Street Kids: The uncertain future of teens who 'age out' of foster care -- without a home, a job or anyone who cares from the outside in

• Published in: The Salt Lake tribune
• Main Author: Tuttle, Rich
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Salt Lake City, Utah The Salt Lake Tribune 08.08.1999
• ISSN: 0746-3502

Destiny was in foster care for five years. Robert [Frank] was in foster care for more than three years. The story of what happened to Robert and Destiny is not unique to Utah. Most states require foster-care children to leave the system when they turn18. Utah officials allow a small number to stay in foster care until they turn 19, if they are still in school. But when they leave foster care, state and federal services that supported them while they were in custody end. And researchers are learning that with no family, no resources and few opportunities, large numbers of former foster care children are appearing on welfare roles, at homeless shelters and in jails. New funding, proposed at both the state and federal level, could offer some relief to former foster care children. The Clinton administration has proposed $280 million in federal funding to assist former foster care children in the transition between foster care and self sufficiency. The money would help pay for health insurance, housing, and job training until they turn 21.