Aging Out of Foster Care | The foster care system is designed to care for children who do not have a stable, steady, or safe family life. While the system is largely successful in serving this mission, it is limited in what it can do for those individuals once they turn 18. Aging out of foster care doesn’t always end successfully for former foster kids, which is why it’s important to understand the risks and address them accordingly. 

Starting to Plan Early

Adult life sneaks up quickly as a child works through high school. While some will go off to college, many others will not. Whatever the foster child has in mind for the future, a plan needs to be put in place for making that happen. Aging out of foster care without any direction for the future can lead to negative outcomes such as homelessness, criminal activity, and more. Ideally, the child’s resource parents will work together with the child to chart a path toward a successful future. 

Transitional Housing Program Plus

While foster care ends at the age of 18, a foster youth may be eligible for Transitional Housing Program Plus. This is an important program which offers young people an opportunity to get their feet under them after aging out of foster care. By reducing the rate of homelessness, THP Plus aims to help these individuals move from life as a foster child to life out on their own as an independent adult. 

If you are interested in learning more about the transitional housing program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency or apply to become a resource parent. 

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.