The Transition to Adulthood for Foster Youth: Implications for State-Level Policy Mark E. Courtney, M.S.W., Ph.D. Chapin Hall Center for Children and School of Social Service Administration University of Chicago

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

Study Design and Sample Largest longitudinal study of foster youth making the transition to adulthood post-FCIA Foster youth in 3 states who: Were 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

Study Design and Sample (continued) Baseline survey data collected from 732 youth in ’02-’03 Response rate of 95 percent Age 17 or 18 at first interview 603 (82 percent of sample) re-interviewed in ‘04 when nearly all were 19 years old –47 percent were still “in care” (nearly all in Illinois) –53 percent had already been discharged Third wave of data collection just finished (81 percent of original sample); study participants are now 21

Living Arrangements at Age 19 Still in CareNo Longer in Care Own place Supervised independent living With biological parents With other relatives With unrelated foster parents Group quarters Homeless Other

Closeness to Family of Origin

Independent Living Services Total Still in Care No Longer in Care Educational support Employment/vocational support Budget and financial management support Housing services Health education services Youth development services

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders at Age 19 Still in CareNo Longer in Care Mental Health Diagnosis Substance Diagnosis Mental Health or Substance Diagnosis

Health and Mental Health Services Total Still in Care No Longer in Care Has Health Insurance Medical Exam Since Last Interview Did Not Receive Needed Medical Care Received Psychological or Emotional Counseling

Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Educational Attainment TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care No high school diploma/GED Enrolled in school High school/GED program Vocational training or 4 year college

Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Employment and Earnings TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Never held a job7.8 Worked during past year Currently employed Median hours worked Median hourly wage$7.00

Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Partnering and Parenthood TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Pregnant after first interview Married or cohabiting Males Females Any living children Males Females

Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Criminal Justice System Involvement TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Arrested since last interview Males38.0 Females20.1 Incarcerated since last interview Males29.8 Females10.7

Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Selected Problems TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Did not eat for whole day Homeless since leaving care Shot, stabbed, beaten up or threatened with a weapon during past year Males Females15.3

Optimism about the Future Wave 1 (N = 736) Wave 2 (N = 603) Very optimistic Fairly optimistic Not too optimistic Not at all optimistic Do not know0.7

The State as Corporate Parent When in the life course should the state relinquish this responsibility? Which public institutions should be held accountable for this role? What role can (should?) the courts play in facilitating the corporate parenting role of public institutions?

How Statute Influences Practice Courts seem to be in a better position to influence the care and supervision of young adults when there is statutory room for that. Public child welfare agencies are unlikely to take their parenting responsibilities seriously when they are not held accountable. When court supervision ends at 18, being more aggressive in court earlier on might be helpful

Areas Requiring Attention in Policy and Practice Maintaining young people’s access to housing, supervision/support, and services (those over 18; runaways and “reunifications”) Educational needs, aspirations, and placement/services Employment Health and mental health needs and services Attention to family relations, including youth relations with their own children Independent living services (?)

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