Extending foster care services to young people beyond age 18 helps young people and their communities and is associated with positive outcomes — including high school completion, employment and reduced homelessness and young parenthood. Learn about what it takes to extend foster care the right way, and how states are making improvements to ensure a better path for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
Supporting Older Youth Beyond Age 18: Examining Data and Trends in Extended Foster Care
This report from Child Trends delivers key findings on the benefits of extending foster care beyond age 18, as well as recommendations to ensure that the foster care system is responsive to the unique needs of young people transitioning to adulthood.
Success Beyond 18 Initiative
The campaign, launched in May 2013, aims to change the status quo, and give young people in foster care better opportunities to success in family, work and life. Resources include:
Cost Avoidance: The Business Case for Investing in Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
This issue brief provides an update on how cost savings can be achieved through investments in extended foster care for young people aging out of the system.
Foster Care to 12: Doing It Right
This issue brief provides a policy blueprint for extended foster care done right through authentic youth engagement and support from courts and other partners.