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

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

Foster children aging out of the system and getting ready to transition out of foster care are in need of help. They need to be taught how to become independent adults that can provide for themselves. We hear too often how foster children that age out of the system, end back in the system of foster care as parents. It is up to us to provide these young people with the skills to be successful in life and to discontinue the cycle from their bio parents.

Young people need to learn how to be successful at a job. They have to learn how to work out conflicts, to get along with other employees, how to take direction from a boss, the importance of being on time, and so much more.

Bills... more

It is becoming that time of year, for young teens embarking on a life of young adulthood. For most young people this is a very exciting time for them, to start a new phase in their lives.

For a foster child, this mostly like is a very tough time for them. They have lived a life in a number of different foster homes, different caseworkers have come and gone. The system has been making decisions for them will be cutting the cord without any support. So, these children are starting the most important part of their life without a support system.

Each year about 20,000 of the nation’s foster children age out of the system.

These children... more

Missouri is struggling with trying to get healthcare extend for foster children until the age of 21 (click to read article).

In some states, foster children may remain in care until they turn 20 years old, as long as they attend school. One of the problems is that with some foster parents they do not have the room or they are unwilling to do the care after 18 years old. The reason is when a child turns 18 years old, they are an adult, so they cannot share a room with a child. In some case a foster family will have the child (or I guess in the eyes... more

The older children living in foster care are at such a disadvantage. When they age out of foster care, they lose so much. They do not have a home or family to return to, that is truly their own. Yes, in some case they will have their foster family to count on. This is not in every case, and sad to say I know of foster parents that believe the day they turn 18 years old their job stops. Can you imagine your children, starting out in life without you to count on, to fall back on, or just to be there for them? Can you imagine starting your young adult life without the support of your family?

Just because a child turns 18 does not mean that they still do not need guidance and support... more