no longer in care had been homeless at least once since they were discharged

8. Educational Risk Factors at Wave 1 Placed in special education47.3 Repeated a grade37.3 Due to changes in foster care −Missed at least one month of school24.5 −Changed schools at least 3 times 53.9 Median reading score on WRAT 7 th grade

9. Yet, despite their educational risk factors: Many youth set high educational goals −Wanted to graduate from high school 95.8 −Wanted to graduate from college71.4 Many youth had high educational expectations −Expected to graduate from high school88.1 −Expected to graduate from college60.2

10. Educational Attainment at Wave 2 TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care No high school diploma/GED38.2 36.1 Enrolled in school47.766.730.8 High school/GED program15.220.910.1 Vocational training8.88.59.1 2 or 4 year college23.737.211.7

11. Employment and Earnings at Wave 2 TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Worked during past year67.061.072.3 Currently employed40.533.047.0 Median hours worked per week 353035 Median hourly wage$7.00

12. Pregnancy and Parenthood at Wave 2 TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Ever pregnant (females)48.246.649.7 Any living children Males13.815.112.7 Females31.631.331.9

13. Criminal Justice System Involvement Wave 1 (N = 732)Wave 2 (N = 603) Ever arrested Male61.868.6 Female41.246.3 Ever convicted Male27.837.9 Female15.219.3 Ever incarcerated Male43.552.0 Female24.528.8

14. Criminal Justice System Involvement Since Wave 1 Interview TotalStill in CareNo Longer in Care Arrested Males38.925.249.6 Females20.721.020.4 Convicted Males19.39.127.3 Females7.46.97.9 Incarcerated Males31.220.939.4 Females11.111.011.2

15. Criminal Victimization Since Wave 1 Interview TotalStill in CareNo Longer in Care Threatened by knife or gun 20.720.221.2 Shot or stabbed5.03.95.9 Beaten up8.69.97.5 Any of the above24.223.824.6

16. Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 Requires states to use some portion of their Chafee funds to provide assistance (including room and board) and services to former foster youth who have aged out of care until age 21 Allows states to extend Medicaid coverage to former foster youth until age 21—but few states have exercised this option

17. Receipt of Independent Living Services at Wave 2 by Care Status Youth Development Health Education Housing Financial Management Employment/Training Education Independent Living Subsidy

18. Physical and Mental Health Care Service Utilization at Wave 2 by Care Status Still in Care No Longer in Care No health insurance1.852.9 Did not receive needed medical care4.621.4 Received psychological or emotional counseling 28.513.7 Participated in substance abuse treatment 7.47.5 Prescribed psychotropic medication15.615.3 Received family planning services15.27.5

19. Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance Disorders by Care Status at Wave 2 Still in CareNo Longer in Care Mental Health Diagnosis16.820.1 Substance Diagnosis12.928.2 Mental Health or Substance Diagnosis 26.439.3 However, the youth who were no longer in care were MORE likely to meet the criteria for a mental health or substance disorder diagnosis

20. Conclusions and Implications Every year, nearly 20,000 youth who do not achieve permanency age out of foster care (DHHS, 1999) These youth face considerable challenges including educational deficits and significant psychosocial problems

21. Conclusions and Implications The needs of these youth must be addressed by state child welfare agencies if the youth are to make a successful transition to early adulthood What is less clear is how states can best prepare these youth for the challenges they will face- i.e., what independent living services or subsidies should be provided and to whom?

22. Conclusions and Implications However, our research suggests that youth may benefit if states allow them to remain in care until age 21 States could increase access to health and mental health care services by extending Medicaid coverage to former foster youth until age 21

23. Results from Wave 2 Midwest Study of Foster Youth Transitions to Adulthood: Outcomes at Age Nineteen Available at www.chapinhall.orgwww.chapinhall.org