In the United States, as in most of the rest of the world, the age of 18 is when an individual legally becomes an adult. We’ve grown accustomed to this milestone being the dividing line between childhood and adulthood, but nothing magical happens when the clock strikes midnight and that 18th birthday arrives. Turning from a child into an adult is a gradual process that comes with many challenges – especially for a young person who has gone through the foster system. With this in mind, the designation of non-minor dependent is an important one, and working with a helpful THP NMD provider in Marysville CA can help put a young person in a much better position for success. 

A Crucial Three Years

As mentioned, individuals in the United States are legally adults when they turn 18. But for many, including foster youth, it would be difficult to make it out in the world on their own at that time. So, in the right situation, a foster youth may wish to remain in the system until the age of 21 by consenting to do so. That way, support can still be received for these critical three years while big choices are made about what will come next in life. Dealing with an experienced THP NMD provider in Marysville CA will make it easy to understand this process and the benefits that come with it. 

The Statistics are Concerning

Most foster youth who don’t work with an THP NMD provider in Marysville CA age out of the system when they are 18 and the outcomes of what happens to those young people in the years that follow are not pretty. Homelessness is common for former foster youth, and spending time in jail is prevalent, as well. This is why getting more years of support while getting ready to become an independent adult is a wise move. 

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

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.