A roundup of The Imprint’s most impactful stories in 2020
In 2010, California approved legislation that would extend foster care until age 21 for youth who otherwise would be forced out on their own at 18. The state, home to more than 50,000 foster youth, was among the first to offer a longer runway into adulthood.
It was a significant addition to the safety net for foster youth in California, and the research shows that it has helped to prevent some of the worst outcomes, such as homelessness or run-ins with the law. This series by Imprint Editor Karen de Sá examines some of the cracks that still exist in a year when the state had to move quickly to protect older foster youth amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Also Read: In his final year as a state senator, the author of California’s extended foster care tried to raise the ceiling to age 26.
As New York advocates and legislators pushed to shield foster youth from aging out during the pandemic, one assemblywoman said, “There’s no magic in turning 21, and especially now that we’re struggling through uncharted waters, youth need the stability and support of home.”