Yet, we expect these young people who have suffered abuse and neglect and who have lived apart from their families in foster or group care to become totally self sufficient when they reach the magic age of 18. Many of these youth have long histories of abuse and neglect and have lived in several foster homes. Young people who have left the foster care system report that disruptions in their education, insufficient preparation for the workplace, lack of access to health care, and the immediate struggle for day to day survival after leaving care make planning and even hoping for a good future very, very difficult. Less then one-half of young people leaving foster care at age 18 have completed high school and few have the opportunity to attend college. Too many cannot find a place to live and end up homeless.
Many young women leaving foster care are at greater risk of unintended pregnancy.
That bill, the Foster Care Independence Act, doubles the funding currently available for the federal Independent Living Program designed to support these youths. Under this bill, youths in foster care and those who leave foster care can get real life skills training such as job preparation, money management, and GED and college preparation training until they turn 21. This bill would also allow, for the first time, a portion of the funds to be used to provide room and board to those 18 to 21 year olds who have left foster care and need a place to live. The House-passed bill also gives states the option of extending health care coverage to youths that have left foster care. The Senate bill is very similar to the House-passed bill, yet it takes a bold step further by requiring states to provide health care coverage to all youths leaving foster care until they turn 21, if states want the additional funds.