Aging Out

At the average age of 18 foster kids are removed from the system and sent out into the world. After leaving the foster homes and be removed from the system that served as their family the new adults are almost suddenly faced with homelessness, dead-end jobs, and loneliness and despair, due to the lack of training and preparation of taking care of themselves. In 2002, “19,509 children aged out of foster care during FY 2002* in the United States.” (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report).Although this happens to some, others are helped by programs sponsored by the government. One of such programs is The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999.

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999

• Helps children prepare for adult life
• It says that states must give 20% of income to program
• The founds are spent depending on what state
• States must spend 30% of founds for housing for people 18-21 years of age
• States must make own plan for use of founding  and are given flexibility in choosing it

*FY 2002 is 10/1/01 through 9/30/02.