Resources

Youth Transitions Resource Center - Youth exiting the foster care system face numerous obstacles in their transition to successful adulthood. Research has documented that many of the approximately 20,000 youth who age out of foster care each year face a host of negative outcomes including homelessness, low educational achievement, and underemployment. In response, policymakers, foundations, and communities are developing innovative strategies for supporting successful transitions to adulthood for youth aging out of foster care. This Information Resource Center provides links to resources on how to develop and sustain supports and services for youth transitioning out of foster care. It is supported by the Foster Care Work Group, a group of national foundations who have come together to develop a shared vision and investments to support more successful transitions for youth aging out of foster care.

Financing Workforce Development Programs for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care - This Connected by 25 brief explores six financing strategies that can support workforce development programs and services for youth currently in or transitioning from foster care. The brief describes strategies for maximizing workforce development and child welfare resources; accessing community development resources; connecting with education resources; building partnerships with employers; and improving coordination across systems.

Financing Entrepreneurship Programs for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care - This Connected by 25 strategy brief aims to help policymakers, child welfare administrators, program developers, and community leaders understand the funding sources and financing strategies that can support entrepreneurship opportunities for youth currently in or transitioning from foster care.

Financing Asset-Building and Financial Education Programs for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care - This Connected by 25 brief describes five financing strategies that policymakers, program developers, and community leaders can pursue to support asset-building and financial education programs for youth in foster care. For each strategy, the brief includes funding sources, examples of how asset-building and financial education programs have used these resources, and considerations for implementation.

Connected by 25: Education Supports for Youth Transitioning out of Foster Care - Youth exiting the foster care system face numerous obstacles in their transition to successful adulthood. Research has documented that many of the approximately 20,000 youth who age out of foster care each year face a host of negative outcomes including homelessness, low educational achievement, and underemployment. In response, policymakers, foundations, and communities are developing innovative strategies for supporting successful transitions to adulthood for youth aging out of foster care. This Information Resource Center provides links to resources on how to develop and sustain supports and services for youth transitioning out of foster care. It is supported by the Foster Care Work Group, a group of national foundations who have come together to develop a shared vision and investments to support more successful transitions for youth aging out of foster care.

Governor Schwarzenegger Supports Extending Federal Foster Care Benefits - According to a new report, continuing support for older youth in foster care can create substantial cost savings for California, while helping build better lives and futures for some of the state's most vulnerable young people. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Human Services Committee Chair Jim Beall, Jr. (D-San Jose) say that is why they authored Assembly Bill 12. AB 12 will allow California to receive federal funds to provide enhanced support for foster youth from age 18 to 21. Summary Report