Oh, what a mix. Pregnant teenage foster girls are on the rise. Some teens coming into care are already expecting while others become pregnant while in foster care. This adds a whole new twist to foster care. Some states are trying to move away from maternity group home programs.

In most states (not all – check with your state) foster teenage mothers are required to have their own rooms that they can share with their baby. Just because you are fostering the teenage mother does not mean the infant is in foster care. Minor children living in foster care retain the same legal right to parent their children. In some states, foster parents do not get reimbursement for the infant that is... more

Teen foster care crisis continues to spiral out of control. The numbers of children aging out of foster care has jumped to 41 percent.

Between 1998 and 2005 more than 165,000 teens have aged out of the system. Nearly 25,000 in 2005 alone: This shows a devastating increase of more teens falling between the cracks.

They are left to face a harsh adult world as teens struggling with their own issues and demons from past abuse or neglect. We take them out of a world of drugs, abuse, or neglect in the hopes of giving them a chance at life, but we abandon them at the most critical time of their lives.

Foster teens that age out find themselves returning to the lifestyle... more

There are cases that children do not or most likely will not be adopted. In these cases, guardianship can be an option. Older foster children that do not want to be adopted, and want to have a stable home, then guardianship may be the best option.

The foster family must be willing to do long term care also. In some case the foster family has wanted to adopt the child but the child does not want to be adopted. Guardianship can be the answer for both parties. Parental rights do not have to be terminated, and they can still have rights for visitation in some cases.

For a foster child, this can keep her from living in the foster care system and moving from placement to... more

California has failed foster children aging out of the system, along with every other state in our nation. Why does this seem to be acceptable by society? Do we care enough to address the crisis that foster children are disregarded?

When our children turn the “ripe old age” of 18, do we show them the door, while telling them to have a nice life? I do not know of parents that do this to their children. As society we allow this to happen to thousands of children a year.

When someone turns 18 years old is this the magic age of responsibility when she can make life changing decisions? When I was 18, I... more

Imagine your child going off to college without the loving support of his or her family. Every year thousands of foster children aged out of the system will embark on the journey of going off to college. These children will attend college feeling scared, lonely and unsure of things. They do not have someone to give them moral support and listen to them when they have had a bad day. There is not anyone waiting back home to hear how school is going, send care packages, or love and support them.

Orphan Foundation of America supports and helps foster children attending college by sending care packages. What a wonderful way to... more

Nevada

Nevada ETV Program

You may be eligible for funding of up to $5000 per year while you are in college or a vocational or technical training program! You may qualify if: • You are 18, 19 or 20 years old. • You are in foster care or you were in foster care as a teenager and you are a US citizen or qualified non-citizen. • You aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday.

Haley Jarolimek Independent Living Coordinator/Specialist Division... more

Idaho

Idaho ETV Program You may be eligible for funding of up to $5000 per year while you are in college or a vocational or technical training program!

You may qualify if:

You are 18, 19 or 20 years old. You are in foster care or you were in foster care as a teenager and you are a US citizen or qualified non-citizen You aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday.

Lori Yellen IL Coordinator Idaho Department... more

New Mexico New Mexico ETV Program

You may be eligible for funding of up to $5000 per year while you are in college or a vocational or technical training program!

You may qualify if:

You are 18, 19 or 20 years old. You are in foster care or you were in foster care as a teenager and you are a US citizen or qualified non-citizen You aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday. You have been accepted into or are enrolled in a degree, certificate or other program at a college, university, technical or vocational school and you... more

Oklahoma ETV Program

You may be eligible for funding of up to $5000 per year while you are in college or a vocational or technical training program! You may qualify if:

You are 18, 19 or 20 years old. You are in foster care or you were in foster care as a teenager and you are a US citizen or qualified non-citizen You aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday. You have been accepted into or are enrolled in a degree, certificate or other program at a college, university, technical or vocational school and you show progress towards that... more

Texas

Texas ETV Program

You may be eligible for funding of up to $5000 per year while you are in college or a vocational or technical training program! You may qualify if: You are 18, 19 or 20 years old. You are in foster care or you were in foster care as a teenager and you are a US citizen or qualified non-citizen You aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday. You have been accepted into or are enrolled in a degree, certificate or other program at a college, university, technical or vocational... more