Many foster kids who age out of the system have very little to their name. They may have no savings, no belongings, and no support system. This is because they have often been moved from home to home and have not had the opportunity to build up their resources. They may also have experienced trauma, making it difficult for them to trust others and develop relationships.
There are a number of reasons why foster kids who age out of the system often have nothing. These reasons include:
- Lack of financial resources. Foster kids often do not have any savings or other financial resources. This is because they have not been able to work or earn money. They may also have had their savings depleted by the cost of moving from home to home.
- Lack of belongings. Foster kids often do not have any belongings of their own. This is because they have often been moved from home to home and have not had the opportunity to accumulate belongings. They may also have had their belongings lost or damaged during moves.
- Lack of a support system. Foster kids often do not have a support system when they age out of the system. This is because they have often been moved from home to home and have not had the opportunity to build relationships with adults who can support them. They may also have experienced trauma, making it difficult for them to trust others and develop relationships.
Aging Out Of The System
Foster kids who age out of the system are often at a high risk of homelessness, unemployment, and mental health problems. They need our help to succeed as adults.
When they age out of the foster care system, some kids get a small voucher for groceries, clothes in a plastic bag, medication in a Ziploc bag, and very little time at a halfway house.
But through the Foster Care Alumni of America, things are changing.
In Arizona, for instance, laws got changed so Foster kids with nothing and no family can stay in group homes or independent living facilities until the age of 24, as long as they’re working or going to school, or a mixture of both.
But now, a Democratic governor in a blue state has done something that is amazing. All foster kids in California can attend any state college for free. It covers tuition, room, and board for any foster child to attend any state university or community college.
Thanks to California’s Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat), who signed this into law, Foster kids who have nothing are getting a chance.