Sunday, April 27, 2014

Foster Kids Get Help Transitioning to Adulthood

 

Foster kids that age out of foster care face many challenges. They often don't have family members who can act as a guide, offer support or act as a financial safety net.


Once foster youths are out of the foster care system, 90% will become homeless, be incarcerated within two years or turn to crime as a way to survive.

Connections 2 Independence in Minnesota is one organization working to make this transition easier. Foster care statistics reveal that children who age out of the foster care system will receive some kind of social services totaling $300,000 over the lifetime of each child. This cost to taxpayers will come in many forms such as drug treatment programs because many former foster kids become depressed and turn to hard drugs. Others will have suffered physical or sexual abuse requiring therapy. The tens of thousands of foster children presently in prison cost taxpayers millions, if not billions, of dollars.





As always another way to help these children is for agencies to put more focus on finding family members of foster children before they age out and end up on the street. Aged out foster children often suffer needlessly while taxpayers pay for the social services these kids need.


The smart move is prevention, and helping foster teens make a successful transition to adulthood is an important and helpful step in the right direction.

Regards,

Richard Villasana
  Richard

Richard Villasana
Find Families In Mexico
760-690-3995

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