transition to adulthood

This policy brief examines how youth in foster care, the juvenile justice system, and special education fare over time given the special challenges they face, paying particular attention to the effectiveness of programs designed to support these youth during their transition.

This paper argues that a greater number of youth are disconnected from family, education and employment support, which is affecting their stability as adults. Research shows the need, authors argue, for a revolution in how we think about older children and young adults and an increase in support programs and initiatives.

Highlights the role of extending support during the critical transition through young adulthood by providing a brief review of adult outcome literature and discussing the results from a follow-up study of foster children for whom reunification was not planned.

Discusses efforts to promote a positive youth development approach in foster care, and the disappointing outcomes and barriers experienced by young people leaving the foster care system between the ages of 18 and 21.