1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Living Arrangements at Age 19 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

6. Closeness to Family of Origin

7. Independent Living Services Total Still in Care No Longer in Care Educational support51.760.643.9 Employment/vocational support43.049.337.4 Budget and financial management support36.746.128.3 Housing services35.545.027.1 Health education services38.345.731.8 Youth development services21.429.114.6

8. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders at Age 19 Still in CareNo Longer in Care Mental Health Diagnosis16.820.1 Substance Diagnosis12.928.2 Mental Health or Substance Diagnosis 26.439.3

9. Health and Mental Health Services Total Still in Care No Longer in Care Has Health Insurance71.398.247.1 Medical Exam Since Last Interview47.453.242.4 Did Not Receive Needed Medical Care13.54.621.4 Received Psychological or Emotional Counseling20.628.513.7

10. Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Educational Attainment 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. Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Employment and Earnings TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Never held a job7.8 Worked during past year67.061.072.3 Currently employed40.533.047.0 Median hours worked353035 Median hourly wage$7.00

12. Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Partnering and Parenthood TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Pregnant after first interview Married or cohabiting 37.4 10.0 31.1 5.0 44.2 14.3 Males6.55.07.6 Females12.94.920.9 Any living children23.424.522.5 Males13.815.112.7 Females31.631.331.9

13. Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Criminal Justice System Involvement TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Arrested since last interview28.121.933.8 Males38.0 Females20.1 Incarcerated since last interview19.214.423.7 Males29.8 Females10.7

14. Markers of Transition to Adulthood: Selected Problems TotalStill in Care No Longer in Care Did not eat for whole day8.32.913.1 Homeless since leaving care--- 13.8 Shot, stabbed, beaten up or threatened with a weapon during past year 24.223.824.6 Males34.735.334.2 Females15.3

15. Optimism about the Future Wave 1 (N = 736) Wave 2 (N = 603) Very optimistic 58.456.9 Fairly optimistic33.032.2 Not too optimistic4.17.0 Not at all optimistic3.83.3 Do not know0.7

16. 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?

17. 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

18. 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 (?)

19. For all reports on this study… www.chapinhall.org