Foster children turned loose when they turn 18

04:51 PM CST on Tuesday, December 28, 2004

By DAVID TARRANT / The Dallas Morning News

Each year, about 20,000 American teenagers "age out" of the foster care system, usually when they turn 18 years old. In Texas alone, the number is about 1,000. Right away, they lose their home, their medical benefits and the support of the foster-care system. They are released into a world for which they are little prepared and have little or no family support to fall back on for guidance.

A new book, On Their Own (Westview Press, $24.95), looks at 10 young people who spent their teenage years in foster care and how they managed, with varying degrees of success, to make their way in the real world.

Co-author Gary Stangler is the founding director of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, a foundation that seeks to expand awareness of the challenges facing young people after they leave foster care and to increase opportunities for them. From 1989 to 2000, Mr. Stangler served as director of social services for the state of Missouri, where he had legal responsibility for the well-being of 12,000 children in foster care. He recently spoke with us:

Who are these children who "age out" of foster care without getting adopted?

These are people who have been taken from their families by the state, through no fault of their own. Most come into the system as teenagers. It's terribly difficult to find foster families for kids at this age. Teenagers aren't the most lovable population. It's difficult to get adolescents adopted. Only about half are placed with foster families. The rest "age out" of group facilities.

Who are the young people you profile in your book?

Their stories range from someone who could be the poster child for success to someone who commits suicide at 18.

What do you hope to achieve by telling their stories?

To elevate the issue. Most children don't lose the support of their families when they turn 18. Families continue to help their children, whether through college or as they make their way in the world. Think about all the normal lessons of life: Where did you learn to tie a tie? Where did you learn to pay bills? From families. But a lot of these kids don't have families.

What has life typically been like for these young people?

Parental neglect is more common than outright physical abuse. That parental inability to care for them can often be traced to drug abuse and poverty. They've often had multiple placements in different foster homes. About 10 to 20 percent have been in trouble with the law. For young women, sexual abuse and molestation are all too common. They might have attended half-dozen schools. Their records often don't catch up with them. About half aren't even graduating from high school.

What is striking to me is their resilience and their aspirations. Against all odds, they aspire to have jobs and a normal family life.

What are their prospects after they turn 18?

Some states allow them to stay in the foster care system voluntarily. Some act like 18-year-olds and just say, "I'm out of here!" They come out of a system where all the decisions have been made for them. Sometimes they make bad decisions. But they don't have the normal support from families to help keep them on track. The risk of homelessness is high. About a quarter will be homeless. Others are couch surfing with friends and relatives.

Whose story touched you the most?

The story about Lamar and his older brothers. They were three brothers in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn and their mom was a crack addict. Now one is in prison, one is dead, and Lamar is successful. The story looks at why Lamar made it.

If people want to help, what can they do?

Support public and private programs that offer health and education benefits. A ... federal act, known as the Chafee Law, allows states to extend Medicaid coverage for foster youth until they are 21. The law also permits states to offer financial aid for education and job training.

For most people, I suggest they start off small. Every community has mentoring programs of some kind, such as Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America. There are many little ways to help – just helping kids fill out financial aid forms can be a big deal.

David Tarrant can be e-mailed at dtarrant@dallasnews.com

TO LEARN MORE

Transition Resource Action Center works to provide housing and other assistance to youths aging out of foster care. This is the only facility of its kind in North Texas targeting this group. Volunteers and financial assistance are welcome. For more information, go to www.traconline.org or call 214-370-9300.

Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, 222 S. Central Ave., Suite 305, Clayton, Mo., 63105. 314-863-7000 or www.jimcaseyyouth.org