Older youth in foster care need support and a sense of belonging that a family setting can provide. Securing lifelong connections is a critical component in determining their future achievement, health, and well-being.
Fostering Teens
Older Youth in Care
The Need for Homes for Older Youth
- More than 23,000 children will age out of the U.S. foster care system every year.
- In the state of Wisconsin, youth age out of foster care at 18 years old.
- By age 26, only 3-4% of youth who aged out of foster care will earn a college degree.
- 20% of these youth will become homeless after turning 18.
- 50% of youth who have aged out of foster care will obtain employment by age 24.
- More than 70% of female foster youth will become pregnant by age 21.
- 25% of former foster youth will experience PTSD.
- 50% of kids who aged out of foster care will develop a substance dependence.
- About 25% of kids who aged out of foster care will not graduate from high school or be able to pass their GED.
- Despite this, 70% of foster kids consistency say they would like to attend college one day.
Most older youth who are placed in foster care will live in a group home. Very often, a foster family or relative could not be identified to care for them.
The General and Treatment Foster Care Programs are looking for foster parents who are willing to provide a family setting to older youth. Youth benefit from foster families that can provide a connection and support through a family relationship. You can offer a caring and stable home, invaluable lifelong skills and be that supportive adult in their lives.
Interested in taking the next step or learning more? Contact us!
Myth: Teens are too old to need a family. They will be out on their own soon enough.
Fact:
- Most teens have not learned the skills to live successfully on their own. Teens need the support and benefit of being part of a family develop independence and life skills for adulthood.
- 25% of teens in foster care live in group care. In these settings, teens have an increased risk of becoming a runaway, sex trafficked or a young parent. Group care can also lead to having low or failing grades and other adverse adult outcomes.
- Teens in foster care need support and a sense of family. Strong relationships are important for future success, health and well-being.
- When a person turns 18 years old, they continue to benefit from positive connections with caring adults in their lives. No one outgrows a family.
Myth: Foster Families only want younger children.
Fact:
- There are many families who welcome teens into their homes. Some families are not looking for the responsibility of diapers, potty training or daycare.
- There is an opportunity for you to share many firsts with teens. Preparing a young person for independence and adult responsibilities can be rewarding. Your skills and life experience are worth sharing with a teen.
Myth: Teens in foster care don’t want a family.
Fact:
- Teens are like other children in foster care. Many want a family connection and a sense of belonging. Stability and security are at the core of what they need.
Myth: Teens in foster care are too hard to parent and have a lot of significant troubles.
Fact:
- Most teens in foster care have experienced trauma. You will learn as a foster parent that trauma impacts a person’s overall well-being, their thoughts and behaviors.
- Consistency, stability and showing up for the teen can be part of the solution to a teen’s troubles.
- You will not be alone in the fostering journey. There is a team of professionals working with you and the teen.