Articles

Substance use issues are a chronic and regular part of many young adults’ transition out of the foster care system and into adulthood. As many as 35% of youth in foster care use substances before the age of 18, according to statistics compiled by Casey Family Programs. By the time they leave the foster care […]

If you’re caring for a teen, chances are high they will soon have the option to either become independent or transition into extended foster care. Extended foster care is a voluntary program for young people who haven’t reunified with their family, been adopted or found another form of permanency by the time they turn 18. […]

A 2023 investigation by the child welfare news outlet The Imprint revealed that dozens of states lack formal policies to support foster youth and families with essential information for navigating puberty. A search of tens of thousands of pages of manuals revealed little or no mention of healthy relationships or sex education, let alone sensitive […]

B If you’re caring for a teen, chances are high they will soon have the option to either become independent or transition into extended foster care. Extended foster care is a voluntary program for young people who haven’t reunified with their family, been adopted or found another form of permanency by the time they turn […]

Being a teenager in 2024 is hard and comes with its share of challenges. Teens today must navigate social media, unchecked hormones, emotional intensity, peer relationships, time management and high school… to name just a few.  Teens in foster care have an additional set of challenges. Not only do they have complex and chronic trauma […]

As any good writer will tell you, the hardest part of writing is getting started. Whether it’s a poem, a letter, a magazine article or the dreaded college admissions essay, even experienced writers sometimes get stuck. But the truth is, it’s not all that difficult if you know how to start. I always begin with […]

There’s no question parenting can be a challenge. It’s also common knowledge that being a teenager is one of the most challenging and confusing times in a person’s life. Now, add in the difficulty of becoming a parent while still in foster care, and you have a situation that — if not handled well — […]

Being placed in foster care is traumatic enough for a child. Sadly, for far too many children, leaving the foster care system is even more traumatic. In many states, when a youth in care reaches the age of 18, the child “ages out” and begins the transition into the “real world.” At least two dozen […]