Child Welfare League of America Making Children a National Priority

 

Child Welfare League of America Making Children a National Priority
About Us
CWLA
Special Initiatives
CWLA
Advocacy
CWLA
Membership
CWLA
News and Media Center
CWLA
Programs
CWLA
Research and Data
CWLA
Publications
CWLA
Conferences and Training
CWLA
Culture and Diversity
CWLA
Consultation
CWLA
Support CWLA
CWLA Members Only Content
       
 

Home > Practice Areas > Family Foster Care > Quick Facts About Foster Care

 
 

Youth After Foster Care

Housing and Homelessness

  • In a national survey, 25% of foster youth reported they had been homeless at least one night 2.5-4.0 years after exiting foster care. 1

  • In Wisconsin, 34% of foster youth had been homeless or lived in four or more places 12-18 months after exiting the foster care system. 2

  • Of youth who become homeless each year, 25%-40% identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. 3

  • Three in 10 of the nation's homeless adults report foster care history. 4

  • In Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada, 36% of former foster youth reported times when they did not have a place to live. 5

Education

  • In a national survey, 54% of former foster youth had completed high school. 6

  • At 12-18 months after leaving foster care, 55% of former foster youth in Wisconsin had completed high school. 7

  • In Clark County, Nevada, 50% of youth left foster care without a high school degree. 8

  • Seventy percent of former foster youth expressed the desire to attend college. 9

Employment

  • Thirty-eight percent of former foster youth maintained employment for one year. 10

  • In Wisconsin, 50% of former foster youth were employed 12-18 months after leaving foster care. 11

  • When interviewed, 63% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada, were employed, with an average hourly wage of $7.25. 12

Incarceration

  • In Wisconsin, 18% of former foster youth experienced incarceration after leaving foster care. 13

  • In Clark County, Nevada, 41% of former foster youth reported spending at least one night in jail. 14

Early Parenthood

  • Sixty percent of young women had children 2.5-4.0 years after leaving foster care. 15

  • In Clark County, Nevada, 38% of former foster youth have children. 16

Health

  • In Wisconsin, 47% of former foster youth received mental health services while in foster care. 17

  • Forty-four percent of former foster youth in Wisconsin reported difficulty accessing health and mental health services. 18

  • In Clark County, Nevada, 55% of former foster youth reported no type of health insurance after leaving foster care. 19
Notes
  1. Cook, R. (1991). A national evaluation of title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth. Rockville, MD: Westat Inc. back
  2. Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). Foster youth transitions to adulthood: Outcomes 12 to 18 months after leaving out-of-home care. Madison: University of Wisconsin.  back
  3. Kruks, G. (1991). Gay and lesbian homeless/street youth: special issues and concerns. Journal of Adolescent Health. 12, 515-518. back
  4. Roman, N.P. & Wolfe, N. (1995). Web of failure: The relationship between foster care and homelessness. Washington, DC: National Alliance to End Homelessness. back
  5. Reilly, T. (2003). Transitions from care: status and outcomes of youth who age out of foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 727-746. back
  6. Cook, 1991. back
  7. Courtney & Piliavin, 1998. back
  8. Reilly, 2003. back
  9. McMillen, C.; Auslander, W.; Elze, D.; White, T.; & Thompson, R. (2003). Educational experiences and aspirations of older youth in foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 475-495. back
  10. Cook, 1991. back
  11. Courtney & Piliavin, 1998. back
  12. Reilly, 2003. back
  13. Courtney & Piliavin, 1998. back
  14. Reilly, 2003. back
  15. Cook, 1991. back
  16. Reilly, 2003. back
  17. Courtney & Piliavin, 1998. back
  18. Ibid. back
  19. Reilly, 2003. back



 Back to Top   Printer-friendly Page Printer-friendly Page   Contact Us Contact Us

 
 

 

 


About Us | Special Initiatives | Advocacy | Membership | News & Media Center | Practice Areas | Support CWLA
Research/Data | Publications | Webstore | Conferences/Training | Culture/Diversity | Consultation/Training

All Content and Images Copyright Child Welfare League of America. All Rights Reserved.
See also Legal Information, Privacy Policy, Browser Compatibility Statement

CWLA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and access for all individuals.
No employee, applicant for employment, or member of the public shall be discriminated against
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or
any other personal characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.