Until recently, foster youth “aged out” of foster care at age 18 -- one day they were 17, and the next day they were on their own. With few resources at their disposal, many struggled to make it. For too many, poverty or jail loomed. In 2009, a quarter of California’s “aged-out” foster youth experienced homelessness.
That grim outlook is brightening.
Since January 1, 2012, youth in foster care have been allowed the option to voluntarily remain in care up to age 21 under the auspices of After 18 (also known as AB12 or Extended Foster Care), enabling them to take on adult responsibilities in an incremental way. Eligible youth can continue getting help with their education and employment goals, and developing lasting relationships with caring adults.
Since January 1, 2012, youth in foster care have been allowed the option to voluntarily remain in care up to age 21 under the auspices of After 18 (also known as AB12 or Extended Foster Care), enabling them to take on adult responsibilities in an incremental way. Eligible youth can continue getting help with their education and employment goals, and developing lasting relationships with caring adults.
Crucially, they can do so while living in safe and affordable housing. The participant may continue living in the same setting they did before turning 18—or can choose another option, as long as it’s an approved or licensed foster care setting. Of our current participants, most chose supported independent living placements.
To be eligible for After 18, the particpant must be either continuing their education (finishing high school or GED, or enrolled in college or vocational education); or working at least 80 hours per month (or participating in a program to remove barriers to employment); or incapable of doing these due to a medical condition.
When given this support and security, participants can really shine. Consider two of our stars, Anthony and Christopher.
Anthony is a former foster youth who chose to participate in After 18 in January, 2012. With help from his CWS social worker and his WIB worker, he became a full-time employee of the City of Santa Maria on October 23, 2012. Anthony had been working part-time for the City; he had demonstrated his work ethic, customer service skills and commitment to doing a good job.
Christopher, another After 18 participant, is currently a freshman at UC Berkeley, where he lives in the dorms. He is majoring in Social Welfare with a minor in Ethnic Studies, and holds a 3.7 GPA. Christopher plans on attending law school after graduation.
Anthony is a former foster youth who chose to participate in After 18 in January, 2012. With help from his CWS social worker and his WIB worker, he became a full-time employee of the City of Santa Maria on October 23, 2012. Anthony had been working part-time for the City; he had demonstrated his work ethic, customer service skills and commitment to doing a good job.
Christopher, another After 18 participant, is currently a freshman at UC Berkeley, where he lives in the dorms. He is majoring in Social Welfare with a minor in Ethnic Studies, and holds a 3.7 GPA. Christopher plans on attending law school after graduation.
Anthony and Christopher are but two of 26 After 18 participants in Santa Barbara County. Most are participating as Non-Minor Dependents; one chose to re-enter after “opting out” at 18.
We expect that in the years to come, After 18 will help many former foster youth to attain improved educational outcomes, obtain secure housing, and fully engage in charting a satisfying and productive life trajectory. Society benefits too: based on a 2009 study, University of Washington researcher Mark Courtney estimates that supporting California foster youth after age 18 returns $2.41 for every public dollar committed. We are proud of our participants, and pleased that our services are working for them.
