Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 Programs Implemented8 Intended or Unintended Results14 Suggestions for Improvements14 HowardSocial PolicyApril 25, 2000Foster Care Independence Act of 1999IntroductionBefore this bill was signed into law the FederalGovernment provided about $70 million per year to conductprograms for adolescents leaving foster care that aredesigned to help them establish independent living. Research and numerous reports from States conducting theseprograms indicate that adolescents leaving foster care donot fare well. As compared with other adolescents and youngadults their age, they are more likely to quit school, to beunemployed, to be on welfare, to have mental healthproblems, to be parents outside marriage, to be arrested, tobe homeless, and to be the victims of violence and othercrimes (Cook, 1991). The need for special help for youths ages 18 to 21 whohave left foster care must be recognized to understand whythe passage of this bill was so important. In the majorityof states, emancipation of a foster youth is not determinedby readiness, but happens by statute at 18 or uponattainment of a high school diploma or GED. Researchdemonstrates that young people who emancipate from thefoster care system experience great risk in terms ofemotional, economic, and physical safety. Like all youth intheir age bracket, they are more likely to be unemployed orunderemployed, with the additional burden of lesseducational achievement and opportunity. Young peoplereport that the transition to independence and expectedself-sufficiency is often very rapid, sometimes unplannedfor and unexpected , and results in their feeling “dumped”(Mech, 1994).To strengthen the system of support that contributes tothe safety of young people emancipating from the foster caresystem we must: Increase early and consistent access toindependent living preparation, especially opportunities forrealistic practice of employment and life sk...
